Intel this week handed out pink slips to more than 2,000 workers across the USA

The latest of these job cuts saw 1,300 people let go at Intel's Hillsboro offices, a crucial research and development hub where many of the chipmaker's next-gen parts get their start.

First reported by the Oregonian on Tuesday, the layoffs are part of a massive staffing reduction that Intel announced in August following a disastrous second quarter. The job cuts will see the x86 giant cut 15 percent of its global workforce.

The layoffs in Oregon represent a little over five percent of Intel's workforce in the state, which totaled 23,000 employees at the start of the year. However, we'll note this figure may not encompass the full scope of staff reductions hitting the R&D hub. Including staff buyouts and early retirements, the brain drain could be even more substantial.

An Intel spokesperson told us the job cuts were made "As part of the broad-based cost savings plan we announced in August" and represent a "hard but necessary decisions to reduce the size of our workforce."

"These are the most difficult decisions we ever make, and we are treating people with care and respect," the spokesperson added,, stating that the cuts "support our strategy to become a leaner, simpler and more agile company as we position Intel for long-term sustainable growth.”