Manufacturing is building in-house capability
On October 29, Honeywell Aerospace announced plans for a $500 million, 300,000-square-foot factory in Tempe, Arizona, near its global headquarters. Per trade reports, the plant will add in-house complex machining and rely on digital production systems, modular robotics, automated inspection and digital twins, to serve both commercial aviation and defense programs.
Days earlier, Pratt & Whitney confirmed a $100 million expansion of its Rzeszów, Poland, plant. Construction has begun on added capacity for critical rotating engine parts used in the GTF, F135 and F100 engines, with operations expected to start in 2028.
The takeaway for employers: advanced, automated factories still need machinists, manufacturing and quality engineers, controls and automation specialists, and inspectors who can work alongside the technology.
Repair and overhaul capacity keeps expanding
Aviation Week’s October MRO roundup shows how broad the build-out is:
- Air India broke ground on a Delhi MRO facility with a hangar able to hold a widebody and a narrowbody at once (Oct. 26).
- Ascent began IAI’s 777-300ERSF freighter conversions in Marana, Arizona, with two parallel lines in new widebody hangars (Oct. 26).
- ITP Aero Mexico received FAA authorization to test CFM56 and LEAP engines at its Querétaro bench (Oct. 14).
- StandardAero landed LEAP-1A performance restoration work from Air Corsica and a PW127M support deal with TAROM (Oct. 27-28).
- Tarmac Aerosave opened a 15,000 m² dismantling area in Tarbes, France, aiming to double its processing capacity (Oct. 22).
More hangars, test cells and engine shops mean more demand for A&P mechanics, avionics and borescope specialists, engine test technicians, and the planners, estimators and aftermarket sales professionals who keep work flowing.
The talent race is the real story
MRO providers are racing for the same people. Aviation Week reported earlier this year that providers are expanding international recruiting and educational partnerships, with AAR alone adding 200 staff. The training pipeline is moving too: Etihad Engineering launched what it calls the first MRO-led CAR 147 maintenance engineering program in Abu Dhabi on October 28, and HAECO signed a training MoU with Vietnam’s UNETI on October 23.
What this means for employers and job seekers
For employers: Capacity announcements are only as good as the staffing behind them. Companies that move early on sourcing, offer clear development paths, and recruit for both technical and commercial roles will win. Waiting for active applicants alone will not keep pace.
For professionals: Demand for hands-on technicians, manufacturing and design engineers, and technical sales and account managers with aviation aftermarket knowledge is strong, and employers are competing on training, flexibility and benefits.
Aviation Recruiting connects aviation manufacturing, MRO, engineering and sales employers with the specialists they need. Hiring or exploring your next move? Visit aviationrecruiting.net.
