The Next Web reports that according to their sources, Apple is expanding its workforce in Israel, dipping into the pool of former Texas Instruments employees available in the country. They are looking to build up their research and development centers in Hertezliya and Haifa.
According to sources close to the situation, Apple has been hiring “dozens” of engineers from Texas Instruments after the company began cutting around 250 jobs from its Ra’anana development center as it looks to lay off around 1,700 employees (about 5 percent of its total workforce) globally.
Many of the engineers working at the development center were focused on the development of TI’s OMAP and radio (including WiFi and Bluetooth) chips, which are used a number of new smartphone and tablet devices.
TI announced in September that it would be winding down its operations in OMAP chips to focus on embedded platforms, which would lead to layoffs of its Israeli workforce. Apple is now reported to be taking advantage of the situation.
Apple began looking to hire engineers for its Haifa research center earlier this year. The company sought hardware engineers specializing in chip development with strong emphasis on electrical circuits, analogue and hardware testing and verification.
The former TI employees will likely focus on projects being led by SVP Bob Mansfield, who was put in charge of the new Technologies Group following Apple’s executive reshuffling back in October.
