Lockheed Martin Bringing Launch System, 400 Jobs To Moorestown

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Lockheed Martin is set to bring nearly 400 new jobs to Moorestown in the next two years, according to the defense company and state officials.

The defense company has announced it is moving its Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) production from Baltimore to Moorestown.

Coupled with other operating changes, the facility at 199 Borton Landing Road can expect an increase of about 400 jobs by 2023.

“Lockheed Martin is one of the giants in the defense contracting industry and New Jersey is proud to call them a valued partner,” said Gov. Phil Murphy, who visited the facility on Tuesday. “The relocation of these high-paying engineering jobs to New Jersey is a testament to all that our state has to offer.”

“It was an honor to welcome Governor Murphy to our Moorestown facility,” Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Executive Vice President Stephanie Hill, Executive Vice President said. “Lockheed Martin has a proud history across the State of New Jersey – and that history will continue as we look to the future. We’re committed to growing our economic impact through the expansion of our Moorestown operations and the continued investment in high-technology jobs that support vital national security programs.”

The VLS production facility opened in Baltimore in 2016. The MK 41 VLS is the only launching system capable launching anti-air, anti-submarine, surface-to-surface and strike missiles and can receive orders from multiple weapon control systems to handle every warfighting mission, according to a Lockheed Martin announcement from that time.

The transition of VLS production will include more than $10 million in investments in new production facilities and tooling and will add 250 jobs by 2023, according to the defense company. It also said other program expansions will result in another 150 jobs added to the Moorestown facility over the same period. The jobs will mainly include high-paying engineering positions.

Lockheed Martin, which currently employs 4,500 people at the Moorestown facility, has postings for jobs, including Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors (IWSS) engineers, on its website.

“Lockheed Martin in Moorestown is primarily involved in the development and production of a variety of capabilities including radar and sensors, maritime systems and missile defense technology for a broad range of domestic and international customers,” the posting reads.

Candidates may be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

RCS first built and opened the facility now occupied by Lockheed Martin in 1953. It was later purchased by GE. In 1993, Martin Marietta, a predecessor to Lockheed Martin, purchased the facility.

Since 2012, Lockheed has made a total investment in New Jersey of $365 million, including the establishment of the Solid State Radar Integration Site (SSRIS) and the addition of a 47,000 square foot Advanced Product Development Center (APDC) in Camden.