How to Apply to Samsung SDI

9 min read Last updated April 20, 2026 2 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • Samsung SDI is an S-tier employer and one of the world's top six EV battery manufacturers, offering career opportunities at the forefront of the global clean energy transition with massive capital investments exceeding $6 billion in new manufacturing capacity.
  • The application process differs significantly between Korean fresh graduates (GSAT aptitude test pathway) and experienced international hires (direct application via samsungcareers.com or LinkedIn), so confirm which pathway applies to your situation before preparing.
  • Samsung SDI uses Workday as its applicant tracking system — format your resume with clean, single-column layouts, standard section headers, and avoid graphics or complex formatting that can break ATS parsing.
  • Technical interviews are substantive and domain-specific, requiring genuine knowledge of battery chemistries, cell design, manufacturing processes, and quality standards rather than generic engineering knowledge.
  • The company's chaebol culture values hierarchy, loyalty, and long-term commitment, but is actively modernizing — demonstrate respect for tradition while showcasing your innovation mindset and adaptability.
  • Samsung SDI's global expansion creates opportunities across multiple countries: South Korea (headquarters and R&D), Hungary (European manufacturing hub), United States (Auburn Hills operations and StarPlus Energy gigafactories in Kokomo), China, and Malaysia.
  • Highlight quantifiable achievements and relevant certifications (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, Six Sigma) prominently on your resume — Samsung SDI's manufacturing culture prizes measurable results and standardized quality processes.
  • Research Samsung SDI's competitive positioning against CATL, LG Energy Solution, and Panasonic, and understand their solid-state battery roadmap and PRiMX brand strategy — this level of preparation distinguishes serious candidates from casual applicants.
  • For StarPlus Energy (Stellantis joint venture) roles in Indiana, apply through the separate starplusenergyus.com portal rather than the main Samsung careers site.

About Samsung SDI

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. is a South Korean multinational manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, energy storage systems, and advanced electronic materials, headquartered in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do. Founded in 1970 as Samsung-NEC Inc. to produce vacuum tubes, the company evolved through cathode ray tubes and LCD displays before pivoting decisively into rechargeable battery technology in the early 2000s. Today Samsung SDI is one of the world's top six EV battery manufacturers by market share, supplying prismatic and cylindrical cells to major automakers including BMW, Stellantis, Hyundai, Kia, and Rivian. The company operates across two primary business segments. Its Energy Solutions division produces batteries for electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), and IT devices such as smartphones, tablets, and power tools. Its Electronic Materials division manufactures semiconductor and display materials that are critical components in the global electronics supply chain. Samsung SDI's PRiMX battery brand, launched in 2021, unifies its product portfolio from current prismatic cells to next-generation all-solid-state batteries under a single identity. Samsung SDI maintains a global manufacturing footprint with battery cell plants in Cheonan and Ulsan (South Korea), Göd (Hungary), Xi'an (China), Seremban (Malaysia), and Auburn Hills, Michigan (United States). The company's joint venture with Stellantis, StarPlus Energy, is building two gigafactories in Kokomo, Indiana, representing a combined investment exceeding $6.3 billion and creating approximately 2,800 jobs. An all-solid-state battery pilot line at Samsung SDI's R&D Center in Suwon is now operational, with mass production targeted for 2027, promising 500 Wh/kg energy density, 600-mile range, and nine-minute charging. As a member of the Samsung Group — South Korea's largest chaebol — Samsung SDI benefits from enormous R&D resources, brand prestige, and cross-affiliate collaboration. The company invests heavily in next-generation cathode, anode, and electrolyte technologies, and holds thousands of battery-related patents. With the global transition to electric mobility accelerating, Samsung SDI is positioned as a critical player in the energy transition, making it a highly attractive employer for engineers, scientists, and business professionals in the clean energy sector.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Visit the Samsung Careers portal at samsungcareers

    Visit the Samsung Careers portal at samsungcareers.com, which serves as the unified application gateway for all Samsung Group affiliates including Samsung SDI. Create an account and complete your candidate profile with your education history, work experience, and relevant certifications.

  2. 2
    For fresh graduates in South Korea, Samsung SDI participates in Samsung Group's

    For fresh graduates in South Korea, Samsung SDI participates in Samsung Group's biannual open recruitment cycle. The process begins with an online job suitability assessment (typically March or September), followed by the Samsung Global Aptitude Test (GSAT) — a 60-minute exam with 20 math and 30 reasoning questions taken at designated test centers.

  3. 3
    For experienced hires and international applicants, search for Samsung SDI-speci

    For experienced hires and international applicants, search for Samsung SDI-specific positions on samsungcareers.com, LinkedIn, or regional career pages such as samsungsdieurope.com/career. Submit your application with a tailored resume and cover letter addressing the specific role requirements and your relevant technical expertise.

  4. 4
    After passing the initial screening (or GSAT for Korean fresh graduates), qualif

    After passing the initial screening (or GSAT for Korean fresh graduates), qualified candidates are invited to interviews. Samsung SDI typically conducts a multi-round interview process that includes a technical interview assessing domain expertise, a behavioral interview evaluating cultural fit and teamwork, and in some cases a panel interview with hiring managers and senior engineers.

  5. 5
    For technical and engineering roles, expect practical assessments or case studie

    For technical and engineering roles, expect practical assessments or case studies related to battery technology, materials science, manufacturing processes, or quality management. Candidates may be asked to present on previous projects or solve technical problems in real time.

  6. 6
    Successful candidates undergo a health examination as the final step before rece

    Successful candidates undergo a health examination as the final step before receiving a formal offer. The entire process from application to offer averages approximately 20 days, though this varies significantly by role — Project Engineer positions may conclude within days, while Process Engineer roles can take up to 60 days.

  7. 7
    For StarPlus Energy (the Stellantis-Samsung SDI joint venture in Kokomo, Indiana

    For StarPlus Energy (the Stellantis-Samsung SDI joint venture in Kokomo, Indiana), applications are handled through a separate portal at starplusenergyus.com. These positions follow American hiring conventions with phone screens, on-site interviews, and standard background checks.

Resume Tips for Samsung SDI

recommended

Emphasize quantifiable achievements in battery technology, materials science, or

Emphasize quantifiable achievements in battery technology, materials science, or manufacturing engineering. Samsung SDI values candidates who can demonstrate measurable impact — include metrics like yield improvement percentages, production throughput gains, cost reductions, or patents filed.

recommended

Highlight experience with specific battery chemistries and cell formats that Sam

Highlight experience with specific battery chemistries and cell formats that Samsung SDI works with: NCA (nickel-cobalt-aluminum), NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese), prismatic cells, cylindrical cells, and solid-state technology. Mentioning familiarity with high-nickel cathodes or silicon-carbon-nanocomposite (SCN) anode materials directly aligns with Samsung SDI's product roadmap.

recommended

Include relevant certifications and standards knowledge prominently

Include relevant certifications and standards knowledge prominently. ISO 9001 quality management, ISO 14001 environmental management, IATF 16949 automotive quality, and Six Sigma certifications are valued across Samsung SDI's manufacturing operations. Place these in a dedicated certifications section near the top of your resume.

recommended

For Korean-headquartered roles, include your Korean language proficiency level (

For Korean-headquartered roles, include your Korean language proficiency level (TOPIK score if applicable) and any cross-cultural experience. For global roles, emphasize English fluency and experience working across time zones or in multinational teams.

recommended

Structure your resume with clear section headers and a reverse-chronological for

Structure your resume with clear section headers and a reverse-chronological format. Samsung SDI uses Workday as its applicant tracking system, which parses resumes best when they follow standard formatting — avoid tables, columns, headers/footers, and graphics that can confuse ATS parsing.

recommended

Tailor your resume to the specific division you are applying to

Tailor your resume to the specific division you are applying to. Energy Solutions candidates should focus on electrochemistry, cell design, and automotive industry experience. Electronic Materials candidates should highlight semiconductor process knowledge, thin-film deposition, or display material expertise.

recommended

Include relevant academic research, publications, and conference presentations i

Include relevant academic research, publications, and conference presentations if applying for R&D roles. Samsung SDI's Suwon R&D Center employs hundreds of researchers, and demonstrated research capability is a strong differentiator for scientist and senior engineer positions.

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Use industry-standard terminology that aligns with Samsung SDI's job description

Use industry-standard terminology that aligns with Samsung SDI's job descriptions. Keywords like EV battery, energy density, cycle life, thermal management, GWh capacity, cell formation, electrode coating, and quality assurance will help your resume surface in ATS keyword searches.

ATS System: Workday

Samsung SDI uses Workday as its primary applicant tracking system for managing job postings, applications, and candidate workflows across its global operations. The Samsung Careers portal (samsungcareers.com) serves as the unified front-end for all Samsung Group affiliates, with Workday handling backend application processing and resume parsing.

  • Use a clean, single-column resume format without tables, text boxes, or embedded graphics — Workday's parser handles simple layouts most reliably.
  • Include exact keywords from the job description, especially technical terms like 'lithium-ion battery,' 'prismatic cell,' 'quality management,' and 'manufacturing engineering' that Workday will match against.
  • Save your resume as .docx or .pdf format — Workday supports both, but .docx tends to parse more consistently.
  • Complete all fields in the Workday application form thoroughly, including the free-text sections — Workday-based screening often incorporates data from both your resume and application form responses.
  • Use standard section headers (Professional Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications) rather than creative alternatives — Workday maps content to predefined fields based on header recognition.

Complete Workday Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

Samsung SDI's interview culture reflects its position as a Samsung Group affiliate operating within Korean chaebol traditions while simultaneously adapting to global standards.

In South Korea, the interview process is deeply structured and formal, rooted in Confucian values of respect for hierarchy, educational achievement, and collective harmony. Candidates should address interviewers with appropriate honorifics and demonstrate humility alongside competence. However, Samsung has been actively modernizing its corporate culture, and Samsung SDI's interviews increasingly emphasize innovation mindset and problem-solving ability over rigid formality. For technical roles — which constitute the majority of Samsung SDI's hiring — interviews are substantive and domain-specific. Expect detailed questions about lithium-ion battery working principles, cell design trade-offs, manufacturing process optimization, and safety engineering. Interviewers are typically senior engineers or R&D managers who will probe the depth of your technical knowledge rather than surface familiarity. Candidates report that interviewers are generally friendly and create a professional but approachable atmosphere, with the interview difficulty rated at 2.84 out of 5 on Glassdoor — moderate but requiring genuine preparation. Behavioral questions focus heavily on teamwork, adaptability, and willingness to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Samsung SDI operates 24/7 production lines, and many engineering roles involve shift work or on-call responsibilities. Interviewers assess whether candidates can thrive in this high-intensity operational culture. Questions about relocating to manufacturing sites — whether Auburn Hills, Göd, or Kokomo — are common for global applicants. For fresh graduates entering through the GSAT pathway, the aptitude test is a significant filter. Approximately 90,000 to 100,000 applicants take the GSAT each cycle across all Samsung affiliates, making it one of the largest employment exams in South Korea. The test evaluates situational judgment and reasoning rather than specialized knowledge, but competition is fierce. Successful GSAT candidates then face interviews where passion for Samsung SDI's mission in clean energy and understanding of the EV battery landscape carry substantial weight. Panel interviews are common for senior roles, often involving cross-functional leaders from engineering, quality, and operations. Samsung SDI values candidates who can articulate how their expertise contributes to the broader organizational mission. Demonstrating awareness of Samsung SDI's competitive position relative to CATL, LG Energy Solution, and Panasonic, and understanding the strategic importance of solid-state battery development, shows the level of preparation that distinguishes top candidates.

What Samsung SDI Looks For

  • Deep technical expertise in electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering — Samsung SDI prioritizes candidates with strong foundational knowledge in battery science and manufacturing processes.
  • Innovation mindset and R&D orientation — the company invests heavily in next-generation technologies like all-solid-state batteries and high-nickel cathode chemistries, seeking candidates who push boundaries rather than maintain the status quo.
  • Cross-cultural adaptability and global collaboration skills — with manufacturing operations spanning Korea, Hungary, China, Malaysia, and the United States, Samsung SDI needs professionals who can work effectively across languages, time zones, and cultural contexts.
  • Quality-first mentality aligned with automotive industry standards — EV battery defects can cause fires and recalls, so Samsung SDI demands rigorous attention to quality management, process control, and safety engineering.
  • Willingness to work in manufacturing environments with shift rotations — many roles involve hands-on work on production lines, and candidates must demonstrate comfort with 24/7 operational rhythms and physical plant settings.
  • Loyalty, long-term commitment, and alignment with Samsung Group values — as a chaebol affiliate, Samsung SDI values employees who build careers within the organization rather than frequent job-hoppers, rewarding tenure with progressive responsibility.
  • Problem-solving ability under pressure — battery manufacturing involves complex interdependencies between chemistry, engineering, and operations, requiring candidates who can diagnose and resolve issues rapidly on production lines.
  • Passion for the clean energy transition and electric mobility — Samsung SDI's mission centers on enabling a sustainable future through battery technology, and genuine enthusiasm for this mission resonates strongly with hiring managers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Samsung GSAT and do I need to take it to work at Samsung SDI?
The Samsung Global Aptitude Test (GSAT) is a standardized exam used across all Samsung Group affiliates for fresh graduate recruitment in South Korea. It consists of 50 questions (20 math, 30 reasoning) completed in 60 minutes and is taken at designated test centers. If you are a fresh graduate applying through Samsung's biannual open recruitment cycle in Korea, the GSAT is mandatory. However, experienced hires and international applicants typically bypass the GSAT and apply directly through samsungcareers.com or regional career portals.
What ATS does Samsung SDI use, and how should I format my resume?
Samsung SDI uses Workday as its applicant tracking system. To ensure your resume parses correctly, use a single-column layout with standard section headers (Experience, Education, Skills, Certifications), avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers, and embedded graphics. Save your resume as a .docx or .pdf file. Include relevant keywords from the job description, particularly technical terms related to battery technology, manufacturing, and quality management.
How long does the Samsung SDI hiring process typically take?
The hiring process averages approximately 20 days from application to offer, based on Glassdoor data from 51 candidate experiences. However, timelines vary significantly by role: Project Engineer positions may conclude within a single day, while Process Engineer roles can take up to 60 days. The Korean fresh graduate pathway (GSAT cycle) follows a fixed timeline spanning several months from initial assessment through final health examination.
What are Samsung SDI's main business divisions and which should I apply to?
Samsung SDI operates two primary segments: Energy Solutions (rechargeable batteries for EVs, energy storage systems, and IT devices) and Electronic Materials (semiconductor and display materials). Choose based on your background — if you have expertise in electrochemistry, cell design, or automotive engineering, target Energy Solutions. If your experience is in semiconductor processes, thin-film technology, or display materials, Electronic Materials is the better fit. The Energy Solutions division is significantly larger and has more open positions due to rapid EV market expansion.
Does Samsung SDI hire internationally or only in South Korea?
Samsung SDI actively hires internationally across its global operations. Major hiring locations include Yongin and Cheonan (South Korea), Göd (Hungary), Auburn Hills, Michigan (United States), Xi'an (China), and Seremban (Malaysia). The StarPlus Energy joint venture in Kokomo, Indiana is creating approximately 2,800 new jobs. International candidates should check samsungcareers.com, LinkedIn, and regional career pages like samsungsdieurope.com for positions in their target geography.
What technical skills are most valued for engineering roles at Samsung SDI?
Samsung SDI values deep expertise in electrochemistry and battery science (lithium-ion, NCA, NCM chemistries), cell design and manufacturing processes (electrode coating, cell formation, assembly), quality management systems (ISO 9001, IATF 16949), thermal management and safety engineering, ERP systems (particularly SAP), statistical process control, and familiarity with automotive industry standards. For R&D positions, experience with next-generation technologies like solid-state batteries, silicon anodes, or high-nickel cathodes is highly valued.
What is Samsung SDI's interview difficulty level and what questions should I expect?
Glassdoor candidates rate Samsung SDI interview difficulty at 2.84 out of 5 — moderate but requiring preparation. Technical interviews cover battery technology fundamentals (lithium-ion working principles, cell chemistry trade-offs), manufacturing process optimization, quality management scenarios, and safety engineering. Behavioral questions assess teamwork, adaptability to shift work and manufacturing environments, willingness to relocate, and alignment with Samsung SDI's clean energy mission. Prepare by reviewing your past projects in detail and understanding Samsung SDI's product portfolio and competitive landscape.
What is StarPlus Energy and how does it relate to Samsung SDI?
StarPlus Energy is a joint venture between Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, and other automotive brands) and Samsung SDI, established to manufacture EV batteries in the United States. The venture is building two gigafactories in Kokomo, Indiana, with a combined investment exceeding $6.3 billion and planned capacity of 67 GWh annually. StarPlus Energy has its own application portal at starplusenergyus.com and follows American hiring conventions, making it an accessible entry point for U.S.-based candidates interested in Samsung SDI's battery technology.
Is knowledge of Korean language required to work at Samsung SDI?
Korean language proficiency is not strictly required for most international positions, but it provides a significant advantage for roles based in South Korea or those requiring close collaboration with Korean headquarters. For positions at Samsung SDI's overseas operations in Hungary, the United States, China, or Malaysia, English is typically the working language. If you are targeting Korea-based roles, including your TOPIK score or Korean proficiency level on your resume demonstrates commitment and practical communication ability.
What is Samsung SDI's all-solid-state battery program and why does it matter for job seekers?
Samsung SDI is developing all-solid-state batteries at its Suwon R&D Center, with a pilot production line now operational and mass production targeted for 2027. These batteries promise 500 Wh/kg energy density, 600-mile range, and nine-minute charging — a transformational leap over current lithium-ion technology. For job seekers, this means Samsung SDI is actively hiring researchers and engineers with expertise in solid electrolytes, cathode-free architectures, and next-generation battery materials. Mentioning awareness of this program in interviews demonstrates strategic understanding of where the company is investing.

Open Positions

Samsung SDI currently has 2 open positions.

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 2 open positions at Samsung SDI

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