News Summary

Lockheed Martin is set to lay off 64 employees at its Andover, Massachusetts facility by July 5. The layoffs primarily affect engineering and product operations roles and reflect broader economic pressures within the defense sector. The facility has recently been involved in the GridStar Flow Battery project, which is now faced with uncertainties. Local job support resources will be made available for affected employees as the layoffs approach.

Andover, Massachusetts – Lockheed Martin will lay off 64 employees from its Andover facility, with the layoffs set to take effect no later than July 5, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice. The announcement came during the week of May 9 and affects workers primarily in engineering, product operations, and quality roles.

The Andover facility, located at 160 Dascomb Road, serves as one of Lockheed Martin’s key Missiles and Fire Control locations. It has been notably involved in developing, testing, and producing the GridStar Flow Battery project, which is earmarked as a zero-carbon energy solution. As of 2023, the facility had a headcount of 51 employees, predominantly engineers, who have contributed to various initiatives within the company.

A representative from Lockheed Martin indicated that the layoffs were a consequence of an annual business review; however, no specific reasons for the workforce reduction were provided. The company operates ten Missiles and Fire Control locations across the United States, with only two facilities in Massachusetts: Andover and Chelmsford. The Chelmsford location, which employs around 350 individuals, was not included in the WARN notice.

The layoffs at Lockheed Martin’s Andover facility represent a significant job loss for the area, compounding an already challenging employment landscape. Recently, Symbotic LLC also announced plans to lay off 400 employees by the end of June, further contributing to the economic strain in the region.

In addition to job losses, the future of the GridStar Flow project remains uncertain, as documents related to it have largely been removed from Lockheed Martin’s website. Inquiries regarding the program now appear to be directed towards the U.S. Army and the Romanian Ministry of Energy, raising questions about the project’s current status and ongoing developments.

Lockheed Martin has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to delivering defense capabilities while focusing on innovation, efficiency, and affordability. The decision to lay off employees comes in the context of ongoing economic pressures faced by the defense contracting industry, which has recently experienced shifts in demand and operational adjustments.

As the Andover facility prepares for the impending layoffs, affected employees are urged to seek support resources available for those facing job transitions. Local employment agencies and workforce development programs may provide assistance in the days leading up to the layoffs to help workers navigate new employment opportunities.