Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that Keysight Technologies, a leading provider of electronic design and test software, equipment and services, will expand the company’s presence by opening an operation in Atlanta. This project will create more than 200 software engineering jobs and represents an investment of $13.9 million.

“Georgia’s workforce is among the best in the country. Their talents and skills, paired with Georgia’s existing technology infrastructure, offer valuable resources for innovative and growing high-tech companies,” said Deal. "Keysight Technologies’ decision to establish a presence in Atlanta speaks to Georgia's status as a thriving hub for the technology industry. The strength of our higher education system and Keysight’s partnership with Georgia Tech further bolster this status."

Keysight produces electronic measurement instruments and systems, and related software and services that are used in the design, development, manufacture, installation, deployment and operation of electronics equipment.

“We are excited by the opportunities and innovation that our new software development center will generate,” said Keysight president and CEO Ron Nersesian. “Georgia Tech has one of the best engineering programs in the country, and its students bring with them skills and capabilities that will be a great asset to Keysight. We believe that the education, inquisitiveness and enthusiasm of this new team, under Keysight leadership, will incubate ideas and solutions that will fuel a wide range of next generation technology innovations.”

The company, a byproduct of Agilent Technologies, is headquartered in Santa Rosa, Calif., with major U.S. sites in California and Colorado, as well as other locations around the world. Keysight will be looking to hire software engineers and managers in Atlanta.

"I am excited that Keysight Technologies will be one of the first companies to call the high-performance computing center at Georgia Tech home. This is another victory for the City and Invest Atlanta in attracting more companies and establishing Atlanta as one of the fastest growing innovation centers in the United States,” said City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. “Over the past several years, Midtown has been a growing epicenter of innovation for not only Atlanta, but for the entire Southeastern region, and we are confident that trend will only continue.”

Keysight has had a long-standing relationship with the Georgia Institute of Technology. Keysight CEO Ron Nersesian serves on Georgia Tech President G. P. “Bud” Peterson’s advisory board, and Georgia Tech was a leading factor in Keysight’s decision to establish an operation in Georgia.

“One of the most attractive aspects of the innovation neighborhood we have created in Tech Square is not just the number of startups, but also the many Fortune 500 companies opening a presence there. Keysight Technologies is a perfect example - Keysight’s legacy includes Hewlett-Packard, and most recently Agilent Technologies, and they want access to the technologies and talent at Georgia Tech,” said Peterson. “Georgia Tech, in partnership with the Governor’s Office, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Atlanta Mayor’s Office, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is pleased to welcome innovative companies like Keysight to Tech Square, creating jobs and growing Georgia’s economy.”

“Keysight’s continued investments in the state, and Georgia Tech, are further evidence that we are providing the research and workforce needed by the technology industry, not only today, but for the future," added Gary S. May, dean of the College of Engineering and Southern Company Chair at Georgia Tech. "Technological innovation has been a hallmark of engineering education at Georgia Tech and our work with Keysight will help create additional pathways from the lab to commercial applications. The state will benefit not only from the employment of highly trained workers but by the growing presence of an international technology company with a major emphasis on research and development. ”

“At Georgia Tech, we offer the largest, most diverse electrical and computer engineering program in the United States and regularly produce the largest number of engineers in those disciplines in the country,” said Steven W. McLaughlin, professor and the Steve W. Chaddick Chair of the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “We have enjoyed longstanding educational and research and development partnerships with Keysight, and we are thrilled that they have decided to open this new operation in Atlanta. This will add yet another dimension to our relationship, as it presents an opportunity for our graduates who specialize in this area and who wish to stay in Atlanta to contribute to Georgia’s ever-growing high-tech economy.” 

“Keysight’s expansion to metro Atlanta is a win-win for the electronics leader and our region's workforce,” said Metro Atlanta Chamber President and CEO Hala Moddelmog. “As the sixth fastest growing market for technology talent, our region is well positioned to provide Keysight with the skilled professionals needed to fill the more than 200 jobs that it's adding to our economy.”

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) project manager Ashley Morris represented the Global Commerce division throughout this project in partnership with the City of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta, Georgia Tech, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Power.

“Georgia’s education system – from its leading pre-k programs to its nationally ranked colleges, universities, and institutes – develops the talent required to fill jobs at every level,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. “Keysight’s decision to bring their newest operation to Georgia is a testament to the academic foundation that’s here, and we are excited to see them continue to drive innovation with Georgia’s best and brightest.”