As DRAM takes off for Samsung and SK hynix, even “super suppliers” ramp up hiring

As Samsung Electronics and SK hynix ramped up investment in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM, the South Korean workforces of three global semiconductor equipment makers—ASML, Lam Research and Tokyo Electron (TEL)—grew by more than 2,500 in just three years.
These companies, known as “super suppliers” for their essential equipment and technological expertise, are major equipment suppliers to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. As equipment supplies expanded and demand grew for technical staff to support production operations, the memory boom led to an increase in employment in South Korea.

According to semiconductor industry sources on the 3rd, the combined number of employees in South Korea at three major global semiconductor equipment makers—including ASML, Lam Research and TEL—stood at 7,800 this year. Compared with 5,300 in 2023, when the memory semiconductor downturn was at its worst, the total rose by 2,500 in three years, bringing employment in the sector in South Korea alone to 1.5 times its previous size.
Among the companies, US-based etching and deposition equipment maker Lam Research saw the sharpest increase in its South Korean workforce, from 1,500 in 2023 to 2,600 this year. Dutch extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment maker ASML and Japan’s Tokyo Electron also added about 800 and 600 employees, respectively, bringing their South Korean workforces to 2,800 and 2,400.


The expansion of global equipment makers’ workforces in the South Korean market is tied to increased capital investment by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. As the two companies expand production capacity for HBM and high-value-added DRAM, demand is growing not only for equipment supplies but also for technical staff to support production operations.
Even after semiconductor equipment is delivered, processes must be optimized for the customer’s production line, and maintenance and performance upgrades must be carried out continuously. As technology becomes more demanding with the shift to finer processes and the expansion of HBM production, demand is also growing for engineers to provide technical support at production sites in South Korea, including those of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
An industry official said, “The expansion of global equipment makers’ workforces is a sign that memory makers’ DRAM investments are translating into actual equipment orders.” The official added, “Since field engineers remain necessary for installation, setup and maintenance even after equipment arrives, equipment makers are expected to continue expanding their workforces.”
[email protected] Lim Su-bin, Park Ji-yeon Reporter