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A very large scale market for microchips VLSI is engineer-speak for "Very Large Scale Integration." It's the process of integrating a multitude of transistors on the tiny silicon memory chips used in computers, mobile phones and video games. Founded in 1979, VLSI initially supplied the PC market; but over the years, its product line has grown considerably. In 1990 VLSI shifted its focus to the development of custom and semi-custom integrated circuits (ICs). Today, the engineers at VLSI Technology design and manufacture ICs for digital, wireless, networking and advanced computing markets. In June 1999, VLSI was acquired by the Netherlands' Royal Philips Electronics for about $1 billion. The chips you want VLSI provides manufacturers with custom-tailored chips, allowing manufacturers to spend less time developing such technology and to get to their products to the market faster. VLSI's customers deal with digital entertainment, wireless technologies, networking, and advanced computing applications. Through strategic alliances, VLSI intends to become "the manufacturing partner of choice" for the leaders in each of these markets. A recent strategic alliance with Macronix, in September 1998, took VLSI firmly into the flash memory market. Flash memory chips allow memory to be quickly erased and reprogrammed, and are used in small handheld devices such as cell phones and digital cameras. Tough times in chipland The semiconductor industry has also had a few rough years. Losses caused by the faltering semiconductor market in 1996 were compounded by problems at Apple, one of the company's biggest customers. VLSI was forced to shut down its San Jose manufacturing facility in 1997. In 1998, the company consolidated its Hong Kong and Korean operations into a single Asian office located in Taipei, Taiwan. In January 1999, VLSI disengaged from an intended project to build a semiconductor manufacturing facility (fab) in Malaysia. Getting up to speed with Velocity In 1998, VLSI embarked upon a group of rapid silicon prototyping products it dubbed Velocity. Velocity aims to reduce development time in target markets such as set-top boxes for cable, data security coprocessor chips (a joint venture with 3Com), and audio integrated circuits for the consumer market. Going to Amsterdam In March 1999, Netherlands-based Philips Electronics announced its intention to make a hostile takeover bid for the company. Negotiations resulted in Philip's agreement to buy VLSI for about $1 billion in cash. In June 1999, VLSI became a subsidiary of Philips Electronics. Philips hopes to harness VLSI's chipset technology to strengthen its position in the CDMA (code-division multiple access) market, which is seen as the next cellular standard. Under the influential Philips' umbrella, VLSI should help position the new alliance as the number one supplier of semiconductors for cell phones.
The employment section on VLSI's home page lists available positions and contact information. It also posts a list of its college recruiting schedule in the "University Relations" section. Resumes may be sent via e-mail or snail mail to the attention of the specific human resources person indicated in each listing. After recent layoffs, the company is in a temporary hiring freeze, but "things are expected to pick up soon," and during normal times, "we are always looking for engineers," said one source. Expect "a full day" of hour-long interviews with "a team leader, two or three engineers, a senior-level guy, and someone from HR." The selection process is "very competitive" and "engineering interviews tend to be grueling and technical," but insiders promise that "they don't grill you." "It's not an exam," one remarked, "so you don't have to know everything." Sources say to "make sure you have a detailed, informational resume that highlights specific projects you have worked on." They stress the importance of "listing exactly what you did, nothing more, nothing less," and specifically warn applicants to be completely honest with their resumes. They will find out if your "incredible resume is mostly bull." Interviewers "do not follow a standard format, nor do they ask you a fixed set of questions like some companies do." They "basically go through your resume and try to get you talking about your projects." Interviewers seek "insight into how you approach problems and use your analytical skills." Recent graduates in technical specialties will typically be asked about "basic digital design questions." One recent interviewee estimated "On the scale of 1 to 10 stress levels, I'd give VLSI a 5 or 6."
Known to those in the know It's true that "a lot of people have never heard of VLSI Technology," but those who need to know have; and "if you want to be on the cutting edge," of the industry, insiders say working at VLSI is "a great idea." The corporate culture "is a little bit on the conservative side," but the people are "bright and talented," and "genuinely interested in helping each other." For many, the best part is getting the "insight on what is to come in electronics and its applications." Coding and dress code For engineers and the tech community the dress code is business casual, which means "no shorts and sandals" like in other high-tech shops. "In other words," suggests one insider, "comfortable attire left to the good judgment of the employee based on what demands are on his or her schedule. At work on a normal day, I wear a sports shirt and casual pants. On Fridays, a lot of us wear jeans." Sources say the culture is "a little more relaxed" in the company's smaller offices, and more businesslike at the San Jose headquarters, San Antonio(the main manufacturing center) and Tempe sites. Pay, perks Pay and benefits are "quite competitive," and "commensurate with your skills." Official hours are "8 to 5 - unless you are working in the assembly area," where they have different 8 or 12 hour shifts. (Most offices are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.) VLSIers are "generally expected to work as long as it takes to get the work done," which may mean "30 hours one week, 60 hours the next." In general, however, "very few people work long weeks for extended periods unless they want to." And when they do, "the company notices and rewards you." The company has no required overtime, though "there are always 'panic situations' that require extra hours." Management is reportedly "usually pretty good about letting you take comp time later - if you ask for it." Some notable benefits VLSI offers the standard benefits, including medical, a 401(k) plan, and stock purchase plans. Families and dependents are covered under these benefits. Two of the company's incentive programs have the engineers raving. For the first, employees receive $5000 for filing a patent and $5000 more if the product is accepted by the U. S. patent office. As part of VLSI's "Impact" program, workers get $200 for relinquishing rights to an idea for development of a new product. Another bonus: insiders get "a sabbatical of four weeks or longer every five years." VLSI sometimes gives stock options to high-performing groups. A multicultural organization Because VLSI is an electronics firm headquartered in San Jose, "there are probably more minorities here than in your average organization." Women have "fairly decent representation" overall, though "the smaller offices are mostly male, except for sales and administrative staff." Insiders say they have noticed "an increase in the female workforce over the past few years." One insider asserts "San Jose and San Antonio are very multicultural communities. Being minority, in my opinion, has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on whether or not one is successful here."
Art Gemmell Human Resources
Microprocessors
NEC More Company Profiles For more career information, go to Vault.com ©2000, Vault.com Inc
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