Harris Corporation plans to invest more than $125 million in internal research and development (R&D) in Florida this fiscal year.
Harris Corporation will conduct Florida-based R&D activities at the company’s Central Florida locations — focusing on areas such as electronic warfare, robotics, avionics and smallsats.
Harris Corporation said the region will receive over a third of the company’s overall $300 million-plus annual internal R&D budget – representing an industry-leading 5 percent of company revenue.
The internal R&D will support the company’s nearly 7,000 employment base in Florida, including over 3,300 engineers and scientists, as well as generate new high-paying positions. The company pays an average salary of $95,000 in Florida and has about 375 openings in the state, primarily in engineering.
“As the largest Aerospace and Defense company headquartered in Florida, Harris Corp plays an integral role in our state,” said U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL).
Harris spends more than $200 million annually with Florida based suppliers. The company also partners with multiple Florida colleges and universities, including the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida and Florida Institute of Technology.
“Our R&D investment is good for our stakeholders and the state – advancing the company’s technical capabilities and bringing high-quality jobs to the area,” said William M. Brown, chairman, president and CEO.
Harris has 15 locations with 3.5 million square feet of office and manufacturing space, including the 464,000-square-foot Harris Technology Centerand 23,000-square-foot Global Innovation Center.
