Northrop Grumman Unveils New 300,000-Square-Foot Engineering Facility in Melbourne
By Space Coast Daily // August 5, 2026
New facility will accommodate more than 1,200 engineers and feature 17 secure laboratories
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Northrop Grumman showcased its growing role in Florida’s aerospace and defense industry during an employee celebration at the company’s Melbourne campus, where thousands of workers support some of the nation’s most critical defense programs.
The event was held inside the high bay of Northrop Grumman’s newest facility and brought together employees and local, state and federal leaders.
The 300,000-square-foot engineering facility will provide space for more than 1,200 engineers and include 17 secure laboratories dedicated to advanced aircraft design and development. Company officials said the expansion strengthens Melbourne’s position as a center for next-generation airpower and sixth-generation aircraft development.
“We’re continuing to grow in Florida, turning years of investment and experience into real capabilities our warfighters need,” said Tom Jones, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems. “This facility reinforces Melbourne as the epicenter of sixth-generation aircraft.”
Jones noted that aerospace and defense facilities are sometimes celebrated differently because of the classified work conducted inside.
“Most times, we host ribbon-cuttings when we open the doors to a new facility,” Jones said. “In our world, we also celebrate by closing them, because our people are about to get to work on things in this facility that we can’t talk about.”
Jones said the building will soon house cutting-edge laboratories where hundreds of skilled engineers will work together to develop advanced capabilities.
“This is what momentum looks like,” Jones said.
Northrop Grumman’s Melbourne campus is home to approximately 5,000 employees and encompasses about 2 million square feet of facilities space.
The latest expansion reflects the Space Coast’s increasingly important role in the nation’s defense industrial base.
U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, who represents Florida’s 8th Congressional District, described the dedication of Building 250 as an important investment in Brevard County and national security.
“I was honored to join Northrop Grumman for the dedication of Building 250 in Melbourne—a major investment in Florida’s Space Coast, our workforce, and our national security,” Haridopolos said.
“As our defense industrial base continues to grow, Brevard County remains at the forefront of developing the technologies and capabilities that keep America safe. Northrop Grumman’s continued expansion means more high-skilled jobs, stronger partnerships, and a stronger future for Florida.”
