At Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), we continue to deliver innovative and thrilling experiences to a global audience through our PlayStation line of products and services that include generation-defining hardware, pioneering network services, and award-winning games. Innovation is at the heart of everything we do and key players behind these advancements is our Large Scale Integration (LSI) development team. 

In this article, we shine a light on SIE’s LSI Development Department as they strengthen their recruiting efforts through interviews with leadership and leading LSI engineers. To kick off this series, we sat down with Tetsuya Hagiwara, VP of LSI Development, to get his insights.

Tell us about the LSI Development Department. 

At SIE, innovation is in our DNA, whether it’s through PlayStation hardware, software, apps, or services. The LSI Development Department is at the core of this, designing the semi-custom LSI that make up the semiconductors of PlayStation hardware. As a most recent example, our team developed the semi-custom LSI for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2. 

What’s crucial in your approach to LSI development? 

Our LSI designs are a core component of PlayStation hardware. Their performance—and the cost to develop and manufacture them—directly impacts a product’s success. That’s why we focus on one key goal: maximizing performance while optimizing costs. 

But it’s all about collaboration. We work hand-in-hand with product management, software, hardware, and game development teams within SIE to make sure our solutions elevate the entire gaming experience. 

Developing PlayStation is a huge team effort. We’re talking thousands of people, and when you include game developers, tens of thousands! With systems growing more complex, keeping clear communication with everyone is key. 

What recent accomplishments has the LSI Development Department achieved? 

Recently we supported the development and launch of PlayStation ５and PlayStation VR2. PlayStation 5 launched in November 2020, around the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the development team were hit with the challenges of remote development but we were able to overcome the challenges to meet the launch date.  

We also developed the core semiconductor for PlayStation VR2, which launched in 2023 as planned. 

A Team of Experts Driving Innovation in CPU, GPU, and High-Speed Interfaces 

Can you tell us about the work and processes of the LSI Development Department? 

Our core responsibilities revolve around defining specifications, conducting verification, and evaluating semiconductors. We collaborate closely with LSI vendors across the globe during the design and development stages. 

When setting specifications, we look ahead to what the “best LSI” will look like in the coming years, drawing insights from product planning, hardware and software teams, and game developers. This requires a deep understanding of semiconductor architecture and cutting-edge technologies. 

Once the specifications are set, we partner with LSI vendors for joint design and development. Afterward, we move into the verification and evaluation phase, testing prototypes to ensure they meet our performance expectations and functional requirements. 

This stage requires writing test codes in languages like C++, so having expertise in both LSI and software is critical for success. 

What kind of specialists make up your team? 

Our LSIs are made up of multiple components—CPUs, GPUs, audio codecs, memory interfaces, and high-speed interfaces—all integrated into a single, powerful chip. To bring this to life, we have a diverse team of specialists, each an expert in their respective field, working together to perfect our designs. 

What backgrounds do most team members have? 

Our team is a mix of experienced engineers, many of whom joined through mid-career recruitment or began their engineering journey within Sony Group or SIE. We have a blend of amateur talent and seasoned professionals, with backgrounds ranging from LSI and semiconductor design, to hardware and software development, to roles in set manufacturers. 

Is it a must for people to be gamers? 

Without a doubt we have plenty of team members who are passionate about gaming. You’ll often find them chatting about the latest game releases or the tech behind them. But not everyone here is a gamer. Some of our team members are more focused on the technology —LSI, semiconductors, and hardware development—while others are drawn to the business aspects of the gaming industry. So while loving games is common, it’s by no means a requirement. 

The Immense Fulfillment of Contributing to World-Class Semiconductor Development 

What motivates engineers in your team?

There’s immense fulfillment in working on one of the world’s largest-scale semiconductor developments. The LSIs we develop contain billions of transistors, comparable to the CPU, GPU and smartphone chips produced by top global semiconductor manufacturers.  We also utilize cutting-edge processes in our semiconductor development.  

At SIE’s LSI Development Department, you’re involved in the entire process—from product planning to semiconductor specification setting, design, evaluation, and mass production. This comprehensive experience broadens your perspective and career as an engineer. 

What are the common reasons people join the company mid-career? 

Many are drawn to SIE by the opportunity to work on consumer-facing products under the PlayStation brand. The scale is particularly appealing—take PlayStation 5, where we’ve shipped tens of millions of units. Being involved in a project of that magnitude is a rare and exciting opportunity. 

For those with experience in LSI development at other companies, SIE offers something unique. Here, you not only create the chips, but you also get to experience how they’re used firsthand. In traditional semiconductor companies, it’s possible to see how your work fits into a device, but tracking how that device impacts the global market is more challenging. At SIE, we’re not just the developers—we’re also the customers. This gives us a full view of how the chips we design are integrated into game development and how they shape the gaming experience worldwide. 

Can you describe the ideal candidate for the LSI Development Department? 

We’re looking for candidates with experience in LSI or semiconductor design, LSI process development, or areas like hardware and software design. Our team thrives on diverse technical expertise, so there’s plenty of room for people with a wide range of skills to contribute. 

Communication is also key. While your technical background is important, we value individuals who are eager to collaborate and learn from others. The ability to communicate across teams and deepen your understanding of related fields is essential for success here. 

What is the onboarding process like after joining? 

For mid-career hires, we assign roles based on each person’s skills and experience, ensuring their background is a strong match for the team. Once onboarded, you’ll be paired with a tutor who will help you settle into your role and set up your work environment. We foster a collaborative atmosphere where you can easily ask for help, so if you run into any challenges, you’ll always have a supportive team to consult with. 

Your team is based in Japan, what type of language proficiency is required? 

While our LSI team is based in Japan, business level Japanese language proficiency is strongly recommended, as it is required for internal day-to-day communications. As long as you’re comfortable with Japanese in both written and spoken form—and motivated to improve—you’ll be able to adapt well. Additionally, SIE operates globally and we frequently collaborate with overseas LSI design houses and game developers, we require a certain level of English reading and writing proficiency. Strong verbal communication in English is also a plus, as online meetings and travel may be part of the role. 

Opportunity to See Our Chips Make a Global Impact 

What future goals and themes is the LSI Development Department focusing on? 

The semiconductor industry is back in the global spotlight, and for good reason. Over the past 50 years, semiconductors have evolved rapidly, and this progress is set to continue. For us at SIE, maintaining and advancing the core semiconductor technologies that power PlayStation products is key to staying competitive. 

Our goal is to keep pushing technological boundaries, developing even better semiconductors to shape the future of SIE and the PlayStation brand. 

Any final messages for those interested in LSI development at SIE? 

At SIE, you’ll have the rare opportunity to see firsthand how the chips you develop impact the world. You’ll work directly with hardware and software developers, as well as game creators, giving you a deep understanding of the value your work brings to the PlayStation experience. 

On top of that, SIE offers the freedom to shape your own career. We respect your ambitions and are committed to supporting your professional growth. Whether you’re just starting out or joining us mid-career, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. If you’re excited about the possibilities at SIE, we encourage you to apply and join us on this incredible journey.  

 
Interested in career at SIE in LSI development? 

Please find job opportunities for LSI Development Department from here (Japanese only) and check out other employee interviews in the LSI Development Department on our Career page (Japanese only)

Translated from Japanese (original)