SK Hynix creates Master title, highest position among field hands

SK Hynix Inc. said on Monday that it has newly established a "master" position, which is the highest level among field workers who repair and maintain semiconductor equipment in the production plant.

The master will act as a guru at the semiconductor production site of the world’s second-largest memory chipmaker. Once selected as a master, they will pass on the knowledge gained in the field to their juniors and serve as an advisor to recommend solutions to various problems on the shop floor.

They are also responsible for documenting long-standing know-how, turning it into codified knowledge, and giving advice to the top management when making important decisions.

Masters have no retirement age. Each person's experience assets can be passed on to the organization and its members for a long time. Masters are selected from a pool of high-caliber technical staff with the best technological capability and then vetted through several rounds of interviews and final deliberation by top executives including the CEO.

SK Hynix said that the company would provide the master with honor and treatment commensurate with the position.

"This measure was taken in consideration of the importance of on-site talent. We introduced the new title to motivate our members and meet their personal growth needs," said an official of SK Hynix.

Write to Sungsu Bae at baebae@hankyung.com