A high-tech fighter jet training company will land news jobs in Central Florida as it establishes operations in the region.
Santa Monica, California-based Red 6 Inc. will open a technology hub in Orlando, the company announced July 12. The new office is part of the defense startup’s move to Florida, as it also will relocate its headquarters to Miami, the company announced the same day.
Red 6 initially will create at least 100 jobs across the state. It is unknown how many of those jobs will be in Orlando.
Red 6 executives could not be reached for additional comment.
While it is unclear how much these new jobs will pay, tech positions typically mean high wages. For example, technology sector jobs in Orlando pay an average annual salary of $88,759, according to a report by Los Angeles-based commercial real estate brokerage CBRE Group Inc. (NYSE: CBRE). That’s more than the metro area’s average annual salary of $48,530, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The 3-year-old company created the Airborne Tactical Augmented Reality System, which allows pilots to see synthetic threats around them while flying. This enables more advanced and complete simulated training for military customers.
Florida drew the interest of Red 6 due to its low operating costs, strong talent pool, high-quality education options and high-growth environment, Chief Financial Officer Maissan Almaskati said in a prepared statement.
Plus, the nation’s Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines simulation operations are based in Central Florida Research Park, the nexus of the region's $6 billion modeling, simulation and training industry. An office in Orlando puts Red 6 near its military customers, George Cheros, CEO of the Orlando-based National Center for Simulation, told Orlando Business Journal. “That makes all the sense in the world.”
The relocation and expansion to the Sunshine State is the latest example of high-speed growth at the company. Red 6 in June announced it closed a $30 million investment round. In 2020, the firm landed an investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures, the investment arm of defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp.
Regional economic development group Orlando Economic Partnership and other leaders in local government and education helped entice Red 6 to Central Florida. Others involved with bringing the company to the region include the city of Orlando, Orange County, Full Sail University and University of Central Florida.
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