Intel may double embedded tech staff in Penang

THE world's biggest chipmaker, Intel Corp, could double the number of staff for its Embedded and Communications Group (ECG) in Penang over the next three to five years.

The move is part of a bid to tap into the global ECG market which is expected to be worth in excess of US$10 billion (RM32.42 billion) by 2011.

The ECG market refers to microprocessors and chips which are found in non-computer devices like consumer electronics, medical equipment, surveillance systems and Internet handheld devices.

"We will also make incremental investments in Penang, which serves as the largest offshore ECG site for the company," Intel Corp's digital enterprise group vice-president Doug Davis told reporters in Penang on Thursday.

ECG Penang now boasts some 220 staff and is one of two offshore sites for Intel with the other located in Shannon, Ireland. The main ECG site in Arizona, the US, has about 600 staff.

The Penang site currently houses various functional teams from silicon design and validation, software engineering, modular computing board development, planning, operations, product and technical marketing, along with business development.

Davis said the company is looking at advanced engineering capabilities and deep technical skills and will not limit its recruitment activities to Malaysia.

"The ECG sites we are likely to grow most will be Penang and Ireland," he said, adding that Penang had proven its capabilities in product development and customer support for Intel's ECG operations.