In Goleta’s “Infrared Valley,” Lockheed Martin’s Santa Barbara Focalplane — part of the global security and aerospace giant’s Missiles and Fire Control Division — aims to establish a pipeline for homegrown students to support its production of infrared sensors. While the Goleta company doesn’t manufacture missiles, its sensors are the “eyeballs” of military aircraft, satellites, and medical screenings, among other things.
“This area is a crucible of technology and capability that you can find nowhere else in the world,” said Missiles and Fire Control Executive Vice President Tim Cahill during a recent visit to the facility. “The team here is a gem in our crown.”
However, even this global defense and aerospace company faces challenges in recruiting skilled employees to Santa Barbara due to the area’s housing crisis and labor shortage.
