Applied Materials to add 1,000 jobs in Singapore amid AI chip demand

Applied Materials expects to create 1,000 new jobs in Singapore over the next few years as it ramps up manufacturing and research operations to meet surging global demand for advanced chips fuelled by artificial intelligence. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong announced the expansion at the opening of the company's new Tampines Industrial Crescent facility on June 10.

The US-headquartered semiconductor equipment maker is scaling up across manufacturing, R&D, headquarters functions, and field services. DPM Gan, who also serves as Minister for Trade and Industry, said the new roles are "good jobs" that will allow Singaporeans to work on frontier technologies and gain exposure to global operations. Applied Materials is also expanding its internship programme to 100 placements annually by 2027.

The expansion signals how deeply AI-driven semiconductor demand is reshaping Singapore's manufacturing landscape. As global chipmakers race to produce more powerful processors for AI workloads, equipment suppliers like Applied Materials are investing heavily in production capacity close to their customer bases across Asia. Singapore's position as a semiconductor manufacturing hub puts it in a strong position to capture this wave of investment.

Why it matters for Singapore: The 1,000-job commitment reinforces Singapore's role in the global AI chip supply chain at a time when AI infrastructure investment is accelerating worldwide. It also aligns with the government's push to create quality tech jobs for Singaporeans, as outlined in the Smart Nation initiative. DPM Gan's presence at the launch underscores how semiconductor manufacturing — and AI-driven demand specifically — remains a strategic priority for Singapore's economic development.