# EP 135: Talking Semiconductor Recruiting

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2025-09-29
- Length: 42m
- Episode: 137
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/400992e6

## Summary

Michael Cunningham, founder of Lonergan Partners, discusses the semiconductor recruitment landscape, highlighting a projected talent shortage driven by AI growth and reshoring efforts. He notes that while US fab capacity is growing, it remains a small fraction of global output, and companies are increasingly seeking leaders with deep technical and customer-facing skills. The conversation covers the shift in hiring from pure sales to solution-oriented roles, the importance of soft skills and ownership for career advancement, and advice for both entry-level engineers and executive leaders navigating the current market.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=6) Introduction: Michael Cunningham and Lonergan Partners
- [4:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=284) Macro Trends: AI Growth, Reshoring, and Talent Shortages
- [10:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=656) AI's Impact on Venture Capital and Semiconductor Startups
- [14:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=888) In-Demand Skills: Solution Selling and Analog Design
- [19:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=1199) Job Market Dynamics: Stagnation vs. Future Shortages
- [25:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=1518) Hyper Scalars and Non-Semiconductor Companies Hiring Talent
- [33:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=1997) Advice for Entry-Level Engineers and Rotational Programs
- [36:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2025-09-29-ep-135-talking-semiconductor-recruiting#t=2165) Advice for Senior Directors: Taking Ownership and Leadership

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Lonergan Partners (company)
- TSMC (company)
- Intel (company)
- NVIDIA (company)
- AMD (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- Synaptics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Education Panel: How to Expand the Semiconductor Industry Talent Pool](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2022-12-23-education-panel-how-to-expand-the-semiconductor-industry-talent-pool) (EE Times Current)
- [BONUS - IPC President and CEO John Mitchell on Talent Shortages at APEX 2023 - EMSNOW & SCOOP On Location](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2023-02-02-bonus-ipc-president-and-ceo-john-mitchell-on-talent-shortages-at-apex-2023-emsno) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Bonus Episode - The EMS (Eric Miscoll Show) - Talent: Attracting, Training, and Retaining it and Mitigating Scarcity](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-24-bonus-episode-the-ems-eric-miscoll-show-talent-attracting-training-and-retaining) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Inside IPC: John Mitchell on Building the Future Electronics Workforce in a Changing World](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-26-inside-ipc-john-mitchell-on-building-the-future-electronics-workforce-in-a-chang) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Navigating the Complexities of EMS Leadership and Growth with Amtech CEO Jay Patel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-26-navigating-the-complexities-of-ems-leadership-and-growth-with-amtech-ceo-jay-pat) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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