• Expansion comes on 10th anniversary of hiring its first engineer in Ireland and is expected to see headcount at Penrose and Horgan’s Quay facilities increase to more than 1000 people
• Latest investment helps strengthen Ireland and Cork’s position as a global hub for R&D, by creating 100s of highly skilled new R&D roles
• This investment will further support Qualcomm’s aim of advancing AI to make its core capabilities – perception, reasoning and action – ubiquitous across devices
January 16, 2026 - Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, has announced a €125m investment that will see the transformation of the Cork site 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.
Qualcomm Technologies has had 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,. XR/VR, IoT, automotive, and data centres.
Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment Peter Burke TD said:
"Today’s announcement by Qualcomm is a powerful endorsement of Ireland’s ambition to lead globally in advanced research, next generation computing and AI. This €125 million investment further strengthens Ireland’s position as a hub of deep tech innovation, creating hundreds of high value jobs. This announcement is also a signal of support for Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy, which aims to make Ireland a world leader in semiconductors through securing long term investments, developing a robust talent pipeline and seizing opportunities in technologies of the future such as AI.
Qualcomm’s continued expansion builds on Ireland’s strong semiconductor ecosystem and demonstrates the value of the collaborative environment we have fostered between industry, academia and Government. The Government is proud to support this strategically significant project through IDA Ireland, and I wish the team at Qualcomm the very best for the future."
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."
Vice President of Engineering at QT Technologies Ireland Limited, Paul Kelleher said:
"Qualcomm is proud of what we’ve achieved in Ireland—and we are even more excited about what’s ahead. We’re not just building technology; we’re shaping the future, right here in Cork.”
IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said:
“I wish to congratulate the entire team in Qualcomm on the announcement of this landmark investment - a substantial and complex project in both its scale and scope, reflecting its strategic and transformative nature. This €125m 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.”
Source: IDA
