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SATELLITE ground infrastructure provider iDirect will tap into the technology-rich Killarney region to create more than 30 specialised engineering jobs over the course of five years.

VT iDirect, Inc (iDirect), a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology and a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc (VT Systems), today announced it will establish an engineering and innovation centre in Killarney.

The facility will help to create new engineering jobs in a technology-rich region of the world.

iDirect, which now has offices in The Reeks Gateway building in Killarney, is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

The project is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation through Industrial Development Agency (IDA) Ireland.

iDirect established its presence in Ireland following its 2014 acquisition of intellectual property (IP) from locally based Altobridge.

The IP acquired from the small-cell company focused on 2G and 3G solutions for cellular backhaul, is today integrated into existing iDirect solutions that enable the cellular backhaul market—a fast-growing market for VSAT service providers, driven by the need for mobile operators to extend their service offering into new geographical areas to capture greater revenue.

The new engineering roles that will be created at the facility will focus on software, firmware, hardware, radio frequency and systems engineering technologies.

“Satellite connectivity requires some of the best engineers in the world lending their unique set of skills to help solve highly critical challenges. And as the demand for satellite continues to accelerate around the globe, the continued expansion of engineering resources will be required in order to further its development,” said Mary Cotton, CEO, iDirect. “At iDirect, we are always looking for exceptional engineering talent, and we are thrilled to be opening a new Engineering and Innovation Centre right in the heart of Ireland, a country that is rich in talented, highly skilled technical engineers.”

The project was welcomed by Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell O’Connor. The Minister complimented the company on its new investment and said: "Bringing 30 quality technical jobs to County Kerry is very welcome and Killarney will benefit significantly from this investment. I am very supportive of attracting skilled jobs to regional centres.

“This is an endorsement of the Government's work in driving FDI to locations outside the main urban areas and, also on skills provision. It is very rewarding that projects like this, requiring specialist engineering expertise, can be located in a regional location. This new initiative will enhance Ireland's reputation for other new specialist ICT investments.”

IDA Ireland’s CEO Martin Shanahan said: “This is a unique technology project in a regional location like Killarney. It will be a valuable addition to the telecommunications sector in Ireland, and will be well positioned to respond to continuous growth in demand for satellite technologies in the EMEA region. The availability of appropriate technology talent and skills in the South West was an important consideration for the company and points to County Kerry being an excellent location for other companies in the sector. I wish the company every success here.”

With existing technology development centres located in Ottawa (Canada), Singapore, Cranfield (UK) as well as Herndon (US), iDirect expands its global engineering innovation footprint to a country that is rich in skilled information communications technology (ICT) professionals.

According to IDA Ireland, the country’s inward investment promotion agency that promotes foreign direct investment into Ireland through a wide range of services, Ireland today employs more than 37,000 in ICT and is the home to nine of the world’s top-10 companies in this industry.
 

 
IDA CEO Martin Shanahan pictured during a recent visit to iDirect’s new offices at The Reeks Gateway building in Killarney with iDrect’s VP of HR Amy Cahoon and senior engineer Tim Moriarty.