With a string of rocket launches nearly 60 miles to the north, hundreds of industry leaders, scientists and educators gathered on Florida’s Space Coast last week to assess the state’s foothold in semiconductor production.
Hosted by the Florida Semiconductor Institute and tech giant/defense contractor L3Harris, the 2025 Florida Semiconductor Summit analyzed a boundless industry that is struggling to keep up with demand and talent.
“Two themes stood out—momentum and opportunity,” said David Arnold, the George Kirkland Leadership professor at UF and director of the Florida Semiconductor Institute. “It’s clear that Florida is an established semiconductor powerhouse, but we also have capacity for significant growth. This summit marks a milestone in our state’s evolution, a turning point for acceleration and, ultimately, impact.”
More than 300 professionals attended the summit, representing more than 170 organizations, from government and academia to private industries and nonprofits. The theme was Looking Skyward in Aerospace and Defense.
The demand is clear. Chips are critical for nearly every aspect of our daily life. However, there are many special requirements for chips used in space and defense. With exponential growth in rocket launches and commercialization of space, Florida is uniquely positioned for this market growth.
Also clear is the workforce gap in the industry. As such, much of the summit focused on education and workforce development in the semiconductor space, not just in Florida but the United States.
The most common words at the three-day summit were “semiconductor ecosystems,” followed closely by “partnerships,” “education” and “engagement.” That ecosystem is the larger network of microelectronics manufacturers and support systems that work together to make the U.S. more competitive in a fierce global market.
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly touted Florida’s investments in the semiconductor industry and efforts to fill those workforce gaps.
“From 2022 until now, the state of Florida — with a number of initiatives from the governor, from the legislature — put well in excess of $400 million into mostly workforce-related semiconductor initiatives,” Kelly said at the summit. “That’s not just at the university level, but also at the sub-baccalaureate level.”
He cited growing initiatives at two-year colleges, trade schools and middle and high schools. He noted 24 school districts in Florida have new space academies.
Florida is the third largest state in the country in terms of semiconductor facilities and fifth for the number of jobs in the industry. Kelly said the state’s goal is to add 10,000 more jobs in the industry.
Florida’s semiconductor ecosystem is unique because of its presence in aerospace, aviation, transportation, national defense and multiple spaceports.
“We have big goals,” Kelly said. “Many companies in our state are supporting national defense. Many of our universities are intrinsically linked to our national defense, so the innovation in aviation and aerospace is uniquely protecting our country.”
The U.S. has a 50.2% share of the global semiconductor market, according to a 2024 analysis by the Semiconductor Industry Association. Fueled by the need for semiconductor chips in everything from satellites to phones to smart toothbrushes, the growth of the global market is surging, and players are scrambling to strengthen their tech workforce.
Dana Weinstein from Purdue University said 58% of new jobs across manufacturing and design will go unfilled by 2030.
Weinstein was one of many presenters from outside of Florida who spoke of national industry needs, initiatives and, certainly, partnerships.
The keynote roster also included Sarah Goforth from the National Science Foundation, Dev Shenoy of U.S. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Christopher Bailey from Arizona State University, Salman Nasir of Natcast (the nonprofit that manages the National Semiconductor Technology Center) and Mike Glavin from the SEMI Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps people find jobs in the microelectronics industry.
Also participating were representatives from large microelectronics hubs Midwest Microelectronics Consortium of Ohio and Silicon Crossroads of Indiana.
Speakers cited the need to bridge the workforce gap, starting with enhancing STEM programs in schools. The industry is in dire need of not just university-produced engineers but also non-degree workers. SEMI, for example, provides in-person school initiatives such as High Tech U, semiconductor days, resume reviews and mentors.
“We bring the industry to students,” Glavin said.
UF’s Florida Semiconductor Institute hosts outreach programs for schools, including professional-development days, industry mixers with students and a recent STEM Day at Neocity, the large epicenter of tech companies in Osceola County.
A substantial portion of semiconductor production is packaging, which is not making device containers so much as device-specific conduits connecting the chip to the item it powers. L3Harris Senior Scientist Alan Huffman’s presentation covered how innovative engineering and manufacturing techniques are allowing more power in a smaller space in microelectronics, which is a function of advanced packaging. The U.S. needs an advanced packaging ecosystem that keeps it ahead of competitors around the world, he said.
“Ninety-eight percent of all semiconductor-advanced and specialty packaging is done offshore,” said Tawny Olore of the Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine. “As we try to get those jobs back on shore, think about what we have to do to achieve that and the workforce development we have to do.”
“We’re looking to move the needle on that 98% statistic,” said Ivan Gonzales of the Orlando Economic Partnership. “We really want to engage our employers and our educational partners in such a way that it becomes something they are passionate about in kindergarten all the way to a doctorate.”
Speakers urged the industry to streamline the talent pipeline — getting good talent in place amid lengthy security clearances. But it will take industry cooperation.
“We’re going to out-ecosystem our ecosystem,” Gonzales added. “What I mean by that is we are going to play ball together. That goes all the way to the top in terms of policy and how employers engage with each other. This is a team sport — when one does well, other companies do well.”
The summit was held at the L3Harris facility in Palm Bay, which manufactures many diverse assets for the neighboring space industry and national defense. L3Harris is a leader in advanced microelectronics — designing, building and verifying innovative technology in secure fabrication and analysis labs to provide custom solutions on an efficient and accelerated timeline.
“We have responded to the exploding demand for secure, next-generation microelectronics made in the United States as competition from China accelerates,” said Dimitri Alves, general manager for L3Harris Microelectronics. “This technology is vital for U.S. national security because it is used in extremely important defense applications.”
Alves said L3Harris was proud to partner with FSI and UF.
“Together,” he said, “we are leading innovative microelectronics industry research and development while proactively working with policymakers on critical initiatives.”
UF’s Arnold called the summit a resounding success.
“It was incredible to hear from our technical leaders, learn about the breadth and depth of our workforce efforts, and experience firsthand our robust ecosystem,” he said.