Pacific Engineering Opens New Omaha Manufacturing Plant
The 150,000-square-foot facility creates 150 jobs, intensifying the local search for skilled manufacturing labor.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Pacific Engineering has opened a 150,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in the North Omaha Business Park along Abbott Drive. The facility is the business park's first tenant and will support a U.S. Navy contract for sea-launched cruise missile components.
Why it matters
The expansion reflects an ongoing growth strategy to address the national manufacturing workforce deficit, which is projected to reach 2.4 million vacancies by 2028. By localizing production and partnering on educational initiatives, the firm aims to build a pipeline of skilled labor for defense-related manufacturing.
Pacific Engineering plans to create 150 jobs at its new 150,000-square-foot facility, which serves as the anchor for the North Omaha Business Park. This development follows a $90 million investment in the business park supported by the $335 million Economic Recovery Act for Omaha.
The players
Pacific Engineering
A manufacturer of specialized components for government defense technology.
U.S. Navy
The branch of the U.S. Armed Forces overseeing the procurement of national defense hardware.
Metropolitan Community College
An Omaha-based educational institution providing vocational training and workforce development programs.
The details
The facility produces components for the nation's nuclear deterrent, specifically for sea-launched cruise missiles. To combat the industry-wide labor shortage, Pacific Engineering is collaborating with Metropolitan Community College to provide vocational training for students. The firm also plans to introduce proprietary training tools into local schools to accelerate career readiness.
Timeline
2018: A Deloitte study projected a 2.4 million manufacturing job deficit.
October 2026: Pacific Engineering was awarded a U.S. Navy contract.
October 21, 2026: Pacific Engineering opened their new facility.
2028: Projected target year for manufacturing workforce deficit.
Market Landscape
Pacific Engineering's expansion aligns with the labor gap trends identified in the 2018 Deloitte study. The project serves as a test case for integrating academic training with specialized defense production to counter the projected 2028 manufacturing labor shortfall.
Local manufacturers should monitor the labor market competition as Pacific Engineering begins its hiring push for 150 positions. Firms may need to evaluate their own educational partnerships with Metropolitan Community College to remain competitive for skilled technical talent.
The takeaway
Manufacturers looking to expand should analyze the local labor supply gaps identified by the 2018 Deloitte report to determine if direct school partnerships can yield a talent advantage. Track the hiring progress at the Abbott Drive facility as a benchmark for local defense industry recruitment success.
Further reading
For additional insights on industrial shifts in the region, visit the Manufacturing section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wowt.
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