SANTA FE, N.M. – The Intel manufacturing plant in Rio Rancho will see a boost in hiring as the company continues to grow beyond its traditional PC and server businesses into data-rich markets, the company and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Tuesday.
Intel plans to expand its Rio Rancho workforce by over 300 employees in 2019.
Intel is a world leader in the design and manufacturing of essential technologies that power the cloud in an increasingly smart, connected world, and its products are addressing the explosive demands to process, analyze, store, and transfer data. Intel is the state’s largest manufacturing company and since opening the Rio Rancho facility in 1980 has invested more than $16 billion in New Mexico.
"The Rio Rancho site continues to be an important part of Intel’s global manufacturing network, and is manufacturing semiconductor products that are critical to Intel’s ability to secure, power and connect billions of devices and the infrastructure of the smart, connected world," said Intel Rio Rancho Site Manager, Katie Prouty.
"The decision by Intel to grow its workforce in Rio Rancho represents yet another significant positive investment being made in a New Mexico community and its workforce in recent weeks," said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. "My administration's business-friendly posture has paid dividends already -- and will continue to build momentum as we diversify and expand our economy to include greater incentives for New Mexicans to either stay here and work or return home from elsewhere."
Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes of the Economic Development Department said the Intel announcement comes on the heels of decisions by both Union Pacific to expand in Santa Teresa and Virgin Galactic to move 100 employees to Spaceport America as it prepares for commercial space launches.
"Businesses are seeing the advantages of New Mexico, our workforce, our climate, and our strong incentives," said Keyes. "This is good news as we work to diversify our economy and provide better jobs all across the state."
Intel employs about 1,200 in Rio Rancho with many highly skilled technicians, production managers, and engineers. The total compensation for each Intel job in Rio Rancho is $145,000. The new jobs are expected to be both local hires and relocations to New Mexico.
Several different kinds of technologies are supported at Intel's Rio Rancho facility, including Silicon Photonics, 3D Xpoint, Optane™ and NAND pathfinding. Rio Rancho's experienced workforce as well as the state's overall business climate contributed to the company's decision. The company added that New Mexico’s federal Congressional delegation, Sandoval County, and the City of Rio Rancho have always been supportive. “We recognize and appreciate their support, as well as all that the community has done to create a more positive business environment in New Mexico.”