Despite the current economic gloom, two Rhode Island companies are expanding their technology staffs.

Insurance giant FM Global has announced plans to hire more than two dozen new employees in its information technology department between now and the end of the year.

The insurer is looking to fill 26 positions for experienced IT professionals, as well as 12 paid, student co-op positions. The company already has about 300 IT employees in Johnston and says it is one of the state’s largest IT employers.

FM Global said the available openings for experienced applicants include .NET developers and software engineers and business and data analysts.

Separately, Warwick-based Atrion Networking Corp. has expanded with the addition of a new Customer Interface Division in Pawtucket. The division will provide customer-support services for Atrion clients by answering and directing customer calls.

Atrion also said it plans to increase its staffing by an additional 20 to 30 percent over the next two years, mostly in Rhode Island.