By Kim Yoo-chul
Huawei Technologies is hiring seasoned technicians and engineers from Samsung Electronics, offering fat paychecks and perks to lure talent to China.
The Chinese firm was chasing experts in design for user experience (UX), as well as chip design, sources said Tuesday.
“A number of Samsung UX designers, as well as experienced chip designers, have joined Huawei,” a source said. “They were offered better paychecks and independence in new roles at the Chinese company.”
They were now in charge of developing user interface and UX systems to be used in Huawei's flagship smartphone models, the source said. Some were developing Huawei's in-house chips, from modem and mobile chips to processors.
“Talented Samsung workers are being sought by Chinese companies as they have a good command of English and are mission-oriented," another source said.
Huawei hopes the workers from Samsung will help build better systems and content for their next devices.
“As Huawei is still pushing to grow its smartphone business, the Chinese company needs patents and experts in related technologies,” the source said. “Top human resources firms have been approaching Samsung’s chip and design experts. Such human exchange moves are a win-win for both.”
Along with Xiaomi, Huawei is posing a threat to Samsung Electronics in smartphones.
Samsung was the world's biggest smartphone maker last year, with Huawei capturing the No. 4 title. But the market gap has narrowed compared with previous years.
Huawei is competing with Samsung in the race to develop next-generation mobile chipsets as Huawei has partnered with Qualcomm to supply. Huawei also aims to create its own mobile system, from handsets to network gear.
In Korea, Huawei is seeking a stake in government-initiated projects to deploy public safety networks across the country, in the wake of last year's ferry disaster.
Samsung partnered with KT to win the contract on a turnkey basis ― from manufacturing to maintenance.
Last year, Huawei, the world's No. 2 telecoms equipment maker, said its net profit was about $4.5 billion, an increase of 21 percent from the previous year, despite challenges in several major economies.
“As Samsung seeks a multi-vendor strategy, its partnership with Huawei will be improving as Huawei is spending heavily on cloud computing and fifth-generation mobile technology, which Samsung also identified as its next growth engine," sources said.
Samsung Electronics declined to comment. A spokeswoman at Huawei Korea said it did not comment on human resources-related issues.