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Ex-TSMC Senior VP Wei-Jen Lo Said to Join Intel as Head of R&D — Inside the Career of TSMC’s Most Elusive Veteran

K

karin623

Member
In late July, TSMC bid farewell to a legendary figure — a man who not only helped the company pull far ahead of its rivals despite early doubts, but also played a pivotal role in bringing EUV technology into mass production.

That man is Wei-Jen Lo, one of TSMC’s most enigmatic veterans.

Now, just three months after his retirement, the semiconductor world is abuzz with reports that Lo will join rival Intel to head its R&D efforts. Neither TSMC nor Intel has confirmed the move.

So who exactly is this mysterious TSMC veteran?

cwnewsroom.substack.com

Two Pivotal Battles That Cemented TSMC’s Lead — Inside the Career of Its Most Elusive Veteran, Wei-Jen Lo

Liang-rong Chen
cwnewsroom.substack.com cwnewsroom.substack.com
 
The source article:

Exclusive: Shocking! Former TSMC Senior Vice President Luo Weiren Rumored to Head R&D at Intel​

[Reporter Hong Youfang/Hsinchu Report] Luo Weiren, former senior vice president of technology research and development and corporate strategy development at TSMC, just retired at the end of July this year. At the age of 75, he had only been retired for three months. Recently, the semiconductor industry has heard that he will go to competitor Intel to take charge of research and development. It is understood that TSMC's senior management has been informed of this news. Because Luo Weiren has worked at TSMC for 21 years, holding senior positions in operations and R&D, he is aware of many internal R&D and production confidential information. Intel is actively promoting its wafer foundry business with the assistance of the US government. Whether it will have an impact on TSMC and even affect Taiwan's semiconductor industry has caused heated discussion in the industry.

This is the first news in the semiconductor industry that a senior retired TSMC executive will join Intel as the US-China technology war continues to escalate and since US President Trump returned to the White House and pushed the US to return to production and manufacturing.

I've been looking forward to Intel working at TSMC for 21 years.

Industry insiders familiar with Luo Weiren believe that his leadership style was heavily influenced by Intel, having previously worked at the chipmaker. After joining TSMC, he oversaw key roles in operations, R&D, and pre-production yield improvement. He received considerable courtesy before his retirement, extending his retirement age by eight years beyond the company's mandatory 67-year retirement age. This demonstrates his high regard for the company's top management. TSMC has a non-compete clause, and Intel is a competitor. Luo Weiren's advanced age, combined with his health and support for TSMC founder Morris Chang, suggests he will likely not return to Intel. This reporter contacted Luo Weiren but received no response, making it impossible to confirm the rumors. Intel has not yet announced any personnel-related news.

Some also believe that Luo Weiren, fresh off his retirement, is rumored to be joining Intel. Given his high position and responsibilities at TSMC, he must possess considerable confidential information. Bringing this information to Intel would undoubtedly benefit Intel's development and harm Taiwan's semiconductor industry and TSMC. However, others believe that Luo Weiren, a US citizen, would be vulnerable to Intel's recruitment, even with a non-compete clause. The foundry industry is a team-based operation, and whether Luo Weiren can command Intel's team and help improve its mass production technology and yield rates is questionable. Perhaps Intel is using the reputation of recruiting a TSMC veteran as a strategic consideration for the next step in its foundry spinoff.

TSMC is moving toward mass production of its 2nm process technology, and Intel has become a major customer for TSMC's advanced process technology. Intel is actively promoting its 18A process technology, intending to use it in the production of its Core Ultra 300 series processors, codenamed Panther Lake. However, industry experts believe that Intel's process yield is suboptimal, forcing it to produce its own products and finding external customers is challenging. This makes it difficult for Intel to compete with TSMC in the foundry sector, and even if Luo Weiren were hired, it would be difficult to reverse the disadvantage.

Luo Weiren was recently awarded the honor of ITRI Fellow along with TSMC Senior Vice President of R&D, Mi Yujie. TSMC Chairman and President Wei Zhejia was also in attendance. At the ceremony, Luo Weiren emphasized that TSMC is a prime example of Taiwan's miracle creation. He thanked founder Morris Chang for establishing the ICIC (Integrity, Commitment, Innovation, Customer) corporate culture and its three pillars (technological leadership, manufacturing excellence, and customer trust), as well as the contributions of all TSMC employees. The three pillars, in particular, are essential for TSMC's growth and achievement of its current status. He also thanked TSMC Chairman Wei Zhejia and former TSMC Chairman Liu Deyin for their support.

Luo Weiren graduated from the Department of Physics at National Taiwan University and received a PhD in Solid-State Physics and Surface Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. Early in his career, he served as Director of Intel's Advanced Technology Manufacturing (CTM) facility. After joining TSMC in 2004, he held senior positions in operations and R&D, driving the mass production of advanced processes, introducing EUV lithography, establishing a 24/7 R&D center to accelerate technology integration into mass production, and promoting the "One-Team" collaborative model to integrate R&D and production. Luo Weiren also participated in planning equipment investments and technology decisions. He was awarded the TSMC Medal of Honor by Morris Chang in recognition of his team's contributions.

ec.ltn.com.tw

獨家》震撼！台積電前資深副總羅唯仁傳赴英特爾掌研發 - 自由財經

〔記者洪友芳／新竹報導〕台積電前技術研發暨企業策略發展資深副總經理羅唯仁甫於今年7月底退休，75歲的他，退休才僅3個月，半導體業近期傳出他將前往競爭對手英特爾（Intel）掌管研發大計；據了解，
ec.ltn.com.tw ec.ltn.com.tw
 
This is not confirmed. Rejoining Intel will also bring him great shame in Taiwan. Does he really want that to be part of his legacy? The man is 75 years old.

Dr. Wei-Jen Lo: TSMC's Semiconductor Pioneer​

Dr. Wei-Jen Lo (Chinese: 羅偉仁) is a distinguished semiconductor executive whose 21-year tenure at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) significantly advanced the company's technological leadership. Born in Taiwan, he earned a B.S. in Physics from National Taiwan University and M.S./Ph.D. in Solid-State Physics and Surface Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. With over 40 years in the industry, Lo's career bridged academia, research labs, and high-stakes manufacturing, amassing pivotal roles at Motorola, Xerox, Intel, and TSMC.

Early Career Highlights​

  • Pre-TSMC (1980s–2003): Began at Motorola Research and Development Lab and Xerox Microelectronics Center, focusing on microelectronics innovation. Served as an assistant professor at a U.S. university, emphasizing semiconductor physics.
  • Intel (1986–2004): Spent 18 years in Technology and Manufacturing, rising to Director of Technology Development and Plant Manager. From 1997–2000, managed Intel's Santa Clara development factory, establishing its first 8-inch wafer fab and enabling mass production of the Intel 486 microprocessor—key to Intel's dominance in the 1990s.

TSMC Journey (2004–2025)​

Lo joined TSMC in 2004 as Vice President of Operations II, quickly ascending through R&D and strategy roles. His leadership drove breakthroughs in process nodes, earning him the "TSMC Medal of Honor" in 2011 from founder Morris Chang for a high-risk decision on 28nm technology. Under his command, TSMC's R&D teams (tens of thousands strong) secured over 1,500 global patents, including ~1,000 U.S. patents, fueling advancements in EUV lithography and nodes from 10nm to 2nm.

1761656058490.png


Lo retired on July 27, 2025, at age 75—TSMC's longest-serving executive (beyond the standard 67 retirement age via board extensions). His exit marked the fourth senior leadership transition in months, signaling a generational shift: Lora Ho now leads Strategy Development alongside Sustainability, while P.H. Chen heads HR. Other retirees include Rick Cassidy (Jan 2026), J.K. Lin (Apr 2025), and Chen-Hua Douglas Yu (Jul 2025).

Recent Developments & Intel Rumors​

As of October 28, 2025, reports emerged that Intel—under CEO Lip-Bu Tan—is aggressively recruiting Lo to lead its R&D, leveraging his prior Intel experience and TSMC expertise in sub-2nm nodes. This aligns with Intel's turnaround: Q3 2025 profits after losses, plus investments from SoftBank, Nvidia, and U.S. government support for foundry ambitions. However, former TSMC executives doubt a full R&D role due to:
  • Outdated Intel Ties: Lo's Intel stint ended >20 years ago; structures have evolved.
  • Non-Compete Clause: TSMC's 2-year restriction on key tech roles, unlikely waivable without U.S. intervention.
  • Age & Scope: At 75, Lo may advise on foundry processes rather than rebuild teams.
If confirmed, it could intensify U.S.-Taiwan semiconductor rivalry, echoing Intel's poaching of TSMC talent amid CHIPS Act subsidies. Industry watchers note TSMC's reverse trend: Many ex-Intel engineers have joined TSMC, Samsung, and GlobalFoundries.

Lo remains an elusive figure—rarely in the spotlight—but his "quiet command" of TSMC's R&D "army" cemented its edge in the global chip race. For deeper dives (e.g., patents or Intel updates), let me know!
 
Last edited:
One of my old bosses (25+ years ago yikes!). The TSMC people can bring knowledge of how to do RnD and Manufacturing differently so that the technologies are leading edge AND cost effective and to share metrics (yes I know that sounds like IP.... it happens... get over it). He only needs to be a consultant.

I think it would be good for intel foundry if the Intel to TSMC people I know came back

He definitely knows the issues that Intel has today with foundry cost and how to solve them.
 
MKWVentures said:
One of my old bosses (25+ years ago yikes!). The TSMC people can bring knowledge of how to do RnD and Manufacturing differently so that the technologies are leading edge AND cost effective and to share metrics (yes I know that sounds like IP.... it happens... get over it). He only needs to be a consultant.

I think it would be good for intel foundry if the Intel to TSMC people I know came back

He definitely knows the issues that Intel has today with foundry cost and how to solve them.
Click to expand...
Would he report to Naga or would Naga report to him if he comes back?
 
MKWVentures said:
One of my old bosses (25+ years ago yikes!). The TSMC people can bring knowledge of how to do RnD and Manufacturing differently so that the technologies are leading edge AND cost effective and to share metrics (yes I know that sounds like IP.... it happens... get over it). He only needs to be a consultant.

I think it would be good for intel foundry if the Intel to TSMC people I know came back

He definitely knows the issues that Intel has today with foundry cost and how to solve them.
Click to expand...

I am very sure every mid-tier process RnD person at Intel already knows what is wrong with the company, but cannot do anything like firing half the board himself.
 
Daniel Nenni said:
This is not confirmed. Rejoining Intel will also bring him great shame in Taiwan. Does he really want that to be part of his legacy? The man is 75 years old.

Dr. Wei-Jen Lo: TSMC's Semiconductor Pioneer​

Dr. Wei-Jen Lo (Chinese: 羅偉仁) is a distinguished semiconductor executive whose 21-year tenure at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) significantly advanced the company's technological leadership. Born in Taiwan, he earned a B.S. in Physics from National Taiwan University and M.S./Ph.D. in Solid-State Physics and Surface Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. With over 40 years in the industry, Lo's career bridged academia, research labs, and high-stakes manufacturing, amassing pivotal roles at Motorola, Xerox, Intel, and TSMC.

Early Career Highlights​

  • Pre-TSMC (1980s–2003): Began at Motorola Research and Development Lab and Xerox Microelectronics Center, focusing on microelectronics innovation. Served as an assistant professor at a U.S. university, emphasizing semiconductor physics.
  • Intel (1986–2004): Spent 18 years in Technology and Manufacturing, rising to Director of Technology Development and Plant Manager. From 1997–2000, managed Intel's Santa Clara development factory, establishing its first 8-inch wafer fab and enabling mass production of the Intel 486 microprocessor—key to Intel's dominance in the 1990s.

TSMC Journey (2004–2025)​

Lo joined TSMC in 2004 as Vice President of Operations II, quickly ascending through R&D and strategy roles. His leadership drove breakthroughs in process nodes, earning him the "TSMC Medal of Honor" in 2011 from founder Morris Chang for a high-risk decision on 28nm technology. Under his command, TSMC's R&D teams (tens of thousands strong) secured over 1,500 global patents, including ~1,000 U.S. patents, fueling advancements in EUV lithography and nodes from 10nm to 2nm.

View attachment 3801

Lo retired on July 27, 2025, at age 75—TSMC's longest-serving executive (beyond the standard 67 retirement age via board extensions). His exit marked the fourth senior leadership transition in months, signaling a generational shift: Lora Ho now leads Strategy Development alongside Sustainability, while P.H. Chen heads HR. Other retirees include Rick Cassidy (Jan 2026), J.K. Lin (Apr 2025), and Chen-Hua Douglas Yu (Jul 2025).

Recent Developments & Intel Rumors​

As of October 28, 2025, reports emerged that Intel—under CEO Lip-Bu Tan—is aggressively recruiting Lo to lead its R&D, leveraging his prior Intel experience and TSMC expertise in sub-2nm nodes. This aligns with Intel's turnaround: Q3 2025 profits after losses, plus investments from SoftBank, Nvidia, and U.S. government support for foundry ambitions. However, former TSMC executives doubt a full R&D role due to:
  • Outdated Intel Ties: Lo's Intel stint ended >20 years ago; structures have evolved.
  • Non-Compete Clause: TSMC's 2-year restriction on key tech roles, unlikely waivable without U.S. intervention.
  • Age & Scope: At 75, Lo may advise on foundry processes rather than rebuild teams.
If confirmed, it could intensify U.S.-Taiwan semiconductor rivalry, echoing Intel's poaching of TSMC talent amid CHIPS Act subsidies. Industry watchers note TSMC's reverse trend: Many ex-Intel engineers have joined TSMC, Samsung, and GlobalFoundries.

Lo remains an elusive figure—rarely in the spotlight—but his "quiet command" of TSMC's R&D "army" cemented its edge in the global chip race. For deeper dives (e.g., patents or Intel updates), let me know!
Click to expand...
TSMC has a strong trade secret protection ("Proprietary Information Protection") policy. So, not sure what he can divulge.
 
siliconbruh999 said:
i would say Naga would report to him but it's more likely that he comes back as an advisor not a FTE look at Glen HIlton.
Click to expand...

At 75 years old and worth more than $60 million, I don’t think he’s interested in doing the heavy lifting or handling day-to-day tasks.
 
Last edited:
Paul2 said:
I am very sure every mid-tier process RnD person at Intel already knows what is wrong with the company, but cannot do anything like firing half the board himself.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps more than half of Intel’s board of directors already knew what needed to be done, but the entrenched management, employee mindset, internal conflicts, and corporate culture made those necessary changes very difficult to carry out.
 
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