Ericsson has announced plans to create more than 250 jobs at its Athlone-based R&D Centre to support the company’s ongoing 5G network development.
Currently employing more than 1,200 people in its Athlone base, Ericsson is seeking to hire highly-skilled workers in the spheres of software development, engineering, and data science over the next three years. The expansion of their research and development hub is being supported by the Irish Industrial Development Agency, the government agency to encourage foreign direct investment into the country.
Ericsson is seeking to “enhance [their] capability to deliver the benefits of cloud-native technologies” in conjunction with its existing 5G infrastructure in the country, according to Denis Dullea, Head of Research and Development at the company’s Athlone headquarters. In conjunction with Vodafone in 2019, Ericsson was the first company to launch commercial 5G coverage in Ireland and their networks facilitate more than 40% of the world’s mobile traffic.
One of the largest Irish-based software development companies, Ericsson was thanked by An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Leo Varadkar for “their continuing commitment to our country”.
“This is really great news.” Varadkar said in reaction to the announcement, “Ericsson is expanding further, adding 250 new jobs to the 1400 the company already employs here. These new jobs are in new areas in cloud-native technologies, providing 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.”
Similar praise was given to the Swedish multinational company by IDA Ireland CEO, Martin Shanahan who said:
“Today’s significant announcement by Ericsson, a company that has had a presence here in Ireland since 1957 and an R&D facility in Athlone since 1979 is terrific news and demonstrates this global leader’s continued commitment to its operations here.”
“These jobs and the associated investment will have a substantial impact on both the local and regional economy.”
Featured image: Sinéad Pillion, Head of Operations Ericsson Athlone, with Minister of State Robert Troy and Denis Dullea, Head of R&D Ericsson Athlone
