• The semiconductor sector has become a strategic pillar of the global economy. Without chips, there would be no mobile phones, computers, electric cars or artificial intelligence.

The semiconductor sector has become a strategic pillar of the global economy. Without chips, there would be no mobile phones, computers, electric cars or artificial intelligence. In 2023, the industry exceeded £520 billion in turnover, but its production remains highly concentrated in Asia, with Taiwan and South Korea leading the way. This dependence has led the United States and the European Union to approve multi-million pound plans, such as the Chips Act, to regain technological sovereignty.

Spain wants to join this race with the PERTE Chip, endowed with €12 billion, and Valencia is emerging as one of the key hubs thanks to its concentration of talent and companies in microelectronics and integrated photonics. Multinationals and university spin-offs coexist in an expanding ecosystem, but one that has a common problem: a lack of specialised profiles in a global market that competes for engineers and doctors with salaries, working conditions and cutting-edge projects.

‘It’s a sector that is sorely lacking in talent,’ acknowledges Isabel Pulido, head of HR for EMEA at MaxLinear. ‘Everything related to artificial intelligence is booming. It’s a very sexy sector, and we’re not sexy at all. So, a lot of talent is being drawn away, and we’re unknown. I always say that it was great that Intel came up with the idea of putting a sticker on the computer, because then everyone knew the company existed. We’re also inside many devices, but no one knows us.’

Isabel Pulido, head of HR para EMEA en MaxLinear. Fotos: EDUARDO MANZANA (Valencia Plaza)

Recruitment from university

MaxLinear has a staff of 115 people in Valencia, and its recruitment strategy largely involves local universities. “A large part of our workforce comes from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the University of Valencia. We offer nine-month scholarships so that students can learn, see if there is a match, and then join the company. Almost all junior profiles come from there,” explains Pulido.

The company mainly seeks telecommunications, electronic, computer, mathematical and physics engineers. “What we do is cover the entire communications environment, because we end up developing chips. We need people who understand telecommunications systems and who, from there, can apply software. In Spain, there is enough talent to design a complete chip, and that is something complicated,‘ he stresses. ’We also have many PhDs with a strategy for that part of research and people who are used to being ahead of the curve.”

Eduardo Selma, HR manager at VLC-Photonics, agrees on the value of the university pool: “Being at the UPV, we do have those junior vacancies covered with master’s degrees, professorships and scholarship programmes. The talent coming out in integrated photonics is very good. It’s not so much about training them as retaining them, because many end up leaving to do PhDs or work at international universities.”

Global competition and scarce profiles

The challenge becomes more complicated when it comes to finding professionals with more experience. ‘When you need highly skilled profiles, we look abroad. A few years ago, we started with visas in South America. We also look in Germany, England and Sweden,’ says Pulido. However, mobility has its limits. ‘It’s difficult to attract people because when you’re looking for someone with experience, you’re talking to someone with a family and a support network. Although Valencia is becoming increasingly attractive, it’s not easy to bring these people here.’

At VLC-Photonics, the strategy is similar. “We do find mid-level professionals in Spain, but for senior positions we rely heavily on international agreements. The last employee we brought in from abroad is Canadian. We also have synergies with Hitachi High-Tech India, which helps us find profiles there, and we send people from here to return after a few years,” explains Selma, who points to the country’s strengths in training this talent.

Eduardo Selma, HR manager de VLC Photonics. Fotos: EDUARDO MANZANA (Valencia Plaza)

Representatives from both companies acknowledge that some disciplines are particularly complicated. “The analogue and digital aspects are difficult to cover. Young people see it as something old-fashioned, but it remains key. System and system communications profiles are also very complex,‘ warns Pulido. Selma adds that, in integrated photonics, specialisation makes the market even narrower. ’If the semiconductor market is a niche market, photonics is even more so,” she points out.

Salaries and working conditions

Financial incentives are a key factor, but not the only one. At MaxLinear, starting salaries are attractive: ‘Someone coming out of university will earn between €35,000 and €40,000. The range increases for more senior and specialised profiles, in addition to bonuses and company shares,’ says Pulido.

At VLC-Photonics, they have opted for work-life balance and flexibility policies. ‘We have had a 36-hour working week for three years, which allows us to have Fridays off,’ explains Selma. ‘Designers can telework, and that forces us to compete with American or Swiss companies that hire engineers from Spain. As we cannot always match salaries, we focus on engagement and satisfaction.’

MaxLinear, for its part, has taken a counterintuitive decision: to limit teleworking. ‘These are sectors where innovation is important, in contact, and problems must be solved immediately. Being together is key,’ argues Pulido, although he admits that on some occasions it makes it difficult to attract international talent.

There is also turnover in companies in the sector. “This occurs in the most junior university and media positions. In the Spanish market, it is true that it moves around Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, and we have turnover between companies in the sector. Some days you remember your competitors,‘ jokes Pulido. ’But it’s normal. It’s a mobile market.‘ Meanwhile, Selma points out the high turnover of junior profiles. ’They come in very demanding and jump around a lot, but we’ve come to terms with it.”

Commitment to the Valencian hub

Both Pulido and Selma agree on the importance of strengthening the local ecosystem. The creation of a campus of excellence in semiconductors in Valencia is seen as an opportunity to attract and retain talent. ‘The more infrastructure you have, the more you attract. If you create an environment, you attract professionals and put yourself on the map,’ says Pulido.

Selma adds that Spain is well positioned, but cannot keep up with demand. ‘It has grown a lot in the last three or four years. Universities are investing heavily in photonics and semiconductors, but they graduate from their master’s degrees and we already lack candidates. That hub is critical for the future.’

Meanwhile, companies are looking for ways to spark interest in the field. ‘A few years ago, we started holding open days at secondary schools. We participate in STEM programmes because it’s essential that people know about us and what we do in this sector,’ explains Pulido. VLC-Photonics also works to raise awareness. ‘We go to secondary schools and teach students about light and photonics. Often, these students don’t end up working with us, but we help to generate interest and vocations,’ says Selma.