Aloft AeroArchitects’ new engineering hub in Indianapolis, Indiana, will expand its workforce by 30%, marking the company's biggest capacity push in years as it aims to handle a heavier load of VVIP and special-mission modification programs.
The Indianapolis site, which opened in February, started with around 20 engineers across multiple disciplines, including structural, electrical, interior, mechanical, certification and program management. CEO Scott Meyer says the decision reflects both the scale of upcoming work and the need to widen the company’s access to experienced aerospace talent.
“A group of 20 engineers will expand the Aloft internal capacity by around 30% and will not only add capacity but add depth and expertise,” he tells Aviation Week. “This is an investment and strategy to build our next-generation team proactively.”
The Indianapolis team is assigned directly to Aloft’s active backlog, supporting Boeing and Airbus platforms, as well as several established product lines. These include auxiliary fuel systems, Gogo Galileo FDX antenna installations and 737 MAX family water‑system supplemental type certificates. Meyer notes that engineers will work across a wide range of integration tasks, including prototype and emerging‑technology installations.
The company expects the dual‑site model to function smoothly, pointing to decades of experience supporting operators across multiple time zones. Meyer says the organization’s established processes are designed to integrate teams across locations, and that senior engineers based at the company’s headquarters in Georgetown, Delaware, will help embed the company’s working methods in Indianapolis. Both sites operating in the same time zone is an added operational advantage, he adds.
Aloft’s certification work is also expected to benefit from the expansion. While the company’s Organizational Designation Authorization remains in Georgetown, the additional engineering resources will support a growing volume of complex cabin modification programs.
Meyer highlights the proximity of the Chicago metro area as another advantage, given its concentration of FAA expertise. He also points to a wider industry concern about aging workforce, noting that “a large percentage of FAA delegates are close to retirement,” and that the Indianapolis office strengthens the company’s ability to train early‑career engineers in certification disciplines.
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