RapidFlight to add 119 jobs at Manassas HQ

RapidFlight LLC, a designer and manufacturer of unmanned aircraft will invest $5.5 million to establish operations in Manassas, creating 119 jobs over the next three years, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Friday.

RapidFlight is an integrated, end-to-end provider of airborne drones. Founded in 2021 by RapidFlight President Jay Gundlach, the company works for national security and private sector clients. RapidFlight uses technology such as additive manufacturing, advanced avionics and propulsion systems. Gundlach has penned three books on unmanned aircraft and is considered an expert in the field.

The company will establish a 25,000-square-foot facility at 9617 Center St., renovating the former Georator Corp. building. This space will house its headquarters, design and production operations. The facility is near Manassas Regional Airport, home to a strong customer base for RapidFlight, including a growing number of aerospace firms, defense contractors and government agencies, according to a news release from the Manassas Department of Economic Development.

The jobs RapidFlight is hiring for include positions for engineers, manufacturing technicians, program managers, administrative staff and others.

“Virginia is uniquely positioned to lead the unmanned systems industry, and RapidFlight is on the cutting edge of developments in this innovative technology sector. We look forward to supporting the company’s growth in the city of Manassas,” Youngkin said. “Since Day One, we’ve declared that Virginia is open for business, and businesses such as RapidFlight are a prime example of the success and growth that businesses can achieve in the commonwealth.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the city of Manassas to secure the project for Virginia and will support RapidFlight’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment program.

“Virginia is an important state, providing unique access to decision makers, a world-class workforce, unmanned test infrastructure and an advanced materials industry,” Gundlach said. “Thanks to its central location on the East Coast, we can readily work face-to-face with our government customers while also leveraging Virginia’s unmanned systems’ infrastructure to conduct operations and test our systems, rapidly delivering new capabilities to our nation. There is something for everyone in Virginia, whether you love history, exploring nearby parks or attending a local concert or sporting event. It is a beautiful state to live, work and raise a family. RapidFlight is proud to be a Virginia company.”

It’s the second economic development announcement in recent months from an unmanned aircraft systems company growing its business in Virginia. In August, Virginia Beach-based DroneUp LLC announced it would add 655 jobs as part of a $27 million expansion that will include establishing a drone testing, training and research and development center at Richard Bland College.