Intel on Monday opened a research and development center in Bucharest that will focus on software development.
The center will initially employ two dozen employees and focus on software such as Meego, a Linux-based OS for use in devices including smartphones, TVs or in-vehicle entertainment systems. The Meego OS is being developed by The Linux Foundation, with heavy backing from Intel.
The center's workforce is expected to expand by three to four times, Intel said in a statement. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the time frame for that expansion.
Intel is known primarily as a microprocessor company, but has also been trying to expand its software operations. Romania has a rich university environment and software engineering talent, said Renee James, Intel senior vice president and general manager, Software and Services Group, in a statement.
Intel already has a well-established research and development network across European countries including Germany, France, Spain, the U.K., Switzerland, Poland and Finland.
The company has expanded its operations significantly over the past few weeks.
Intel last month said it would invest between $US6 billion and $8 billion over multiple years to build a new plant and improve existing manufacturing plants in the U.S. The company last month also announced the opening of a $1 billion chip testing and assembly facility in Vietnam.