Software development and product engineering at JLR are to be expanded with a new tech facility in Portland, Oregan, where the manufacturer already has a tech center.
The new 50,000ft2 office will be developed by private real estate investment company Langley Investment and managed by The Instant Group, and will have 80 employees.
The OEM’s engineering center in Portland was opened in 2013 and has laid down deep roots through partnerships with government and regulatory agencies, participation in technology and industry advocacy groups, and it work with non-profits supporting access to technology, workforce training for underrepresented groups, and community betterment.
Thomas Mueller, executive director, product engineering, JLR, said, “I’m super excited to share that we are expanding our software hub in Portland as we grow our global software development capabilities. The new cutting-edge facility is central to developing innovative technology to advance software development and user experience design – a key element in how we deliver a modern luxury experience for our clients. There is a wealth of tech skills in Portland which we can explore, ensuring we harness the best talent for JLR.”
Senior director of software engineering and site operations, Blake Lyman, said, “This expansion is an exciting moment for our Portland operation as we continue our work designing the digital space, including user-facing features known and loved by users of JLR’s brands and vehicles, and supporting partners on the West Coast. We’re proud of the talent at our facility that delivers the latest technology to address critical driving information, infotainment, speech interaction, and more that are of high importance to our customers.”
Anna Langley, principal, Langley Investment, said, “We are pleased to deliver a long-term, single-tenant credit lease to our investors. The commitment from Jaguar Land Rover to Redfox Commons is a major accomplishment for Portland and bodes well for the future.”
Nestor Eliadis, EVP of real estate and development, The Instant Group, commented, “Having worked with us on multiple managed offices around the world, JLR sought our delivery expertise and operational capability to amplify their culture and brand in Portland. We are thrilled that our managed office solution enabled our client to land their ideal R&D workspace and achieve their financial objectives while easing the build-out and driving the office experience upon occupancy.”