HCLTech, Japan’s Rapidus open two semiconductor engineering centres in India

HCLTech and Japan’s Rapidus Corporation have inaugurated two semiconductor engineering development centres in India as part of a partnership to support the Japanese company’s next-generation semiconductor technology requirements.

The centres, located in Bengaluru and Hubli, Karnataka, will provide engineering capabilities spanning mask design, design infrastructure, process design kit development, design technology co-optimisation and layout design, HCLTech said in a statement on Monday.

The partnership will also focus on building a pipeline of Indian engineering talent to meet Rapidus’ evolving workforce requirements in Japan. The companies did not disclose the financial details of the partnership or the number of engineers expected to be hired.

Rapidus is a Japanese company developing and manufacturing advanced logic semiconductors, with a focus on next-generation chip technologies.

Focus on semiconductor engineering and talent

“Building a strong engineering ecosystem is essential as Rapidus advances our mission to establish next-generation semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in Japan,” said Atsuyoshi Koike, representative director and chief executive officer of Rapidus Corporation.

“Through this collaboration with HCLTech, we expect to access India’s growing pool of semiconductor engineering talent and establish dedicated development capabilities that complement our operations in Japan,” Koike said.

He added that the companies would work together to develop the technical expertise and resources required to support Rapidus’ long-term objectives.

HCLTech CEO and managing director C Vijayakumar said the partnership reflects growing strategic collaboration between India and Japan in the semiconductor sector.

“Advanced semiconductors will define the technologies of the next decade,” Vijayakumar said. The partnership would bring together Rapidus’ next-generation semiconductor ambitions and HCLTech’s engineering expertise to accelerate chip adoption and shorten time-to-market, he added.

The collaboration is aimed at supporting semiconductor engineering requirements through dedicated development capabilities in India, while helping Rapidus build the talent base needed for its operations in Japan.

HCLTech’s engineering capabilities

HCLTech, which operates across more than 60 countries and employs over 230,000 people, provides technology services and products across areas including engineering, artificial intelligence, cloud and digital transformation.

The company reported consolidated revenue of $14.8 billion for the 12 months ended September 2026, according to the release.

Rapidus aims to develop and manufacture advanced logic semiconductors. Its stated areas of focus include shortening development cycles in chip design, wafer processing and 3D packaging.