FL STEM Navigator: News From the Field
Deep Dive: Williams International’s Florida Engine Plant Expansion
Audio Overview – a lively “deep dive” discussion that summarizes the key topics from this article for career seekers and students interested in aerospace manufacturing.
Career seekers and students in Florida considering future workforce opportunities should be aware of several key aspects regarding the Williams International aviation engine manufacturing investment and project in Okaloosa County:
Significant Job Creation: The manufacturing complex is projected to create 336 jobs. This represents a substantial opportunity for new employment in the region.
Competitive Wages: The jobs created will offer an average annual wage of $69,434, according to the county commissioner. This indicates a well-compensated career path within the manufacturing sector.
Long-Term Project and Growth: The project is a multi-phase development spanning over a decade.
- Construction of the first 250,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin in June 2025 and be completed in late 2026.
- A second 250,000-square-foot plant is anticipated to be finished in Q4 2028.
- A larger 500,000-square-foot facility is planned for completion between 2035 and 2036. This phased approach suggests sustained job opportunities and growth over time.
High Demand Industry: The investment is driven by “pressing customer demands” and “unprecedented demand for its products”…. This includes increased demand from the Department of Defense, which awarded Williams International a $253.7 million contract to boost engine production capacity for various weapon systems, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin-made missiles. This indicates a robust and growing need for skilled workers in this specialized field.
Strategic Location: The Okaloosa campus is strategically located in Shoal River Industrial Park near Crestview, Florida. Its proximity to state and major highways, the Ports of Pensacola and Panama City, two airports, and the Florida Gulf and Atlantic rail, as well as major customers like Boeing and Lockheed Martin and Eglin Air Force Base, makes it a prime location for long-term industrial activity and career stability.
Type of Industry and Company: Williams International is a Boeing supplier and a Michigan-based company specializing in gas-powered turbine engines. Future workforce members will be entering a high-tech, defense-related manufacturing sector.
In essence, this project represents a significant, long-term investment in advanced manufacturing in Florida, promising substantial job creation with competitive wages in a strategically important and growing industry….
