Boeing Opens New Engineering Center at Embry‑Riddle Research Park
The Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology, which is home to a newly opened Boeing Engineering Center.
Boeing has opened its new Boeing Engineering Center in the Cici & Hyatt Brown Center for Aerospace Technology at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park. The facility is now operational, expanding the company’s commitment to the region.
“This day represents an important milestone for Boeing, Embry‑Riddle and the broader Daytona Beach community,” said Dan Gillian, vice president and general manager, Boeing Air Dominance. “This engineering center will accelerate Boeing’s work on critical defense programs and deepen our partnership with Embry‑Riddle, giving us access to an exceptional talent pipeline and enabling collaboration to drive aerospace innovation.”
Mori Hosseini, chairman of Embry-Riddle’s Board of Trustees, also described the opening of the center as a milestone — not only for Embry-Riddle and the city of Daytona Beach but for all of Florida.
“We are delighted to welcome Boeing to our community, where their commitment to advancing aerospace technology strengthens our position at the top of the space triangle,” he said. “With Boeing’s partnership, hundreds of talented individuals and their families will now have opportunities to live, work and thrive here, investing in our local economy and supporting the future of aviation and aerospace. The impact — made possible by local philanthropists Cici and Hyatt Brown, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the legislature — is immeasurable. We applaud Boeing’s vital support in shaping innovation for generations to come.”
The Boeing Engineering Center spans 65,000 square feet and will support engineering design, research, development and prototyping for Boeing Defense, Space & Security Air Dominance programs, as well as advanced technology efforts. The center is anticipated to create approximately 400 high‑paying jobs in Daytona Beach and Volusia County as hiring continues.
“In addition to creating high-paying jobs, these collaborations cultivate a dynamic exchange between students, faculty and industry leaders, ensuring innovation thrives at the intersection of education and enterprise,” said P. Barry Butler, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University president. “We are delighted that Boeing’s new facility will draw on the rich pool of local talent and strengthen the vital pipeline between academic achievement and industry success — a partnership forged by the forward-thinking policies and steadfast support of both higher education and aerospace by the leadership of the state of Florida.”
Boeing is also investing $100,000 to support new STEM programming for the Boys & Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler counties, as well as to provide food for students in need through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
The Embry‑Riddle Research Park has been a significant driver of economic activity for the state, creating nearly 2,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs to date and generating more than $372 million in total economic impact in Florida. The addition of Boeing further strengthens the Research Park’s technology ecosystem, which brings university researchers and students together with businesses, entrepreneurs and start‑ups across aviation, aerospace, cybersecurity, commercial space and other STEM fields.