PDW Expands National Engineering Footprint with New Denver and Boston Locations

New locations deepen access to leading technology talent and connect engineering and innovation to scaled manufacturing in Alabama.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Performance Drone Works (PDW) today announced the opening of new locations in Denver and Boston. The American defense technology company designs, engineers, and manufactures unmanned systems and software for defense and public safety. The expansion strengthens PDW's national engineering footprint and its capacity to develop, integrate, and transition next-generation autonomous systems into production.

The expansion reflects PDW's long-term strategy of investing in the people, infrastructure, and technical environments needed to move quickly from concept to fielded capability for warfighters and frontline operators. Together, the new locations will strengthen collaboration across research, engineering, design, prototyping, systems integration, and manufacturing.

"The speed of engineering determines how quickly new capability reaches the field. A great prototype sitting on a shelf does not help anyone," said James Slider, CEO of PDW. "Expanding in Denver and Boston gives us access to leading talent and should strengthen our ability to solve hard problems, move quickly and connect innovation directly to production at DF01. That is how we deliver mission-ready systems and put decisive airpower in the hands of every operator."

PDW Denver, led by Chief Engineer Brandon Pearce, began operations in June. The facility brings together software, autonomy, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams focused on advancing PDW's next generation of drones and robotic systems. Working closely with teams at Drone Factory 01 (DF01) in Huntsville, Alabama, Denver engineers will rapidly transition new capabilities from concept to production.

PDW Boston, led by Chief Engineer Dave Weatherwax, will open this October and provide a dedicated environment for advanced development, rapid prototyping, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across PDW's aircraft, software, communications, and mission systems.

"Building better systems requires continuously advancing both the technology and the team behind it," said Brian Burke, PDW's SVP of Engineering. "At PDW, we combine strong engineering talent with direct operator feedback to improve our designs, respond to changing battlefield requirements and move capability into the hands of warfighters faster."

In addition to opening offices in Boston and Denver, PDW expanded its domestic footprint this summer through the acquisition of Vanteon Corporation in Rochester, New York.

Active hiring is underway across the company for software, autonomy, electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering positions. Over time, both locations will also support a limited number of corporate functions, including sales and administrative roles. To learn more about PDW or explore career opportunities, visit www.pdw.ai.

About PDW

Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Performance Drone Works (PDW) is a defense technology company developing multi-mission aerial robotic systems for defense, government, and public safety customers. The company bridges the gap between low-capability drones and high-end platforms, delivering scalable airpower at the edge. Designed from the operator outward and produced at scale in the United States, its systems are shaped by real-world deployments and built to perform under pressure. PDW is building a new category of tactical robotic systems and the industrial capacity to deliver them, with a mission to bring decisive airpower into the hands of every operator.

SOURCE Performance Drone Works, LLC