Brevard County's 50 largest employers — and where to live near each.

1

Governmentest. ~10,000 employees

NASA Kennedy Space Center

Merritt Island

America's primary launch operations center occupies most of north Merritt Island and the Cape Canaveral barrier complex. The combined federal civil servant workforce plus aerospace contractor workforce — Boeing, SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA, Lockheed Martin, Sierra Space, and dozens more — makes KSC the single largest employment hub on Florida's Space Coast.

2

Educationest. ~9,000 employees

Brevard Public Schools

Countywide (HQ: Viera)

Florida's tenth-largest school district serves more than 73,000 students across 80-plus schools. Administrative offices sit in Viera while teaching, support, and operations staff are distributed from Mims to Palm Bay — making Brevard Schools the dominant employer in nearly every residential corridor of the county.

3

Healthcareest. ~8,500 employees

Health First

Rockledge HQ; Holmes (Melbourne), Cape Canaveral, Palm Bay, Viera Hospitals

Brevard's largest health system operates four hospitals — Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Cape Canaveral Hospital, Palm Bay Hospital, and Viera Hospital — plus a vertically integrated health plan and dozens of outpatient clinics. The Rockledge headquarters and the Holmes campus together account for the bulk of Health First's clinical and administrative workforce.

4

Aerospace & Defenseest. ~7,000 employees

L3Harris Technologies

Melbourne (Global HQ)

Defense electronics and communications giant formed by the 2019 merger of Harris Corporation and L3 Technologies, and headquartered in Melbourne. Engineers, software developers, and program managers work across multiple Melbourne-area campuses on radar systems, avionics, intelligence systems, and tactical communications — the densest aerospace engineering workforce in the metro.

5

Governmentest. ~7,000 employees

Patrick Space Force Base

Cape Canaveral / Satellite Beach

Combined Patrick Space Force Base and the adjacent Cape Canaveral Space Force Station house Space Launch Delta 45 — the unit responsible for all Eastern Range launches. The military, civilian, and contractor workforce is spread along the barrier island and supports both Department of Defense and commercial launch operations.

6

Aerospace & Defenseest. ~3,500 employees

Northrop Grumman

Melbourne

Operates a major Melbourne campus that serves as a key hub for advanced military aircraft programs, including the B-21 Raider, plus radar systems and aerospace integration work. The campus sits along the Melbourne-Orlando International Airport corridor, making the entire Melbourne–Suntree–Viera band attractive for engineering staff.

7

Aerospaceest. ~3,000 employees

SpaceX

Cape Canaveral / Kennedy Space Center

Operates Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches from LC-40 (Cape Canaveral SFS) and historic LC-39A (KSC), with rapid expansion underway on Starship infrastructure at LC-39A. Engineers, technicians, launch operations crews, and recovery teams are concentrated near KSC — a workforce that has roughly tripled since 2020.

8

Governmentest. ~2,800 employees

Brevard County Government

Countywide (HQ: Viera Government Center)

Brevard County's government workforce spans public works, parks, planning, the courts, fire rescue, the property appraiser, and the tax collector. Administrative offices anchor the Viera Government Center while distributed field crews and service centers operate across Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne, and Palm Bay.

9

Aerospaceest. ~2,500 employees

Blue Origin

Exploration Park (Merritt Island) / Cape Canaveral LC-36

Jeff Bezos's space company manufactures the New Glenn launch vehicle at a 750,000-square-foot Exploration Park facility on Merritt Island and operates launches from the rebuilt LC-36 at Cape Canaveral. Manufacturing, engineering, and launch operations staff have grown rapidly through New Glenn's development cycle.

10

Higher Educationest. ~2,000 employees

Eastern Florida State College

Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Titusville campuses

Brevard's state college operates four campuses across the county and offers two-year and select four-year programs. Faculty, administrative, and support staff are distributed by campus, putting EFSC employment within easy reach of every major Brevard residential corridor.

11

Retail & Distributionest. ~2,000+ employees

Walmart / Sam's Club

Countywide (15+ locations)

Walmart and Sam's Club operate stores in every major Brevard city, plus regional distribution functions. As one of the most distributed large employers in the county, the workforce draws from virtually every residential corridor.

12

Retail & Distributionest. ~2,000+ employees

Publix Super Markets

Countywide (40+ stores)

Lakeland-headquartered grocer operates dozens of Brevard locations across every population center. Pharmacists, store management, deli, and front-line staff are spread from Mims to Palm Bay — short commutes from any Brevard neighborhood.

13

Manufacturingest. ~1,500 employees

Embraer Executive Jets

Melbourne Orlando International Airport

Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer's North American executive jet manufacturing headquarters at Melbourne Orlando International Airport. Builds Phenom and Praetor business jets in Melbourne, with adjacent customer service, engineering, and finishing operations.

14

Higher Educationest. ~1,500 employees

Florida Institute of Technology

Melbourne

Private research university in Melbourne with nationally recognized aerospace engineering, ocean engineering, and physical sciences programs. Faculty, research scientists, and administrative staff anchor the city's higher-education identity and feed talent into nearby aerospace employers.

15

Aerospaceest. ~1,500 employees

Boeing

Kennedy Space Center / Cape Canaveral

Operates the CST-100 Starliner crewed spacecraft program at KSC plus engineering and operations support for the Space Launch System (SLS). Engineers, technicians, and program staff cluster near KSC's south-side facilities.

16

Aerospace & Defenseest. ~1,400 employees

Lockheed Martin Space

Cape Canaveral / Astrotech (Titusville)

Supports Atlas V and Vulcan launch operations through the United Launch Alliance partnership and operates Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville for spacecraft processing and integration. Engineering and operations workforce concentrated along the Cape and US-1 corridor.

17

Healthcareest. ~1,500 employees

Parrish Medical Center

Titusville

North Brevard's principal hospital and the anchor of the Parrish Health Network. Recognized for primary care, outpatient services, and a strong cardiac program, Parrish is the largest single employer in north Brevard outside KSC.

18

Governmentest. ~1,300 employees

Brevard County Sheriff's Office

Countywide (HQ: Titusville)

One of Florida's largest sheriff's offices by sworn force, led from a Titusville headquarters complex. Patrol, corrections (Brevard County Detention Center), investigations, marine units, and administrative roles are distributed across the county.

19

Aerospaceest. ~1,200 employees

United Launch Alliance (ULA)

Cape Canaveral / Kennedy Space Center

Boeing-Lockheed joint venture operating Atlas V, Delta IV Heavy, and Vulcan Centaur launches from the Cape. Engineering, propulsion, and integration teams support the U.S. national security launch manifest and major civil missions.

20

Healthcareest. ~1,200 employees

AdventHealth Brevard

Palm Bay / Melbourne

AdventHealth Palm Bay and AdventHealth Melbourne anchor the system's south Brevard footprint, with growing outpatient and specialty services across the corridor. Clinical and administrative staff often choose Bayside Lakes, Palm Bay, and Melbourne suburbs for short commutes.

21

Governmentest. ~900 employees

City of Melbourne

Melbourne

Brevard's largest municipal workforce. Police, fire, parks, planning, public works, and administration support a city of more than 80,000 residents along the Indian River and the Eau Gallie arts corridor.

22

Governmentest. ~900 employees

City of Palm Bay

Palm Bay

Brevard's most populous city by far, with rapid residential growth driving expansion across all municipal departments. Police, fire, public works, parks, and planning roles continue to grow alongside the city's footprint.

23

Aerospace & Defenseest. ~700 employees

Collins Aerospace (RTX)

Melbourne

Avionics, communications, and aerospace systems business unit of Raytheon Technologies. Melbourne operations focus on high-frequency communications, mission systems, and engineering integration for both military and commercial aerospace customers.

24

Healthcareest. ~700 employees

Steward Health Care

Rockledge / Melbourne (legacy Wuesthoff facilities)

Operator of the legacy Wuesthoff Health System hospitals in Rockledge and Melbourne, plus outpatient services. Note: Steward filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2024 — the operational status of specific Brevard facilities has been evolving and prospective employees should verify current employer.

25

Aerospace & Defenseest. ~600 employees

Leonardo DRS (RADA)

Melbourne

Defense electronics specializing in tactical radar, electro-optical sensors, and force protection systems. The Melbourne operations integrate Leonardo's RADA Electronic Industries acquisition and serve as the company's North American radar engineering hub.

26

Utilitiesest. ~600 employees

Florida Power & Light (FPL)

Countywide (operations centers in Cape Canaveral and Melbourne)

Florida's largest electric utility. Brevard operations include lineworkers, engineers, customer service, and the Cape Canaveral Energy Center natural gas generating station. Field crews are distributed across the county for storm response and routine maintenance.

27

Aerospace & Defenseest. ~500 employees

ManTech International

Cape Canaveral / Cocoa

Defense IT and engineering services contractor supporting government missions on the Space Coast. Engineers, analysts, and program managers work on classified and unclassified contracts at Cape Canaveral and Patrick Space Force Base.

28

Aerospaceest. ~500 employees

Sierra Space

Kennedy Space Center

Spinoff of Sierra Nevada Corporation developing the Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft and inflatable LIFE habitat technology. KSC operations include final assembly, integration, and launch preparations as Dream Chaser ramps to commercial cargo missions.

29

Consultingest. ~500 employees

SAIC

Melbourne / Cocoa

Defense and intelligence systems contractor supporting Space Coast government programs. Analysts, engineers, and program managers work on simulation, modeling, and IT modernization contracts across Patrick Space Force Base and KSC missions.

30

Governmentest. ~500 employees

City of Titusville

Titusville

North Brevard's largest municipality. Police, fire, public works, water utility, and administration support a city defined by its proximity to Kennedy Space Center and the Indian River Lagoon.

31

Aerospaceest. ~350 employees

Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris)

Kennedy Space Center

Liquid rocket propulsion specialist now part of L3Harris. Supports the Space Launch System RS-25 engines, Atlas/Vulcan upper-stage propulsion, and various solid rocket motor programs. KSC operations focus on engine integration and ground support.

32

Governmentest. ~400 employees

City of Cocoa

Cocoa

Operates city services for Cocoa plus the Cocoa Water Department, which serves much of north and central Brevard County beyond city limits. Police, fire, public works, and the water utility together account for most of the workforce.

33

Retail & Distributionest. ~600 employees

Lowe's Home Improvement

Countywide (Melbourne, Palm Bay, Merritt Island, Rockledge, Titusville)

Five Brevard stores plus pro-services counters serve contractors and homeowners across the Space Coast. Store management, sales associates, delivery, and pro-services staff are distributed across the county's major retail corridors.

34

Retail & Distributionest. ~500 employees

The Home Depot

Countywide (Melbourne, Palm Bay, Merritt Island, Titusville, Viera)

Big-box home improvement retailer with five Brevard stores supporting contractors, builders, and DIY customers. Distributed retail employer with workforce drawn from across all major residential corridors.

35

Healthcareest. ~400 employees

Brevard Health Alliance

Multiple Brevard clinic locations

Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services across more than a dozen Brevard locations. Clinical staff and support roles serve underinsured and Medicaid populations countywide.

36

Governmentest. ~300 employees

AAFES Patrick (Exchange & Commissary)

Patrick Space Force Base

Army & Air Force Exchange Service plus the Defense Commissary Agency operate on-base retail, food court, gas station, and grocery facilities serving military families and DoD employees at Patrick SFB.

37

Telecommunicationsest. ~300 employees

Spectrum / Charter Communications

Countywide (regional ops + field service)

Brevard's primary cable, internet, and phone provider operates a regional service center plus distributed field installation and maintenance crews. Customer service, technical support, and field technician roles are spread across the county.

38

Telecommunicationsest. ~250 employees

AT&T Florida

Countywide (network ops + retail + business services)

AT&T's Brevard operations span a network operations footprint, retail stores in major shopping centers, and field service technicians. Mobile and wireline service teams are distributed across the Space Coast.

39

Mediaest. ~200 employees

Florida Today (Gannett)

Melbourne

Brevard's daily newspaper of record, part of the USA Today Network. News reporting, advertising sales, and digital media operations from a Melbourne newsroom that has covered every Cape launch since the early 1960s.

40

Transportationest. ~300 employees

United Parcel Service (UPS)

Cocoa / Melbourne hubs

Package delivery operations with hub facilities in central and south Brevard. Drivers, package handlers, and operations staff support next-day and ground delivery across the county.

41

Transportationest. ~250 employees

FedEx

Brevard delivery hubs

FedEx Express and FedEx Ground operations serving the Space Coast. Drivers, handlers, and operations staff support both residential and commercial deliveries from Mims to Palm Bay.

42

Nonprofitest. ~300 employees

YMCA Space Coast

Countywide (multiple branches)

Five Brevard YMCA branches plus community programs employ youth coaches, fitness instructors, aquatics staff, and afterschool program leaders. The Suntree Y is the largest single facility.

43

Nonprofitest. ~200 employees

Brevard Zoo

Melbourne (Wickham Park area)

One of the most respected zoological institutions in the Southeast and a major nonprofit employer. Animal care, education, conservation research, and visitor services staff operate from a 75-acre central Brevard campus.

44

Hospitalityest. ~300 employees

Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier & Resort

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Pier — under Westgate ownership — anchors a hospitality cluster including resort hotels, restaurants, retail, and event facilities at the city's iconic oceanfront landmark. Front-of-house, food service, and hospitality operations staff make up the bulk of the workforce.

45

Financial Servicesest. ~250 employees

Bank of America

Brevard branches and small-business offices

Regional retail banking presence with branches across major Brevard cities plus small-business and wealth management offices. Financial advisors, branch staff, and operations support employees serve a coastal customer base.

46

Financial Servicesest. ~200 employees

Truist Bank

Brevard branches

Formed from the SunTrust and BB&T merger, Truist operates a network of Brevard branches plus business banking offices serving small and mid-market businesses. Branch managers, advisors, and operations staff are distributed across the county.

47

Financial Servicesest. ~200 employees

Wells Fargo

Brevard branches

Distributed retail banking with branches across major Brevard cities. Branch staff, mortgage loan officers, and small-business banking professionals serve a wide cross-section of Space Coast customers.

48

Retail & Distributionest. ~250 employees

Costco Wholesale

Melbourne (West Eau Gallie Boulevard)

Membership warehouse retailer along the Melbourne SR-192 / Eau Gallie corridor. Warehouse, food service, optical, pharmacy, and front-end staff make Costco one of the largest single-location retail employers in south Brevard.

49

Retail & Distributionest. ~250 employees

Ron Jon Surf Shop

Cocoa Beach (Flagship Store)

The Cocoa Beach flagship is the largest surf shop in the world — a 52,000-square-foot, 24/7 operation that has been a Space Coast tourism landmark since the 1960s. Retail, hospitality, and operations staff plus a corporate headquarters function based at the same location.

50

Financial Servicesest. ~200 employees

Space Coast Credit Union

Brevard branches (Statewide HQ in Miramar)

Florida's third-largest credit union maintains a strong Brevard presence reflecting the credit union's deep historical roots in the Space Coast aerospace community. Branch operations, lending, and member services employ staff across multiple Brevard locations.