Author
Paige Iven
Paige Iven is a member of NXP’s Corporate Communications team, where she helps drive communications programs that highlight NXP innovation, technology leadership and milestones.
20 Years of NXP: The People, Values and Culture Behind the Journey
A conversation with NXP Chief People Officer Chris Jensen
This year marks a major milestone for NXP: 20 years of pioneering a brighter future. Over the past two decades, NXP has grown alongside a rapidly evolving technology landscape, helping make everyday life smarter, safer and more sustainable. To mark the occasion, we spoke with Chris Jensen, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer about what 20 years of NXP means from his perspective. In this conversation, Chris reflects on the values, culture and growth that have shaped our company, the qualities that drive success in a fast-paced and vital industry, and why people will remain at the center of our future as we enter our next chapter.
FEATURING
Chris Jensen
Chris, you joined NXP/Freescale in 2005 and have witnessed firsthand the company's evolution over the past two decades. During your tenure, how have you seen the semiconductor industry change—not only in terms of technology, but also in the way people work, innovate and collaborate?
Chris: Over the past two decades, as innovation has accelerated and the semiconductor industry has evolved, we've had to expand the way we think and work. I've seen teams become more connected than ever before, collaborating across the globe to solve increasingly sophisticated challenges. While the tools, technologies and ways of working have changed, what has remained constant is the passion team members bring to innovation and their willingness to learn, adapt and grow. Continuous learning is a critical part of driving progress.
We're entering a new era where AI is moving beyond the cloud and into the physical world. At the intelligent edge, systems can sense, decide, connect, respond and act in real time, making vehicles, factories, homes and infrastructure smarter and more autonomous. As these technologies continue to evolve, our success will be driven by global collaboration and the enduring values that have shaped our company over the past two decades.
We must continue to collaborate seamlessly across regions and cultures, drawing strength from different perspectives and shared purpose. Although the way we work has changed over the years, what really stands out is the continued commitment to our core values innovation, expertise, collaboration, ownership and growth.
Semiconductors are often discussed in terms of performance and scale, but rarely in terms of people. Why are people and culture so critical to success in this industry?
Chris: In an industry as complex and fast‑moving as ours, success depends on deep expertise, strong collaboration and a shared sense of purpose. The problems we're solving—around safety, security, sustainability and intelligent systems—aren't simple, and they cannot be addressed by technology alone. They require creative teams that trust one another, challenge ideas constructively and bring diverse perspectives to the table.
A strong company culture creates an environment where everyone can do their best work—where learning is continuous, inclusion is lived every day and people feel connected to what they're creating. Over time, it's that combination of talent and culture that allows a company not just to scale performance but to adapt, innovate and lead through change. In my view, that's why people aren't adjacent to success in semiconductors—they're at the very center of it.
From the first words relayed from the moon to today's innovation here on Earth, NXP has been accelerating the breakthroughs that advance our world. Take a deep dive into NXP's rich history.
How does NXP think about its responsibility as a global semiconductor company when it comes to fostering inclusive, respectful workplaces?
Chris: As a global semiconductor company, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to set the tone for how people work together—across cultures, countries and perspectives. At NXP, fostering inclusive, respectful workplaces starts with a simple belief—people do their best work when they feel valued, heard and able to be themselves. It's essential to innovation and long‑term success in an industry as complex and fast‑moving as ours.
We embed inclusion into how we lead, how we collaborate and how we make decisions every day. That means holding ourselves to high standards of trust and respect—creating an environment where different viewpoints are encouraged and appreciated. This commitment is supported through initiatives such as Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), inclusion training programs, leadership development, cultural awareness initiatives and oversight from our executive-led Inclusion Council, which helps drive accountability and progress across the organization.
When inclusion is part of our culture—not a standalone initiative—it strengthens our teams, our performance and the impact we have on the world through our technology.
As we celebrate 20 years, what excites you most about the next chapter for NXP's people and culture?
Chris: As we mark this milestone, one thing is clear—the semiconductor industry's success has always been, and will continue to be, driven by people. Technology will continue to evolve, but it's the way we work together—our curiosity, collaboration and commitment—that will shape the next 20 years.
Over the past 20 years, NXP's success has been driven by teams who bring deep expertise, curiosity and a shared sense of purpose to everything they do. That commitment is what has allowed us to grow, adapt and continue delivering innovation that has real-world impact. I'm incredibly proud of what we've built together.
Through periods of change, complexity and rapid industry evolution, there's been as a consistent focus on our values and on making a meaningful difference. Our people care deeply about how their work affects safety, security, sustainability and the communities in which we operate. Seeing that sense of responsibility and pride reflected across a global organization is inspiring—and it's what gives me the greatest confidence as we look ahead to the next chapter of NXP's journey.