We’re excited to bring you an insightful conversation with Shivraj Thakare, a seasoned semiconductor leader with a remarkable journey across world-class IP engineering at Intel and most recently leading semiconductor business execution at HCLTech.
This episode goes beyond titles—it dives into how great semiconductor systems, teams, and leaders are actually built. 🔍 What you’ll hear in this episode: 🚀 Shivraj’s career journey and key takeaways 🧠 What excites him most in today’s semiconductor ecosystem ⚙️ What separates a world-class IP from a functional one 📐 Early IP planning to balance PPA, schedule, and risk 🤝 Make-vs-Buy decisions at scale 👥 Leading large analog & layout teams across geographies 🏭 Product vs services mindset—execution and accountability 🌱 India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and deep capability creation 🛠️ Equipment & materials—where India should be strategic 🎓 Skill stacks for IP + manufacturing excellence 🌏 India’s differentiated strengths in the global value chain 📍 The renewed Look East focus and emerging tech hubs 💾 Budget 2026, data centers, and impact on semiconductors ✨ Advice for aspiring engineers and future leaders In this podcast series, discussion on VLSI and its related fields is presented, focusing on recent developments and advancements in the industry. Topics such as the latest trends and innovations in semiconductor technology are explored, offering insights into the evolving landscape. Career guidance is shared, providing practical advice for navigating the field, along with success stories that highlight the journeys of professionals who have made their mark in VLSI. Whether for students, professionals, or those interested in the subject, valuable knowledge is offered to help stay informed and succeed in this dynamic area. Guest : Shivraj Thakare Shivraj Thakare is a seasoned semiconductor leader with over two decades of experience across circuit design, IP engineering, and large-scale organizational leadership. Most recently, he served as AVP and General Manager – Semiconductor at HCLTech, where he led semiconductor business growth, IP and product services execution, and contributed to the broader ecosystem. Prior to that, he spent nearly 20 years at Intel, culminating as Senior Director of IP Engineering, where he steered large analog design organizations and owned end-to-end delivery of high-performance IPs including DDR, HBM, display, and high-speed serial/parallel interfaces, from specification through product launch. His expertise spans IP portfolio and roadmap management, make-vs-buy decisions, SoC alignment, and PPA optimization, combined with deep experience in team building, execution, and external foundry engagement. Watch the episode here :
