Curtiss‑Wright is laying down a big bet on its Cheswick operation, with plans to pump roughly $80 million into an expansion of its manufacturing campus just outside Pittsburgh. The project calls for two new production buildings and about 150 additional jobs in Allegheny County, all aimed at cranking out more equipment and components for the commercial nuclear industry as demand for reactor parts heats up nationwide. The company has not yet pinned down a firm construction or hiring timeline.
As reported by the Pittsburgh Business Times, the aerospace and defense contractor plans to build out the new facilities to boost manufacturing capacity for nuclear technologies and bring those 150 jobs to the county. The July 6, 2026, report recaps the company’s announcement to local officials.
Cheswick Plant’s Nuclear Niche
Curtiss‑Wright’s Electro‑Mechanical Division in Cheswick already turns out pumps, motors and other critical hardware that serve both naval and commercial nuclear programs. Corporate materials describe Cheswick as a longtime hub for that work, according to Curtiss‑Wright. The expansion is expected to add production floor space and shop capacity on the site to support those same programs at a larger scale.
Why The Timing Is No Accident
The move comes as Washington tries to beef up the domestic nuclear supply chain. The federal Department of Energy rolled out a $17.5 billion package of conditional loans to back long‑lead components for planned Westinghouse AP1000 reactors, according to the Department of Energy. Those loan commitments could help speed project timelines and stoke demand for U.S. suppliers, S&P Global has reported, which helps explain why manufacturers like Curtiss‑Wright are racing to add capacity now.
Local Jobs Jolt And What Comes Next
For Allegheny County, the expansion could deliver a noticeable lift in manufacturing hiring at a time when skilled‑trade openings have already been climbing. The Pittsburgh Business Times notes that Curtiss‑Wright has not yet detailed a hiring schedule or the specific roles that will be added. The company has told investors it is stepping up capital spending to add capacity and chase commercial nuclear opportunities, according to Curtiss‑Wright, so Cheswick is unlikely to be the only site feeling the ripple effects.
