Siemens and JetZero Breaks Ground on North Carolina Campus

A manufacturing campus covering 8 million square feet across 600 acres has begun construction in Greensboro, North Carolina. 

To put the scale in perspective, the facility is equivalent to approximately 140 football pitches. 

California-based JetZero announced a US$4.7bn investment for the production facility in 2024, a project that could create more than 14,500 jobs, according to the company.

The factory was co-designed with Siemens' Smart Infrastructure, Electrification and Automation divisions to use digital and industrial AI tools. According to JetZero, it represents the largest economic development project in North Carolina's history.

The company secured investments and conditional purchase agreements from Alaska Airlines and United Airlines for its Z4 aircraft, which is designed for the commercial middle market with a 250-passenger capacity and a range of up to 5,000 nautical miles. 

JetZero was also selected by the US Air Force to design, test and integrate structures and systems into a full-scale blended wing body demonstrator aircraft, slated to fly in 2027. 

The company is also developing military variants of its aircraft, including an aerial refueller and transport aircraft.

Digital twin factory design

JetZero's Greensboro plant will be designed using digital and AI platforms developed with Siemens and Deloitte. These platforms allow engineers to build a complete digital twin of the factory before any concrete is poured. 

The methodology tests how machines, people and materials will move through the building.

According to Grand View Research, the global digital twin market stood at US$35.82bn in 2025 and is expected to reach US$49.47bn in 2026. 

The technology is seeing accelerating adoption across manufacturing, aerospace and construction, as companies seek to reduce costs and improve efficiency before breaking ground.

Tom O'Leary, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of JetZero, says: "By using the best digital tools available before we break ground, we've designed a factory that can grow and change with us. That means we can deliver better aircraft, faster, for our customers and our country."

Ann Fairchild, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens USA, says: "Our partnership with JetZero demonstrates how cutting-edge industrial technology can help reindustrialise America. Digital twins help bring the next generation of manufacturing facilities to life faster and with greater confidence."

Siemens also supports JetZero's design, build and test model for its demonstrator aircraft. The company received a US$235m contract from the Department of Defense in 2023 for that programme.

North Carolina workforce development

JetZero was founded in California in 2021, its investors include United Airlines Ventures and Northrop Grumman.

According to the company, its site in Greensboro was supported by the largest state-level incentive package for any startup in any industry.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein says: "Today, a great new chapter in North Carolina's storied history of flight is taking off. JetZero's decision to build here is a vote of confidence in North Carolina's workforce, our universities and community colleges and our long aerospace tradition."

Tom says: "It should come as no surprise that JetZero is breaking ground here in North Carolina. North Carolina has a vision for its future as a global aerospace hub, and JetZero shares that vision."