In-Demand Semiconductor & Engineering Roles in Vietnam: What Companies & Workers Must Prepare For

This article is written in English for readers in Vietnam. Vietnamese and Japanese translations are available on our website. 

Vietnam’s Engineering & Semiconductor Talent Landscape Is Growing Fast

Vietnam’s position in Asia’s high-tech economy is strengthening. As global manufacturers diversify from single-market production, Vietnam has become one of the top destinations for advanced manufacturing, electronics, and component engineering.

While Vietnam’s semiconductor ecosystem is still developing, companies in electronics, automation, robotics, and precision manufacturing are already hiring for roles that closely mirror semiconductor job families. These skill sets form the foundation of future chip-related capabilities.

This article outlines the most in-demand engineering roles for 2025–2026, what companies must prepare for, and what Vietnamese professionals can do to stay competitive in the country’s fast-evolving high-tech landscape.

1. Production & Process Engineers Are in High Demand

As manufacturing volumes increase across Vietnam, companies require engineers who can manage production efficiency, process design, and quality control.

Companies are hiring engineers who can:

• Optimise production lines

• Improve yields and reduce defects

• Implement lean manufacturing principles

• Maintain stable, high-volume production

• Coordinate with R&D or global engineering teams

Why demand is rising:

• Vietnam’s major manufacturing clusters—from Ho Chi Minh City to Bac Ninh—are expanding rapidly, creating consistent hiring momentum for production talent.

2. Equipment & Maintenance Engineers Are Critical for Operations Stability

Equipment engineering roles are central to both electronics and future semiconductor capability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Installing, calibrating, and maintaining machines

• Troubleshooting equipment failures

• Improving machine reliability and uptime

• Managing spare parts and preventive maintenance schedules

Demand drivers:

• Vietnam’s high-tech parks across HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, and Hai Phong continue to attract multinational manufacturers, increasing the need for equipment specialists.

3. Automation & Robotics Engineers Lead Vietnam’s Smart Manufacturing Transition

Automation investment in Vietnam has increased significantly as companies adopt Industry 4.0 practices.

Companies are seeking talent with:

• PLC/SCADA programming knowledge

• Robotics integration experience

• Industrial automation design

• Machine vision and inspection system skills

• Experience with digital manufacturing tools

Why this matters:

• Automation engineers are essential as factories modernise for higher efficiency and accuracy.

4. Testing, Quality & Reliability Engineering Roles Continue to Grow

Electronics and component manufacturers require engineers who ensure product reliability and compliance with global standards.

High-demand skills include:

• Quality inspection and testing

• Failure analysis

• Reliability and performance evaluation

• Managing documentation for audits and certifications

These roles align closely with semiconductor testing and QA functions.

5. Industrial Software, Control Systems & AI-Driven Engineering Roles Are Emerging

Vietnam’s engineering sector is becoming more software-enabled.

Companies are hiring engineers with skills in:

• PLC programming

• Industrial control systems

• SCADA/MES

• Data analysis for production

• AI-based inspection systems

• Predictive maintenance technologies

These hybrid roles reflect a shift toward software + engineering capabilities.

6. Cross-Cultural & Bilingual Engineering Talent Is Increasingly Valuable

Many multinational firms in Vietnam coordinate daily with teams in:

• Japan

• Korea

• Singapore

• Europe

• United States

Companies prefer engineers who can:

• Communicate professionally in English or Japanese

• Work with overseas headquarters

• Handle multi-country projects

• Understand global production standards

This cross-cultural capability is a key differentiator in Vietnam’s engineering market.

What These Trends Mean for Employers

Vietnamese companies and multinational manufacturers should prepare for:

a) Stronger competition for experienced engineers

• Especially in automation, quality, and equipment roles.

b) Higher expectations for training & career development

• Engineers want clear learning pathways, mentorship, and exposure to modern technologies.

c) Rising need for hybrid talent

• AI, automation, and data integration skills are becoming essential.

d) Stronger employer branding

• Companies that highlight innovation, technology investment, and career progression attract the best talent.

What Vietnamese Engineers Should Do to Stay Competitive

✔ Strengthen technical fundamentals

• Automation, PLCs, testing, production engineering.

✔ Build hybrid engineering capabilities

• Robotics + data

• Process engineering + AI tools

• Maintenance + predictive analytics

✔ Learn cross-cultural communication

• Experience working with Japan, Korea, Singapore, or global teams is a major advantage.

✔ Take courses in AI, automation, or industrial software

• These skill sets align with emerging semiconductor trends.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What engineering roles are most in demand in Vietnam for 2025–2026?

Production, process, equipment, automation, testing, quality, and industrial control engineering roles remain the most sought after.

2. Are semiconductor roles already available in Vietnam?

Yes, but indirectly — companies hiring for electronics and automation roles are the first step toward deeper semiconductor capability.

3. Why are global companies investing in Vietnam?

They value Vietnam’s stable operations, competitive costs, skilled workforce, and growing high-tech infrastructure.

4. Will engineering salaries increase?

Engineering roles with automation, robotics, or advanced technical skills are seeing stronger premiums due to limited supply.

5. Do companies need English-speaking or bilingual engineers?

Yes. Multinational firms require engineers who can work with teams in Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the US.

✅ Final Author Credit

• By Valerie Ong (Regional Marketing Manager)

• Published by Reeracoen Vietnam — a leading recruitment agency in APAC.

🔗 Related Articles 

• Vietnam’s Growing Semiconductor Potential: What Global Investors and Companies Need to Know

• Southeast Asia Pay Outlook 2026 – How Vietnam Compares

References

• Ministry of Planning and Investment (Vietnam)

• High-Tech Park development updates

• Vietnam manufacturing and electronics reports

• Reeracoen Vietnam insights

• Regional engineering and talent research