Mobile networks provider Ericsson plans to hire 250 people at its research and development campus in Athlone over the next three years to support the development cloud products that support its global 5G portfolio.
The Swedish company will fill a number of highly skilled roles in software development, data science and architecture, and cloud and mobile communication engineering at all experience levels with support from the government through IDA Ireland.
Roles for cloud-native engineers will require competencies including Kubernetes, Docker, Helm, HCP, together with core programming languages such as Java, C++, JavaScript, Python and Golang.
The Nasdaq-listed firm has had an R&D centre in Athlone since 1979, and the site currently employs 1,200 developing its operations support systems (OSS) and Cloud radio access network (RAN) portfolio. The firm employs a further 200 at its Dublin base.
Denis Dullea, head of R&D at Ericsson Athlone, said staff at Athlone play a critical role in the development of Ericsson products, services and solutions and that the new hires would enhance the company's capability to deliver the benefits of cloud native technologies to customers worldwide.
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"The investment is also good news for Athlone and the wider midlands region, where Ericsson is one of the largest employers," he added.
"With strong ongoing partnerships with the IDA, the Irish government and the recently established Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), we are excited to continue attracting and nurturing the best and brightest Irish and international talent to the heart of Ireland.”
Enterprise minister Leo Varadkar said the announcement would provide "some really exciting opportunities" for the Midlands.
"It truly is a vote of confidence in Athlone and Ireland as a whole that such an internationally renowned company has chosen to make this investment.
"Thank you to Ericsson for their continuing commitment to our country and the Irish-based team who I know were crucial in the decision to bring this investment to Ireland.”
Minister Robert Troy added: "Ericsson is a well-established presence here in Athlone and its continued success and investment in its R&D Campus is testament to the fact that Westmeath, and indeed the Midlands as a whole is a great place to do business."
Photo: Denis Dullea, Robert Troy and Sinéad Pillion, head of operations at Ericsson Athlone. (Pic: Naoise Culhane)
