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Advanced Manufacturing

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.

Industry Report

Industry Overview

In the Spotlight: Advanced Manufacturing

Yiming Huang

Yiming Huang

Software Test Engineer
Medtronic
Kadarieh Wiggins

Kadarieh Wiggins

CNC Machine Operator
Marble Today
Ronald Garvin, Jr.

Ronald Garvin, Jr.

Shop Technician III
Ring Power
Alex James

Alex James

Process Technician
Johnson & Johnson Vision

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

Read Brie’s Full Story

Brittany De Santelices

Brittany De Santelices

Engineering Manager
Johnson & Johnson

Possible Career Paths
  • Aircraft and Aviation Components
  • Aerospace and Defense Maintenance and Repair
  • Metal Products
  • Machinery
  • Defense Technologies

Popular Job Titles
  • Production Operator
  • Production Packer
  • Manufacturing Technician
  • Plant Operator
  • Production Worker
  • Machinist
  • Ironworker
  • Construction Worker
  • Industrial Electrician
  • Machine Operator
  • Chemical Compounder
  • Production Technician
  • Production Supervisor
  • Materials Handler

There is tremendous opportunity and job security in the advanced manufacturing field.

Alex JamesProcess Technician, Johnson and Johnson Vision

I can’t even describe the level of joy I’m feeling doing something that I know my dad’s so proud of.

Shannon BeechumFleet Readiness/SHR State Apprenticeship Student

If it wasn't for Mr. Wells (Baldwin Middle-High School teacher) and the Aeronautical Dual Enrollment program, I wouldn't have known about or applied for Embry-Riddle.

Ashlyn MomentEmbry-Riddle Spaceflight Operations Student

If high school graduates have interest and motivation to learn and work in a shipyard, they can begin at better than minimum wages with great benefits.

Ernie AglugubBAE Systems Training Specialist

We are always looking to attract and retain great talent…in high-demand-good paying careers in manufacturing.

Lake RayPresident, First Coast Manufacturers Association

It's been very rewarding. I can say I'm a diesel mechanic with pride.

Ronald Garvin, Jr.Shop Technician III, Ring Power