Performance Drone Works Expands Engineering Reach to Denver and Boston

The expansion strategy centers on bridging the gap between innovation and field-ready manufacturing. The Denver facility, operational since June under Chief Engineer Brandon Pearce, integrates software, electrical, and mechanical engineering teams. These units work in tandem with the company’s Drone Factory 01 in Alabama to push new robotic systems through the development cycle. In October, a new Boston location led by Chief Engineer Dave Weatherwax will launch, focusing on rapid prototyping and cross-disciplinary collaboration for aircraft and communication systems.

CEO James Slider emphasized that the speed of engineering is the primary metric for operational success, arguing that theoretical prototypes provide little value to frontline operators. By decentralizing its design efforts while maintaining a core manufacturing hub in Alabama, the company intends to iterate faster in response to changing battlefield requirements. This growth follows the recent acquisition of Vanteon Corporation in Rochester, New York, as the firm seeks to bolster its domestic capacity. PDW is currently recruiting engineering talent across these new sites to support its mission of fielding tactical robotic systems at scale.