5 Reasons semiconductor companies are choosing Ireland

The Semiconductor industry in Ireland can be traced back to 1976 when Analog Devices opened a Fab in Limerick. With the opening of Intel’s European manufacturing & technology Headquarters in 1989 near Dublin, Ireland was really put on the map as a key hub for the semiconductor industry.

Thirty-nine years from the birth of ‘Silicon Ireland’ there is now a melting pot of innovation and international collaboration among; experienced engineers, skilled graduates, researchers, multinational and Indigenous companies that are involved in all stages of the semiconductor value chain from initial design through to fabrication. And, with the the European Commissions plan for wide-ranging investment in the production of microchips and research and development in the sector. This ambitious proposal presents a very significant opportunity for further growth in Ireland.

So, what makes Ireland so appealing to semiconductor companies and how can this benefit you?

1. HIGHLY SPECIALISED SKILLS AND TALENT

Internationally sought after skills are available from; research, design and manufacturing perspectives in Analog, Mixed-Signal, RF and DSP. This is accompanied by access to a European labour pool of 200 million people and Ireland’s strengths in STEM subjects to supply skilled graduates.

2. ESTABLISHED SEMICONDUCTOR CLUSTER

Ireland has a long established presence in the semiconductor industry with representation across the entire value chain and the proven ability to deliver large scale projects across a range of business activities. Multinational companies include: Intel, Analog Devices, Maxim Integrated, Xilinx, OnSemiconductor, Microsemi, Synopsys, Texas Instruments, Lam Research, Applied Materials and Cypress Semiconductor

3. VIBRANT START-UP SEMICONDUCTOR SCENE

Irish based start-up companies Commergy, Firecomms, GloNav, ChipSensors, Mingoa, Duolog and Redmere have all been acquired in the last six years for over $100M. In the last five years Ikon Semiconductor, Decawave, Powervation and Movidius have raised over €30M.

4. EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH CENTRES AND INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

Science Foundation Ireland and industry-funded centres provide a dynamic partnership between leading researchers in their respective fields and industry.

1. CRANN – Adaptive Nanostructure & Nano-devices.
2. AMBER – Advanced Materials and BioEngineering.
3. IPIC – Irish Photonics Integration Centre.
4. Connect – The Centre for Future Networks and Communications.
5. TRIL – Technology Research for Independent Living.
6. MCCI – Microelectronics Circuits Centre.
7. Clarity – Centre for Sensor Web Technologies.
8. Insight Centre for Data Analytics - derive value from ‘Big Data’ and provide innovative technology solutions for industry.
9. IMR - Irish Manufacturing Research - manufacturing Research and Technology organisation with labs and industrial pilot lines in Dublin and Mullingar.  
10. Tyndall National Institute – Microelectronics and Nano-electronics, Microsystems , Photonics & Wafer Fabrication.

5. BUSINESS FRIENDLY TAX ENVIRONMENT

The Irish tax regime is both open and transparent, offering a competitive corporation tax, extensive tax treaty network and a 25% R&D tax credit.  If you are considering relocation and you work in the areas below with the relevant skills and experience, please do get in touch.

• Digital ASIC Design, skilled in VHDL / Verilog coding, from 2 – 20 years’ experience
• Digital ASIC Verification (SystemVerilog, UVM, OVM)
• Digital Physical Design – experts in the RTL-GDSII flow

Alternatively, if you would like to discuss semiconductor career opportunities, current job vacancies or come in and meet with a member of our team, click here.