I worked with the RetroDeck and underlying EmulationStation devs on a bug and they were incredibly cool and welcoming. I didn’t really have time to start taking on other tickets, but their documentation and availability made it easy to find the problem, get a workaround, and submit a fix.
I know a lot of engineers doing chip design in the US. Cutting edge stuff. I know folks working in custom stuff, Arm stuff, Risc stuff.
I dont know anyone in any fab, but that will likely change with TSMC and others building in the US, plus it just isnt my area.