With industrial sites ranging from hundreds to more than a thousand acres, including two certified mega sites and a skilled, talented workforce, the Jacksonville region has proven its suitability for advanced manufacturing. As a result, many different types of products are made here, including coffee, contact lenses, aircraft and engines, medical devices, solar panels, wire rod, animatronics, windows, tactical armor, and batteries.
Jobs Corps is a career and technical training program for students 16 to 24 years old. James' grandmother was a graduate of the Job Corps program. His mother, who knew about the program, encouraged her son to enroll and live on campus.
"My mom was serious, yet so supportive," said James, a process Technician at Johnson and Johnson Vision (J&J Vision), the maker of ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses. The company's contact lenses are available in 100 countries.
James is one of the first participants to graduate from the J&J Vision partnership program at the Jobs Corps Center. The global lens manufacturer, headquartered in Jacksonville, invested in manufacturing technology training at Job Corps. J&J Vision placed state-of-the-art equipment at the center and provides the necessary support and mentors to make the program successful.
While at the Jobs Corps, James earned a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) certification with plans to go into the heating and cooling industry. Just days after earning his HVAC certification, he learned about the new J&J Vision advanced manufacturing program. He was intrigued by the opportunity, so he stayed on at the Job Corps and enrolled in the program.
"There is a tremendous opportunity and job security in the advanced manufacturing field," James said.
After graduating from the program, James started working at J&J Vision in March 2022. As a process technician, he is responsible for diagnosing problems with machines, completing audits and performing inspections.
"Each day is different - I never know what to expect," James said. "There are some days where you're troubleshooting and diagnostic skills come into play."
James enjoys his work and likes that his job requires him to draw upon his critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
James said, "This program has brought out the best in me."
At one time, James did not envision a career in advanced manufacturing. Now, he is working to earn certifications that will demonstrate his knowledge and understanding of the core competencies of manufacturing production. He is also looking at future industry training advancement opportunities.
"At Johnson & Johnson Vision, I am helping produce products that make life better," James said. "I see myself growing and taking on more responsibility at this company."
The Jacksonville Jobs Corp Center offers work-based learning programs in 10 trades. The programs offer on-the-job training and are available at no cost. James is grateful for the Jobs Corps/J&J Vision partnership, his mother's support and his faith in God.
"The program changed me in a multitude of ways," James said. "I've become more focused on my future and much more determined as a result of the success I've gained from my time being in the program."
Garvin, who is originally from Florida but grew up in Mississippi, played sports in high school and attended Belhaven University, where he was a member of the Blazers’ football team. After one semester, he transferred to Alcorn State University and decided not to pursue playing sports.
“I lost my love for playing football,” Garvin said. “I had to find myself and get on the right track in life.”
Garvin attended Alcorn for a year and a half. When he left, he was uncertain what he wanted to do as a career and concerned about the impact attending school was having on his finances.
“I didn’t want to be in school for so long that I ended up in debt,” Garvin said. He found work but the jobs didn’t provide him with much satisfaction.
In 2021, Garvin returned to Northeast Florida and discovered productivity and purpose after enrolling in the Diesel Systems Technician program at First Coast Technical College along with his father, Ronald Garvin, Sr.
Ronald’s father had purchased a semi-truck with an engine that needed to be overhauled. When a shop wanted to charge $13,000 for the repairs, they decided they would rather do the work themselves. A former student had told them about FCTC's Diesel program. Garvin’s father encouraged his son to sign up for the program and they enrolled together.
“Everyone in Northeast Florida drives trucks, but no one knows how to fix them,” Garvin said.
In the Diesel Systems Technician program, the Garvins learned how to diagnose, repair, overhaul, and assemble diesel trucks and machinery. They also learned how to maintain heavy equipment in a rapidly changing industry using a full systems approach. Not only did they learn how to repair their truck, their father/son relationship became closer from the experience.
They completed the program in 2023, preparing Garvin Jr. for employment with Ring Power as a Shop Technician III on Ring Power’s Utility Production team. Headquartered in St. Augustine, Ring Power Corporation is North and Central Florida’s Cat® dealer. The company is comprised of eight divisions and has 60 years of experience servicing and supporting Cat® products and allied equipment. Ring Power employs teams of skilled technicians who work on everything from equipment that builds roads and communities to engines that power marine vessels to generators big enough to power a hospital.
While FCTC prepared him for employment, Garvin’s understanding of electrical systems has grown with on the job training and support from his mentors at Ring Power. Garvin performs maintenance and repairs on equipment. He enjoys problem solving and is not afraid of challenges. He says patience, persistence and precision has been the key to his success.
“It’s been very rewarding,” said Garvin. “I can say I’m a diesel mechanic with pride.”
Garvin is enthusiastic about the trades, which offer well-paying and secure career opportunities. He also is passionate about sharing his love of the trades with others.
“This experience has been life-changing for me,” Garvin said.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Florida State University in 2024, Huang transitioned to full-time employment as a Software Test Engineer at Medtronic in Jacksonville. The company develops and manufactures a wide range of products and therapies to diagnose, prevent and monitor more than 70 chronic conditions. In the past year, its therapies have improved the lives of more than 78 million people worldwide.
“Medtronic’s mission is to alleviate pain, restore health and extend life,” Huang said. “It is extremely rewarding to know that the work that I’m involved with is helping to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.”
Huang plays a key role in the testing and quality assurance processes to ensure the reliability and performance of Medtronic’s advanced medical devices. Her responsibilities, which include designing, developing and executing test automation frameworks including troubleshooting and maintaining test documentation, require attention to detail, critical thinking skills and technical proficiency. She works independently on projects and collaborates with team members on products and priorities.
“Collaborating is a great way to align on goals and deliverables with my colleagues,” Huang said.
Huang’s mother, an engineer, inspired her interest at an early age. As a student at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Huang participated in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, a rigorous, two-year curriculum, and the Stellar Academy of Engineering, which provided hands-on learning in software design and opportunities to earn professional industry certifications in design software programs including AutoCAD.
“I gained hands-on experience working on fun, interesting projects, and it made me realize how much I like problem solving and creativity,” Huang said.
While at FSU, Huang completed four summer internships at Medtronic including two in the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Internship Program, an internship experience targeting rising college freshman and sophomores. The WISE initiative focuses on advancing women in engineering and science roles with real-world experiences and mentorship opportunities.
“Building relationships with mentors and peers is one of the best ways to grow in your career,” Huang said.
During the summers between her junior and senior years, Huang completed two corporate internships where she gained hands-on experience and worked on real-world products. The internships also provided opportunities to experience Medtronic’s culture through professional development, networking and social events.
“My internships at Medtronic were the highlight of my college journey,” Huang said. “They provided me with a deeper understanding of the healthcare industry while giving me an opportunity to learn about programming and software.”
Her enthusiasm for healthcare technology inspired Huang to pursue a full-time position after graduation. Medtronic offers diverse technical and business careers that provide a platform for recent graduates to develop their talents. The company has been recognized for its commitment to individuals beginning their careers and named multiple times as Best Employers for New Graduates by Forbes Magazine.
Huang’s advice to students—explore opportunities and find your passion. “Never be afraid to try new things,” she said. “Stay curious and see what excites you the most.”
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Northeast Florida offers manufacturers several benefits. The area’s infrastructure, competitive business climate and access to talent, differentiate Jacksonville from other areas of the country.
Advanced Manufacturing leverages innovative technologies to improve existing products as well as create new ones. Today’s manufacturing roles required a blend of advanced skills, technical aptitude and experience. This includes production activities that depend on information, automation, computation, software, sensing, and networking. It offers modern, technology-driven career options in multiple different career paths Jacksonville is also a fitting location to incubate new and emerging manufacturing operations.
When evaluating annual demand, Material Moving and Assembly/Production roles rank the highest. Certainly, a variety of roles are needed in any manufacturing setting. In the next several years, the industry will lose a significant number of skilled workers due to retirement, leaving many open jobs.
Today’s manufacturing roles required a blend of advanced skills, technical knowledge and experience. Explore this page to determine how to become part of this high-growth industry that offers plentiful opportunities for growth and advancement.
Advanced Manufacturing Companies in the Region
De Santelices is a Vision engineering manager at Johnson & Johnson, a global leader in eye care innovation with headquarters in Jacksonville. Jacksonville site operations include manufacturing, distribution, finance, marketing and research and development. Products made here are used across the world in more than 100 countries.
“The most rewarding aspect of my work is the fact that we’re manufacturing contact lenses, which help people see every day. Sight is probably the most important sense that we have, and we’re touching the lives of millions of people by giving them the ability to see,” De Santelices claims.
De Santelices was born in Jacksonville, and while she moved away to Ohio for several years growing up, she always wanted to return to Northeast Florida. She made this dream possible by enrolling at the University of North Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
While she was a student, De Santelices was on the planning committee for Expanding Your Horizons, an outreach organization co-led by Johnson & Johnson and the University of North Florida. This opportunity allowed her to meet Johnson & Johnson employees and become familiar with the company. When De Santelices saw an internship at Johnson & Johnson working on its Vision Care portfolio, posted in the university’s career services department, she was excited to apply and eventually begin her internship.
“It’s important to leverage the services that the school provides as well as to do as much outreach as possible because you’re getting to expand your network, which then provides you with a lot of opportunities that you may not have otherwise,” she says.
De Santelices’s internship with Johnson & Johnson created a pathway for a long-term career at the company. In her role as a Vision Engineering Manager, De Santelices manages a technical team that oversees the manufacturing equipment. Her team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the equipment as well as the long-term roadmap for the fleet.
“The technology that I oversee is one of the newest technologies at our site, so we’re bringing in this new equipment as well as launching some of our new products from this technology,” she states.
De Santelices shares that a strong technical foundation and understanding of the manufacturing process are key to success in her engineering role. She also emphasizes the importance of soft skills—communication, teamwork, collaboration and influence—in becoming a well-rounded leader.
From working with the director of engineering at the University of North Florida to being inspired by the leadership at Johnson & Johnson, De Santelices has been influenced by the mentors and managers in her career and hopes to give that same inspiration to female engineers in the future.
De Santelices is grateful for her previous experiences and opportunities, saying, “Early in my career, I had a lot of amazing managers and mentors, and I saw the impact my relationship with them had both on me and my career. I knew that was something I wanted to do—so not only to continue to grow myself, but I wanted to help people achieve their dreams.”
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