Software Firm To Establish Centre Of Excellence In Belfast

An international software development and consultancy company is set to create 15 software engineering jobs with the establishment of a new Software Centre of Excellence in Belfast.

Bitwise, a company that creates software across the medical, automotive, aerospace and financial sectors, is establishing the facility with £1.35 million, representing its first ever investment in Northern Ireland.

With an average salary of £45,000, job opportunities are at consultant, senior software engineer and software engineer level. Invest Northern Ireland has offered £97,500 towards the creation of the new jobs.

Craig McWhirter, Managing Director and Founder at Bitwise, said: "In the software sector it is always important to be one step ahead of technological changes. We recognise that much of our success is thanks to the strong talent in our existing engineering teams. By establishing a new software centre in Belfast we will increase innovation as we tap into the high calibre of talent in Northern Ireland.

"The support we have received from Invest NI to advance our company in NI has been invaluable. The NI team will play a key role in contributing towards the overall growth of the company, growing sales with existing clients and developing opportunities for new clients."

Bitewise's client portfolio boasts some of the largest blue-chip companies across the UK, Europe and the US. The firm, which is headquartered in Dunfermline, Scotland already has centres in Sweden and the Netherlands. The new base will be established within The Gasworks area of Belfast.

Head of International Investment at Invest NI, Derek Andrews said the creation of a Centre of Excellence reflects the high calibre of the local talent pool.

"NI is a leading location for innovative software projects and Bitwise's presence in the region will help to develop this further," Mr Andrews commented.

"Deeming the office as a Software Centre of Excellence highlights the high level of skills and expertise NI has to offer and places NI as the ideal location for global companies to achieve success."

Ross Wootton, Head of Strategic Projects and NI Site Lead, Bitwise, added: "Our software engineers have skills and expertise not readily available from other software services companies. Combining this with the local software engineering talent pool provides a fantastic opportunity to grow and develop our team and client base. The Belfast team shall integrate fully with the existing Bitwise engineering teams, working on a range of interesting projects with real engineering challenges."



(JG/MH)