Melbourne, Florida, sits at the heart of Florida’s Space Coast, a region historically pivotal in America’s aerospace achievements. Today, Melbourne continues this legacy, rapidly emerging as a vibrant aerospace hub due to sustained growth driven by key government initiatives and private sector innovations. Over the past several years, organizations such as Space Florida have significantly boosted the region’s aerospace ecosystem by investing in launch and manufacturing infrastructure and fostering strategic partnerships between public entities and private firms, fueling job creation and technological advancements.
Melbourne’s strategic location near Cape Canaveral Spaceport and its robust network of academic institutions like the Florida Institute of Technology — which hosts leading aerospace and aviation research programs — have attracted major aerospace companies and ambitious startups alike. The region benefits greatly from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center proximity, which, in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and commercial aerospace firms, has solidified Melbourne’s position as a critical node in aerospace engineering, manufacturing and innovation.
The following aerospace companies are leading the charge in innovation and industry growth, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a powerhouse in aerospace development.
Aerospace Companies in Melbourne, Florida
- L3Harris Technologies
- Northrop Grumman
- Collins Aerospace
- Embraer
- Leonardo DRS
- Extant Aerospace
- Southeast Aerospace
- Avidyne
- Micro Aerospace Solutions
- Monroe Aerospace
Top Aerospace Companies in Melbourne, Florida
Northrop Grumman operates a 109-acre campus adjacent to Orlando Melbourne International Airport. The site supports work on critical defense programs, including surveillance and combat systems. The facility includes R&D, engineering and manufacturing teams that contribute to both national security and aerospace innovation.
Southeast Aerospace provides avionics upgrades, structural mods and component repairs at Melbourne International Airport. Its FAA-certified facility supports midlife aircraft overhauls for rotorcraft and fixed-wing platforms. SEA is also an authorized distributor for major avionics OEMs, maintaining a parts inventory exceeding 50,000 SKUs.
Collins Aerospace, an RTX subsidiary, has a location in Melbourne where it develops advanced avionics and communication systems. Its engineers in Florida support both commercial and military aviation platforms. The facility contributes to the design of cockpit systems, data links and integrated flight operations. The company plays a role in both software and hardware systems integration.
Leonardo DRS has an established Melbourne operations hub where it focuses on infrared imaging systems and battlefield electronics. The site supports both production and R&D for equipment used in ground-vehicle targeting and maritime surveillance. Leonardo DRS says it contributes to a range of defense modernization programs.
Monroe Aerospace is a distributor of aerospace-grade hardware, including fasteners, rivets and installation tools. Its Melbourne location serves both OEMs and MRO providers. The company supports supply chain needs across defense, commercial and general aviation segments. According to the company, it maintains an extensive inventory tailored to aerospace engineering and manufacturing requirements.
Avidyne Corporation develops integrated flight deck systems for general aviation. Its Melbourne R&D center engineers touchscreen displays, GPS navigators and ADS-B transponders. Avidyne reports over 10,000 active installations worldwide and remains a leader in retrofit avionics kits.
Embraer established its North American executive jet manufacturing plant in Melbourne, producing the Phenom 100 and 300 series aircraft. The on-site Technology Center, launched in 2020, handles advanced systems integration and flight testing. Embraer reports that the Melbourne plant has delivered over 400 jets to date, supporting regional suppliers and workforce development programs.
Micro Aerospace Solutions develops propulsion systems, attitude controls and flight electronics for small satellite missions. Its work supports NASA, commercial launch providers and academic research payloads. The company provides custom engineering for thrusters and telemetry systems used in spaceflight. The company specializes in lightweight, power-efficient components for nanosatellite platforms.
L3Harris Technologies is headquartered in Melbourne and is a major player in defense and aerospace systems integration. Its capabilities span communications, electronic warfare and avionics technologies. The company supports a wide range of missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR. L3Harris maintains engineering and production operations in the area, making it one of the largest private employers on Florida’s Space Coast.
Extant Aerospace specializes in repair, overhaul and manufacturing of legacy avionics modules no longer supported by the original equipment manufacturer, or OEMs. Operating in Melbourne, it holds FAA and EASA repair station certifications. According to Extant, it processes over 2,000 units annually for military and commercial operators, ensuring continuity for critical flight systems.
