Hyundai Motor to add 10,000 IT experts for software development: ICT chief

Hyundai Motor Co. will add 10,000 software experts to secure the world’s leading IT technology for better response to rapid shift in mobility technology, said its vice president of ICT innovation Jin Eun-sook.

“Hyundai Motor currently is in need of deep understanding of the IT industry and related experts. The company needs at least 10,000 software engineers,” Jin said in her recent, written interview with Maeil Business Newspaper.

Jin served as chief technology officer of the country’s leading game and online service provider NHN Corp. earlier and newly joined Hyundai Motor as a vice president since the beginning of the year.

Finished carmakers have turned aggressive in expansion in IT staffing as the global mobility industry is rapidly moving towards vehicle electrification and autonomous driving. Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Toyota and Stellantis announced their plan to increase IT staffing by thousands to 10,000 through 2025. Joining the move, Hyundai Motor also is pushing ahead with a strategy to add software experts by 20 percent per year.

Jin Eun-sook

However, staffing is not everything, Jin said. Changes in product development mindset and corporate culture are necessary to cope with a rapid shift toward true mobility technology firm, said Jin, citing EV giant Tesla that provides continuous repair and maintenance services for vehicles via software updates.

Hyundai Motor currently is estimated to have hired hundreds of software experts. Jin says the number should increase by 10,000 to help Hyundai Motor develop into an IT-based carmaker.

“The company is planning to add even more experts and teams for software development. They will have to communicate and interact with existing employees and teams for a leap towards a global leader in IT capabilities,” Jin emphasized.

Existing employees will also be offered IT courses for better understanding by the ICT innovation division, she added.

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