Boeing [NYSE: BA] has officially opened its new Engineering Center within the Cici& Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology, located at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park. With operations now underway, the center marks a significant expansion of Boeing’s presence in Central Florida.
“This is a proud day for Boeing, Embry-Riddle, and the greater Daytona Beach area,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager of Boeing Air Dominance. “The new center will play a key role in advancing critical national defense programs while strengthening our collaboration with Embry-Riddle. This partnership provides direct access to a strong talent pool and supports continued progress in aerospace development.”
The 65,000-square-foot facility will focus on design, research, prototyping, and other advanced engineering work for Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Air Dominance programs. The company expects to create approximately 400 new high-skilled jobs in Daytona Beach and Volusia County as part of its ongoing hiring efforts.
“In addition to bringing high-wage opportunities to the region, this partnership supports hands-on engagement between students, faculty, and professionals in the field,” said P Barry Butler, president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. “Boeing’s investment highlights the strength of Florida’s commitment to education and aerospace, and we’re proud to help connect classroom learning with real-world impact.” As part of its broader community engagement, Boeing is contributing $100,000 toward STEM education programs for the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia and Flagler counties, and to support student nutrition through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
The Embry-Riddle Research Park has become a hub for innovation and job growth in the state. To date, the park has generated nearly 2,000 jobs—direct, indirect, and induced—and contributed over $372 million to Florida’s economy. The addition of Boeing’s facility further boosts the region’s growing technology sector, bringing together academic researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and businesses across aerospace, cybersecurity, commercial space, and related fields.
