Applied Materials plans to hire approximately 1,000 workers across Southeast Asia in 2026, representing a 25% increase in the region's workforce. The expansion will focus primarily on Singapore, a major hub for chip packaging equipment manufacturing.
The U.S. semiconductor equipment manufacturer is ramping up operations in Southeast Asia as demand for chip packaging and assembly services grows. Singapore, already established as a critical center for packaging equipment production, will receive the bulk of new hires.
The 1,000-person expansion reflects broader industry trends. Chipmakers and equipment suppliers are diversifying manufacturing and operations away from traditional hubs, with Southeast Asia becoming increasingly central to semiconductor supply chains.
Applied Materials' move aligns with regional investments by other major tech firms seeking to strengthen supply chain resilience and tap growing demand in Asia-Pacific markets. The company has not specified exact roles or detailed timelines beyond the 2026 target, but the scale of hiring suggests investment across engineering, operations, and support functions.
The expansion underscores Singapore's continued importance in the semiconductor ecosystem despite global competition for tech talent and manufacturing capacity.
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