Global Satellite Communications Leader Iridium Communications Inc. to Expand Headquarters in Fairfax County

Fairfax County, Virginia — Iridium Communications Inc., a global satellite communications company, will invest over $13 million to expand their headquarters into a 55,000-square-foot space in Fairfax County, Virginia. The project will support 117 new associates, expanding its Virginia workforce to nearly 400 over the coming years. Iridium currently employs 271 people throughout Virginia, with 126 of those employees reporting to the headquarters facility. The new positions supported by this expansion will also report to the new headquarters facility.

“Iridium is proud to continue having Fairfax County, Virginia as the home of our headquarters, and we appreciate the ongoing support of our State and Local leadership,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “Being based in such a centralized location just outside of our nation’s capital has many business-friendly benefits, from a corporate-friendly operating environment and convenience of two nearby major airports, to top institutions of higher education, a strong technology-focused industry presence and an excellent local talent pipeline.”

With its growing revenues and expansion of services like its ability to protect GPS against spoofing and jamming, and new initiatives to directly connect smartphones and other consumer devices to its satellite constellation, Iridium’s business growth demands a larger headquarters. The company’s new headquarters will expand its footprint by 20,000 square feet, from its current 35,000-square-foot space in Fairfax County. The new headquarters will be located at 1676 International Drive, Tysons. Construction is underway and expected to be ready for occupancy in March 2026.

“This significant headquarters expansion reaffirms Fairfax County’s status as the center of gravity for space innovation. When a global leader in this rapidly growing industry chooses to not only stay but grow here, it is a powerful endorsement of our unmatched talent and business ecosystem, world-class infrastructure, and commitment to pioneering discovery,” said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “I want to sincerely thank Iridium for continuing to invest in Fairfax County and for deepening their roots in our community.”

For over 25 years, Iridium has connected people, assets and machines, including ships and aircraft, anywhere on Earth through its operational constellation of interconnected low earth orbit satellites. The company’s customer base spans the globe and covers a broad range of industries, including maritime, aviation, government and defense, public safety, utilities, oil and gas, mining, forestry, heavy equipment and transportation. It is a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol IRDM.

“We are honored that Iridium has chosen to expand their global headquarters in Fairfax County as we share their ambition to reach farther, move faster and shape what’s next,” said Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of FCEDA. “Iridium’s continued growth is not just a win for our community, it is a defining moment for the future of our region’s growing space economy. This is where visionary companies come to scale because we don’t just support big ideas and innovation, we accelerate them.”

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure the project for Fairfax County and Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $400,000 grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist Fairfax County with the project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee recruitment and training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP).

“Iridium’s decision to expand its headquarters in Fairfax County is a clear signal that Virginia remains the destination of choice for global technology companies,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “The proximity and access to top-tier talent, world-class infrastructure and federal partners offers a strategic advantage to companies like Iridium that are redefining innovation and connectivity. We are proud to support this expansion and the creation of more than 100 high-quality jobs.”

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 About Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) 

FCEDA promotes Fairfax County as one of the world’s top locations for business and talent, and offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. FCEDA is headquartered in Tysons, Fairfax County’s largest business district, and maintains offices in key global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles and Seoul. For more information about FCEDA, visit www.fairfaxcountyeda.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube.