OpTech expanding Loudoun satellite plant

Optimum Technologies, a Sterling space flight hardware designer and manufacturer, plans to expand its Loudoun County satellite manufacturing plant, a project expected to create 40 jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday.

Known as OpTech, the company will invest $999,000 in the expansion, according to the governor’s office. OpTech was founded in Virginia in 2015 and specializes in aerospace products related to satellite, ground and missions systems engineering and includes the U.S. Department of Defense among its customers. The company also holds civil and commercial contracts.

“OpTech continues to expand due to high growth in the space sector,” Timothy Rumford, OpTech’s executive vice president, said in a statement. “We have seen great demand for our hardware and services and have outgrown our original [satellite manufacturing facility] that was opened in 2022. Our new facility will give us approximately five times the capacity and help continue our growth plans and, in turn, help support our nation’s needs for rapid and low-cost access to space.”

OpTech was founded by CEO Jeffrey Gick and Chief Operating Officer John Hildebrand, who both were employed at Orbital Sciences Corp., while Gick worked previously at Hughes Space & Communications, and Hildebrand was at Lockheed Martin and United Space Alliance earlier in his career.

“Optimum Technologies’ decision to expand its manufacturing facility in Loudoun County demonstrates the trust manufacturers have in Virginia,” Youngkin said. “The company is a key component of the Northern Virginia aerospace industry, and we are gratified to see this investment.”

According to the governor’s office, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Loudoun County to secure the project, and the Virginia Jobs Investment Program will support recruitment and training of the new employees at no cost to OpTech.