Satellite Navigation Company Opens Fort Wright Office, Creating Up To 20 Engineering Positions

JAVAD GNSS expands research and development operations in Kenton County

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 18, 2023) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear congratulated JAVAD GNSS, a manufacturer of satellite navigation receivers, on its expansion in Kenton County. The additional U.S. facility will focus on research, development and engineering design for precision satellite navigation and will be a creative center for professional engineers in firmware development and electronic design. The Fort Wright office will create up to 20 well-paying engineering positions.

“Expanding the R&D and engineering presence throughout the state is going to better position Kentucky for a successful economy and workforce,” said Gov. Beshear. “The commonwealth has the resources, the location and the people to make this happen, and our momentum is only growing. I want to thank the leadership at JAVAD GNSS for their commitment to Kentucky and I’m excited to see their future success in Fort Wright.”

The new Fort Wright office will accelerate product development and R&D while tapping engineering graduates from the local universities to stimulate creativity and new technology adoption. The Kentucky center will further expand the company’s “Made in USA” strength, adding to its modern electronic manufacturing facility at its Silicon Valley headquarters. The decision to establish a new U.S. location was driven by the increased importance for domestic development, engineering and manufacturing for advanced applications in the geospatial, military, aerospace and marine industry segments.

“As JAVAD GNSS continues to grow both domestically and internationally, we are committed to high standards of design and innovation to provide robust and reliable satellite navigation products to the global market,” said Mitra Ashjaee, CEO of JAVAD GNSS. “This expansion of our engineering capabilities into Kentucky is a deliberate step in our growth and vision to produce first-class products in the USA. JAVAD is excited to work in Fort Wright and participate in the high-tech community for engineering innovations.”

JAVAD GNSS was founded in 2007, built on a legacy of decades of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) pioneering by Dr. Javad Ashjaee. An international satellite navigation company with headquarters and manufacturing in San Jose, California, JAVAD’s technology enables people, products and machines to globally locate themselves precisely and reliably.

The new Fort Wright office expands on Kentucky’s aerospace-related sectors, which includes more than 100 facilities in the state employing nearly 23,500 workers. The project also adds to the state’s R&D in the physical, engineering and life sciences industries, which employ around 2,500 Kentuckians across 360 establishments. In addition, the engineering services industry employs over 11,000 workers across more than 1,000 facilities in the state.

Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann was grateful JAVAD chose Fort Wright for its new U.S. office. 

“I appreciate JAVAD choosing Kenton County to be the home of its new research and development center for satellite navigation applications,” said Judge Knochelmann. “Northern Kentucky has a lot to offer companies looking for an educated workforce and a hospitable environment for knowledge-based economic opportunities.”  

Fort Wright Mayor Dave Hatter welcomed the new office JAVAD is opening in Northern Kentucky. 

“As a technology professional with more than 30 years in the industry, I’m thrilled to welcome up to 20 new well-paying technology jobs to Fort Wright,” said Mayor Hatter. “With more than 6,000 engineering students graduating within 100 miles each year, our region offers JAVAD a large, talented workforce to draw upon as well as excellent amenities, low taxes, a family friendly environment and convenient access to the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan region and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Fort Wright is open for business and a great place to live, work and play. We are excited to welcome JAVAD to our community.”

BE NKY Growth Partnership President & CEO Lee Crume shared that JAVAD is an ideal company to locate in Northern Kentucky. 

“Having a new R&D center for a Silicon Valley-based company in our growing electronics manufacturing subcluster is a big win for Northern Kentucky,” said Crume. “The talent in our region will contribute to JAVAD’s sophisticated high-tech products that are manufactured in the U.S.”

JAVAD’s investment and job creation furthers recent economic momentum in the commonwealth, as the state builds back stronger from the effects of the pandemic.