Anduril Industries has announced a $1 billion investment to construct a new 1.18 million-square-foot campus that will span Long Beach and Lakewood in Southern California. The facility is expected to open in mid-2027 and will support about 5,500 direct jobs on site, with additional indirect employment through construction, security, and supporting services. Anduril will maintain its headquarters in Costa Mesa.
The new campus will include laboratory space, prototype manufacturing facilities, and areas for engineers and software developers. The expansion is part of the company’s plan to support long-term growth within California.
Governor Gavin Newsom commented on the announcement: “Anduril’s world-class innovation and deep California roots are helping shape the next generation of America’s aerospace and defense industry. With this major investment, they are reinforcing California’s leadership in this critical sector, creating good-paying jobs and strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem.”
Anduril Industries develops advanced defense technologies such as drones, missiles, robotic submarines, and autonomous fighter jets. The company currently employs around 7,000 people across 35 locations, with about half based in Southern California. The region is recognized as one of the fastest-growing hubs for innovative space technology and advanced manufacturing in the United States due to its skilled technical workforce and longstanding ties to U.S. defense and aviation industries.
California is home to roughly one-third of all U.S. space technology companies and employs more aerospace engineers and defense personnel than any other state. According to state data, the aerospace and defense sector contributes an estimated $35 billion annually to California’s gross domestic product (GDP). This sector has been identified as an “accelerate” area under Governor Newsom’s California Jobs First Blueprint initiative.
California continues to be a leading economic force nationally by supporting business growth across various sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, venture capital investment, and tourism. The state’s growing population and record tourism spending have contributed to ongoing economic expansion.
