India's semiconductor design Global Capability Centers (GCCs) have hit a temporary roadblock, with job openings declining by 15% in the 2024-25 fiscal year according to a recent report by talent solutions provider Careernet.
The report reveals that open positions peaked at 3,760 in May 2024 before gradually tapering to 3,040 by January 2025, closing the year at 3,181 in March 2025. This represents a measured slowdown across India's top 50 semiconductor design GCCs, reflecting cautious hiring strategies amid market uncertainties.
Geopolitical tensions have emerged as a primary factor behind this hiring deceleration. The ongoing US-China trade war has led to heightened export controls on advanced semiconductor technologies, disrupting the global semiconductor ecosystem. Additionally, supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic continue to influence industry decision-making, with companies adopting more conservative approaches to expansion.
Despite these challenges, the report highlights resilient demand for niche skills in Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI), embedded systems, and RF/analog design. The intellectual property (IP) design sub-sector, which focuses on developing specialized chip components and reusable design blocks, continues to demonstrate strong demand. Mid-sized GCCs have shown greater hiring agility compared to larger organizations.
Industry experts remain optimistic about the medium to long-term outlook. "Increased global focus on semiconductor supply chain resilience, combined with strategic Indian government initiatives to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing and design capabilities, is expected to catalyze a more robust growth trajectory for semiconductor design jobs in the coming years," noted a spokesperson from Careernet.
India's semiconductor design GCC ecosystem comprises over 180 organizations, with 70 large, mid-size, and startup players employing 1.1 lakh professionals as of H1 2024. The country accounts for approximately 20% of the world's chip design talent, positioning it well for future growth as global semiconductor demand continues to rise, with the industry projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030.