Trends
Chipmakers Are Putting Technology and Strategy Under Fewer Leaders
Oct 2026 · 6 min
ST, SK hynix, Micron and Intel have all widened the remit of their top technologists in 2026. What broader CTO and R&D roles mean for searches.
Short answer: Across 2026, major chipmakers have given fewer executives wider responsibility for technology, products and strategy. STMicroelectronics made 2 product line presidents its CTO and CSO (October 29). SK hynix put research and development under 1 president (October 30). Micron named a President and Chief Technology and Products Officer in August (Micron), and Intel confirmed its CTO in May while he kept his role as chief of staff to the CEO (Intel).
Examples in 2026
- STMicroelectronics: Remi El-Ouazzane becomes CTO while running product lines; Marco Cassis becomes CSO with R&D and acquisitions.
- SK hynix: Cha Seon-yong leads development and the Future Technology Research Institute.
- Micron: Scott DeBoer becomes President and Chief Technology and Products Officer, owning the memory and storage roadmap.
- Intel: Pushkar Ranade confirmed as CTO and remains chief of staff to CEO Lip-Bu Tan.
Why it is happening
AI demand rewards speed from research to product. Putting technology and product decisions under the same leader removes handoffs. ST's CEO described the CTO and CSO roles as "strongly interdependent."
What it means for searches
- CTO candidates need product line and P&L experience, not only research credentials.
- Strategy leaders are expected to run acquisitions and partnerships.
- The number of top technical seats is shrinking, which makes each search higher stakes.
- Succession planning for these broader roles needs to start earlier.
