Ex-Apple Chip Engineer Joins China’s Silicon Manufacturing Efforts After Seven-Year Tenure at the Tech Giant

China is launching extensive initiatives to strengthen its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, notably with plans to begin trial production using in-house extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines later this year. This industrial momentum has led skilled engineers who previously sought employment abroad—with some finding positions at renowned companies like Apple—to return to their homeland. Among these returning talents is a former Apple engineer with expertise in wireless semiconductors. His decision to leave follows the resignation of another engineer whose contributions were crucial in developing the M3 and M4 chips that power a range of Apple devices, including Macs and iPads.

Kong Long: From Apple to Academia

The engineer transitioning back to China is Kong Long, who has recently joined the Fudan University School of Microelectronics as a researcher and doctoral advisor. As reported by the South China Morning Post, Kong will focus on various areas, including radio frequency integrated circuit (IC) system design, digital-analog hybrid computing chips, and high-speed data interface ICs. This move signifies a return to his roots and a commitment to advancing China’s tech landscape.

Kong’s academic credentials are impressive. He graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University with a degree in microelectronics and went on to earn a PhD in electrical engineering from UCLA in 2016. His professional journey began at Oracle, where he excelled as a hardware engineer. During his tenure at Apple, he played a vital role in developing radio frequency chips that integrated into flagship products such as the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. This return highlights a growing trend of engineers leaving prominent tech companies in search of opportunities that align with national strategic goals.

The Broader Trend of Returning Talent

Kong Long is not alone in this trend. Another former Apple employee, Wang Huanyu, recently accepted a position at the School of Integrated Circuits at Huazhong University of Science and Technology after working on Apple’s M3 and M4 custom SoCs. Wang departed Apple in December following a three-year tenure as an implementation engineer focused on central processing units. While it remains unclear whether these engineers faced pressure to return or chose to resign voluntarily, it’s evident that a significant number of Chinese-born professionals are relocating back to China.

The geopolitical landscape, particularly under the Trump administration’s stringent controls aimed at curbing China’s semiconductor progress, may have influenced this shift. It’s plausible that these engineers encountered increased scrutiny regarding their loyalties, prompting them to leave lucrative roles at Apple to contribute to their home country’s aspirations in tech innovation.

As China amplifies its efforts to become a dominant force in chip manufacturing, the influx of skilled professionals returning home may prove instrumental in achieving self-sufficiency and technological independence across various industries.

News Source: South China Morning Post

Source&Images