Could SK hynix Be Dramatically Expanding Its U.S. AI Organization? More Than Half of Hiring Focused on AI and Next-Generation Memory

[Financial News] SK hynix is accelerating efforts to expand its U.S. organization, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation memory. The company is broadening its talent search from AI data centers to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced packaging, while also building new technology and AI organizations. The move is seen as an effort to strengthen its local technology and customer-support capabilities amid plans to expand business touchpoints beyond memory supply to the broader AI systems and data center ecosystem. 
According to job postings from SK hynix America, SK hynix's U.S. sales subsidiary, 56 positions were publicly open as of the 6th. More than half were technical roles related to AI and next-generation memory, including AI, AI data centers, HBM, DRAM, NAND flash memory, advanced packaging, and AI research centers.  
The formation of new AI and technology organizations is picking up speed. SK hynix America is separately hiring HR personnel responsible for organizational design, determining staffing levels, and recruiting key executives and senior-level talent as it builds several new technology and AI organizations. It is also recruiting specialized talent acquisition staff to hire technical professionals, including AI researchers, machine-learning engineers, and semiconductor and hardware experts.  
Recruitment is expanding beyond existing memory research and development into AI data centers. SK hynix America is hiring a technical lead to oversee the design and operation of a 1–5-megawatt (MW) AI data center testbed being developed in the United States. The role involves designing system architecture spanning computing, memory, networking, and storage, as well as validating external hardware and software. The company is also recruiting personnel for AI data center business strategy and business development. These hires align with SK hynix's goal of expanding its business beyond memory supply into the AI data center ecosystem. In January this year, SK hynix announced plans to reorganize its existing Solidigm entity and establish an 'AI Company' in the United States, with an investment of up to $10 billion. Through the AI Company, it is expected to invest in and collaborate with U.S. AI technology companies. Initially, the company is expected to focus on securing design and software technologies that improve AI system performance and efficiency before expanding investment across the broader data center ecosystem. 
In HBM, a core business area, the company is strengthening close support for major U.S. customers. On-site HBM technical support personnel are assigned to major customers and support quality management and stabilization for both current-generation products and next-generation HBM. They will respond to customer-specific specifications and new HBM projects, coordinate product road maps, and connect the company's Korean headquarters with customer projects. 
An industry source said, "The AI semiconductor competition is expanding beyond the performance of memory products themselves to system optimization and customer-specific technical support. As it becomes increasingly important for memory companies to strengthen their customer-response capabilities through both research and development and hiring in the United States, where major Big Tech customers are concentrated, they appear to be continuing to recruit." 
Meanwhile, SK hynix is also taking steps to expand its business ties with the U.S. government and defense sectors. SK hynix America recently began recruiting a project leader in West Lafayette, Indiana, to oversee technical cooperation on U.S. defense projects. The position involves working with U.S. government and defense authorities, complying with defense procurement and security regulations, and preparing project proposals. If necessary in the future, the role will also include preliminary preparations for establishing and operating a separate entity designed to mitigate Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI). 
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