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Hitachi Could Bring More Than 200 Jobs To Colorado

DENVER (CBS4)- A subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. will open a research and development center in Douglas County, bringing with it hundreds of jobs over the next five years.

Hitachi will hire 200 people in the first phase of hiring. The positions are tech jobs expected to help set Colorado apart as the Silicon Valley of the Rocky Mountain West.

"You're getting a company that is at the heart of the technology business, rapidly growing and that growth is going to be centered right here in Colorado," said Hitachi Data Systems Executive V.P. and General Manager Randy DeMont.

"Your success is our success. We recognize that very, very clearly," said Gov. John Hickenlooper.

"They are going to be great jobs, software engineers, hardware engineers, services people," said DeMont.

About a year ago, Arrow Electronics Inc. transferred its global headquarters to Englewood and has added about 400 jobs.

"What you're starting to see is a momentum and a real depth that is starting to develop around those industries," said Ken Lund, director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development.

"Denver is in the top five communities for IT talent, I'd say in the nation," said Robert Half Technology Division Director Ted Hellmuth.

Hellmuth said it is a very competitive field. Software engineers in Douglas County earn about $94,000 to $144,000 a year. Hardware engineers earn about 10 percent more.

"The best way to set yourself apart is to have the right technical skills that the job listing is asking for," said Hellmuth.

"We're one of the 50th largest companies in the world," said DeMont. "Three hundred sixty thousand employees that generate $120 billion in revenue every year."

According to CBS Money Watch, Hitachi is one of the best work, life balance companies to work for.

Local job seekers will likely compete against people from outside Colorado for some of the 200 positions. Hitachi will eventually add jobs in areas like human resources, finance and marketing.

Hitachi also is considering a possible call center in Douglas County. About 50 people already work for HDS in downtown Denver.

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