As it celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Skunk Works is in the middle of a huge and unexplained growth spurt.
The Palmdale, California-based unit of Lockheed Martin focused on the most advanced and secretive projects employed about 3,000 workers last year. It has about 3,500 employees now. And that’s about halfway to a near-term goal of about 4,000. On-boarding sessions for new employees used to be held every other week, but are now scheduled twice a week — and they’re full.
“The number is moving so quickly we hesitate to give a number,” says Craig Johnson, the Skunk Works’ director of Business Strategy and Development, during a meeting with reporters in Palmdale.
The reason or reasons behind the hiring spree — representing a 33% jump over the 2017 payroll on top of retirements and departures — is not totally clear. It may be an indicator of a recent major programme launch.
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