RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Intel Corporation is preparing to lay off 227 employees at its Rio Rancho facility between now and September, according to internal forecasts. The cuts are part of a broader round of nationwide layoffs announced in April by newly appointed CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who stepped into the role amid efforts to streamline operations and reduce costs.
Intel currently employs around 3,100 people in New Mexico, making it one of the state’s largest private-sector employers. The Rio Rancho site has long been a cornerstone of Intel’s U.S. manufacturing footprint, and the company recently made a multi-billion-dollar investment in the facility aimed at expanding its advanced packaging and semiconductor capabilities.
That investment had led local officials and economic development leaders to believe the site would be insulated from job cuts. In interviews earlier this year, some expressed confidence that the plant’s strategic importance would protect it from broader corporate downsizing.
“We thought those positions were safe,” one official told the Albuquerque Journal.
However, the company has not released details about which departments or roles will be affected by the layoffs. It’s also unclear whether the cuts will impact manufacturing, engineering, or administrative positions.
The layoffs come as Intel navigates a challenging global semiconductor market, with increased competition, shifting demand, and pressure to maintain profitability while investing in next-generation chip technologies.
Intel has said the restructuring is necessary to remain competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving industry. The company has not yet commented publicly on the specific impact to its New Mexico operations.
