We are beyond thrilled to officially welcome Sodern America, a global leader in satellite defense and communications technology, into Douglas County!

 

Announced on February 2, 2026, by Governor Jared Polis and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), this expansion marks a significant milestone for our local economy and solidifies Douglas County’s reputation as a top destination for international aerospace innovation.

 

Sodern America, a subsidiary of the France-based ArianeGroup, conducted a competitive multi-state search that considered sites in Alabama, California, and Texas before choosing Colorado. Ultimately, the company selected Englewood in Douglas County for its first ever U.S. expansion.

• A Thriving Ecosystem: Colorado is home to over 2,000 aerospace companies. Sodern America joins a prestigious neighborhood that includes industry titans like Lockheed Martin and Blue Origin.
• Unrivaled Talent: With more than 27,000 aerospace workers already in Douglas County, our region offers the highly skilled workforce necessary for advanced optronic manufacturing.
• Strategic Collaboration: This win was the result of a year-long effort involving the DCEDC, Metro Denver EDC, Denver South, and the Colorado Space Coalition.

 

“This partnership positions us as a leader in the aerospace industry, showcasing our strategic location, high quality of life, and talented workforce. This investment will create new jobs in advanced manufacturing and drive innovation that will enhance our community’s future.” — Ellie Reynolds, President and CEO of Douglas County EDC.

 

Innovation Heading to Englewood

Sodern is world-renowned for its high-precision optronic equipment. Their new 14,000-square-foot facility in Englewood will feature a state-of-the-art clean room for the assembly, integration, and testing of:

1. Star Trackers: Essential navigation instruments that allow satellites to determine their orientation by “mapping” the stars.
2. Space Cameras: High-performance imaging systems used for everything from national security to deep-space exploration missions.

 

Economic Impact: High-Quality Jobs

This expansion isn’t just about technology, it’s about the people. Sodern America is expected to create approximately 20 new, high-paying jobs in our community. These roles will span several critical sectors:

• Engineering (Aerospace and Optical)
• Production and Quality Control
• Supply Chain Management
• Business Development

 

Supporting Growth

To support this transition, the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved performance-based tax credits, and Douglas County has provided local incentives to ensure Sodern America has the tools it needs to scale.

As Sodern America CEO Tiphaine Louradour noted, being local allows the company to respond with “greater flexibility to our customers’ needs.” We are proud to provide the foundation for that agility and look forward to seeing Sodern’s technology reach new heights.

 

Welcome to the neighborhood, Sodern America!