In the latest edition of ECSA’s Inside the Industry series, Rakshith Venugopal, ECSA Student Ambassador and PhD student at DESY Hamburg, spoke with Nikhil Palekar, Project & Program Manager at NXP Semiconductors Europe.
Nikhil shared his journey from early research in India and Germany to leading projects at NXP, where he oversees automated test equipment ensuring chips meet the highest standards before entering products like smartphones and electric vehicles. He highlighted Europe’s strengths in automotive and power electronics, while also noting the challenges of competing with rapid advances in AI and advanced logic manufacturing elsewhere.
For students, his message was clear: build strong technical foundations, stay curious, and develop soft skills to complement engineering expertise. He also emphasized the importance of visibility and role models for women in the semiconductor industry.
🎥 Watch the full interview here:
About Inside the Industry: Episode 4
ECSA’s Inside the Industry series is more than just interviews — it’s a platform that empowers our Student Ambassadors to step into the spotlight, ask the big questions, and engage directly with leading professionals shaping the semiconductor landscape. These conversations not only give students the chance to satisfy their curiosity and represent their peers, but also showcase ECSA’s commitment to connecting education with industry in meaningful and impactful ways.
Read the Full Interview 📄
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