Qualcomm, the San Diego-based wireless technology giant, has started handing out pink slips to local employees as it begins its strategic realignment plan.
The plan, which ultimately means the company will cut 15 percent of its workforce, was announced in July in an effort to save $1.4 billion.
Now, Qualcomm is reducing the number of full-time employees and significantly cutting its temporary workforce.
However, company officials did not give NBC 7 the number of people affected in San Diego, just saying that they are notifying employees.
"We remain committed to our strategic realignment and cost reduction plans," said Qualcomm in a statement. "We underwent a thorough assessment to determine which roles and skill-sets will be needed to best support the future business. These decisions were driven by the near- and long-term strategic objectives for the business under our Strategic Realignment Plan."
The company is giving all affected employees at least 60 days of working notice. It is also providing a severance package, outplacement resources and career transition services, partnering with the Economic Development Council, EvoNexus and local universities to do so.
Under its realignment strategy, Qualcomm will also be streamlining its engineering department, increasing its mix of resources in lower-cost regions and reducing locations and invest in differentiated technology areas.
