BATON ROUGE, La. — Integer Technologies is expanding its research and development operations in Baton Rouge through its partnership with Louisiana State University, building on a previously awarded $9.8 million contract from the Office of Naval Research and adding high-paying technology jobs in the Capital Region.
The South Carolina-based applied research and digital engineering company is expected to create 23 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $130,000 while retaining nine existing positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will generate an additional 28 indirect jobs, bringing the total potential employment impact to 51 jobs.
Integer established a Louisiana office in 2023 through its partnership with LSU and has based its Baton Rouge operations in the university’s Digital Media Center. The company is expanding its office space to support advanced research and development focused on software and systems designed to improve the intelligence, autonomy and decision-making capabilities of distributed maritime autonomous systems for U.S. defense applications.
Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said the expansion reflects the state’s growing role in defense and advanced research.
“Integer Technologies’ expansion underscores the momentum Louisiana is building in defense and advanced research,” Bourgeois said. “By bringing together federal partners, top-tier research institutions and a workforce built to execute, we are creating an environment where innovation translates into opportunity, strengthening our economy and supporting critical national security priorities.”
The partnership has connected Integer with LSU faculty, researchers and students across disciplines including engineering and coastal sciences. The company has supported internships, workforce development initiatives and senior capstone projects tied to federal defense research.
LSU President Wade Rousse said the company’s investment highlights the university’s role in research and workforce development.
“Louisiana is the new frontier in energy, maritime, and national security research, and LSU is leading the way in discoveries and talent development,” Rousse said. “We are thrilled to have Integer Technologies working directly with our researchers, hiring our graduates, and building upon LSU’s legacy of supporting our national defense.”
Integer CEO and cofounder Duke Hartman said the partnership has accelerated the company’s work with federal customers and helped advance technologies for defense applications.
“Our partnership with LSU has created a unique environment where industry, academia, and government can work shoulder-to-shoulder to bring innovations from the lab to the warfighter,” Hartman said.
East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards said the investment is expected to strengthen the local economy through job creation in technical fields.
“This major investment will boost Baton Rouge’s economy by creating at least 50 new jobs in advanced, technical fields,” Edwards said.
As part of the expansion, Louisiana provided Integer Technologies with an incentives package that includes participation in the state’s Digital Interactive Media and Software program.
Integer Technologies develops digital engineering solutions for defense and commercial customers in areas including robotic and unmanned systems, sensors and perception, power and energy systems, advanced manufacturing and cyber-physical systems.