BAE Systems has opened its new $150 million engineering and production facility in Austin, Texas, the latest in a series of strategic investments by the company in facilities across the country, including Manchester, NH, Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Huntsville, Ala.
The 390,000 square foot facility is located in the Parmer Austin Business Park. Half of the facility will be dedicated to manufacturing. The new campus also includes engineering design, a laboratory and offices. At the new site, the company has expanded its state-of-the-art manufacturing capability with a streamlined design that is easily reconfigurable to adapt to changing technologies. Expansion space exists within the manufacturing plant, ready to support future growth.
The facility is located near Capital Factory, a hub for entrepreneurs in Texas. BAE Systems is a member of Capital Factory’s Innovation Council and works with startups and small businesses to accelerate the development of new defense technologies.
“We are building our business, our talent and our brand in central Texas,” said Dave Harrold, vice president and general manager of countermeasures and electromagnetic attack solutions at BAE Systems Electronic Systems. “Our goal is to double our headcount in Austin over the next few years.”
BAE Systems Austin employees innovate for a wide range of programs in the areas of autonomy, cyber and sensor development. Work at the site will also focus on new and existing programs including the design, development and manufacture of radio frequency and electro-optical/infrared countermeasure systems, as well as aircraft electrification technology.
“BAE Systems and its former companies have had a presence in the Austin area for more than 65 years,” said Scott Hatch, director of the Austin Business Center. “Our company has been a global technology leader for generations. Now, we’re thrilled to have innovative Texas talent that continues to take us to the next level.
The new Austin site is part of the electronic systems business of BAE Systems, a world leader in the research, development, implementation and maintenance of advanced commercial, defense and space electronics.
