A US-BASED multinational technology firm is to create 100 jobs in Dublin over the next two years as part of a new investment.

Maxim Integrated Products, which designs and manufactures semiconductor products, said it would set up an international business operation with the creation of 50 jobs by mid to late 2010. An additional 50 jobs will be created by 2012.

The company’s products are used in devices such as mobile phones, laptops, handheld internet devices, cameras, set-top boxes and LCD televisions.

Recruitment has begun for the positions, which include accountants, financial analysts, supply-chain specialists, IT technicians and customer service staff.

Maxim’s new business, financial and technical customer services centre will serve the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, along with parts of Asia.

The establishment of the centre is supported by IDA Ireland.

Maxim vice-president and senior counsel Ed Medlin pointed to the availability of a highly technical workforce as a key factor in the decision to establish a base here. “A large part of our growth is dependent on the [Europe, Middle East and Africa] region and the Dublin centre is designed to support that,” he said.

“Ireland has a technically skilled workforce but also a government with an established commitment to supporting research and development.”

Paul McCambridge, managing director of the new Irish division, which will be called Maxim Products International, said the firm spent 25 per cent of revenue on research and development and introduced one new product a day on average. “That’s a phenomenal level of gearing towards new products,” said Mr McCambridge.

Maxim, set up in 1983 and with headquarters in Silicon Valley, has been profitable every year since it went public in 1988.

It employs about 8,800 people worldwide and operates 34 international technology centres.