A former engineer at Philips Medical Systems has been convicted by a federal jury in Chicago of conspiring to steal the company’s trade secrets and provide them to a Chinese medical technology competitor.

Chih-Yee Jen, 71, of Mequon, Wisconsin, was found guilty of two charges following a week-long trial. Prosecutors said Jen stole confidential information relating to X-ray technology developed by Philips for use in computed tomography (CT) medical imaging systems.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jen worked at Philips’ facility in Aurora, Illinois, where the company researched, developed and manufactured X-ray tubes. Philips marketed the technology through its Dunlee brand.

The case dates back to 2017, when Philips was preparing to close its Aurora facility. Prosecutors said Jen began communicating with executives at China-based Kunshan GuoLi Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. about establishing a U.S. subsidiary that would compete with Philips in the development and manufacture of X-ray tubes.

While still employed by Philips, Jen allegedly accessed and copied confidential company documents containing proprietary technology. Prosecutors said he subsequently shared the information with Kunshan GuoLi and used it in his work for the company’s U.S. subsidiary.

Jen also recruited several former Philips engineers to join the new operation, according to the prosecution.

U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros said the case demonstrates the potential economic impact of trade-secret theft, arguing that the theft of proprietary technology can damage American businesses, jobs and research and development.

The FBI’s Counterintelligence and Espionage Division also highlighted the case as part of its efforts to protect U.S. companies from the theft of commercially sensitive technology.

Two other former Philips engineers, Fince Tendian, 57, of Aurora, Illinois, and Vladimir Nevtonenko, 77, of Arlington Heights, Illinois, previously pleaded guilty to possessing stolen trade secrets.

Jen was convicted of conspiracy to steal, misappropriate or possess trade secrets, as well as possession or attempted possession of stolen trade secrets.

U.S. District Judge Edmond E. Chang has scheduled Jen’s sentencing for January 5, 2027. Tendian is due to be sentenced on December 8, while Nevtonenko’s sentencing is scheduled for December 1.

Prosecutors also charged Xiaoqin Du, 64, of Suzhou, China, along with Kunshan GuoLi and related company Kunshan Yiyuan Medical Technology Co. Ltd. The defendants have been placed on the court’s Fugitive Calendar and have not been arraigned.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ramon Villalpando and Michael Maione of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.