Headcount at Penrose and Horgan’s Quay facilities increase to more than 1,000
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Pictured: Anne-Marie Tierney Le-Roux, IDA Ireland; Colin Ryan, Qualcomm; Minister of Enterprise Tourism and Employment Peter Burke; Paul Kelleher and Jennifer Kenrick, QT Technologies; Michael Lohan, IDA Ireland; and Minister of State Jerry Buttimer
Qualcomm Technologies has announced a €125 million investment that will see the transformation of its Cork office into a strategic AI pillar in the global chipmaker’s organisation over the next three years.
Founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, Qualcomm is a global leader in wireless technology and advanced semiconductors. The company develops cellular standards such as 4G, 5G, and now 6G. It is also one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies, which sees it provide critical advanced semiconductor technology across mobile, wearables, PC, XR, IoT, automotive and data centres.
The company has maintained a presence in Cork since 2013, and this year it celebrates 10 years since it hired its first engineer in the city. In that time, Qualcomm has embedded itself in the community and has built strong relationships with UCC, MTU, and Tyndall, helping support the next generation of Irish engineers through internships and graduate role opportunities.
This flagship project, which is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, plans to undertake a new RD&I project in Cork, leveraging current capabilities to align with Qualcomm’s diversification strategy beyond mobile technology into areas such as PC, extended reality, IoT, automotive, and data centres.
EVP, chief strategy and corporate development officer of Qualcomm Incorporated, Colin Ryan, said: “Qualcomm’s success and ongoing growth in Ireland reflect the strength of our partnerships with the Government, IDA Ireland and Irish universities. This investment underscores Cork’s importance as a strategic global R&D hub for Qualcomm and our commitment to supporting Ireland’s innovation ecosystem.”
IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said: “This €125 million R&D investment and the future jobs it will create, positions Qualcomm Ireland at the forefront of technological and product development in the AI-era. Today’s event also recognises a decade since Qualcomm hired its first engineer in Ireland, I wish you continued success and assure the team of IDA Ireland’s continued partnership and support.”
TechCentral Reporters