NatSec@Work - National Security Workforce - September Issue

Workforce Trends

U.S. Border & Logistics Surge Support

“At Leonardo DRS, we are hiring today for critical thinkers, problem solvers, and innovative leaders... we are proud to design and deliver innovative technology solutions in support of all branches of the military.” The message is clear: whether you’re contributing to intelligence systems or cutting-edge defense technologies, these firms portray their workforce as central to national and global security efforts. How Global Security Is Shaping U.S. Hiring Strategy Across all regions, what’s clear is how global conflict is reshaping U.S. defense hiring. The war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and more have forced a pivot from slow, bureaucratic hiring toward ramped-up workforce expansions with new emphasis on: ▶ Rapid recruitment of technical talent in cyber, AI, autonomous systems, logistics, and shipbuilding. ▶ Investment in training pipelines, whether nuclear academies, apprenticeships, or surge-ready logistics staffing. ▶ Strategic emphasis on drones and autonomous systems, blending R&D pipelines with operational urgency. ▶ Partnerships with universities, industry, and startups, boosting agility and breadth of talent sourcing. U.S. national security isn’t just driving hiring growth. It’s transforming how talent is developed and deployed. Employers now think about workforce readiness as dynamic and strategic, rather than reactive. The way we hire, train, and scale today will underpin how the U.S. adapts and innovates in a world where security and technology are in constant motion.

While details remain strategic, it’s clear logistics and surge capacity are now priorities. DoD acquisitions and Pentagon officials note reform is needed—the industrial base must scale “expand-on-demand” during crises, with adaptive partnerships and workforce flexibility. Drone Warfare: The New Frontier in Hiring Drone warfare, especially as seen in Ukraine, is shifting hiring toward autonomous systems, rapid production, and digital innovation. A recent New Yorker piece highlights how Ukraine’s mass-produced, low-cost drones forced U.S. leaders to rethink investments in autonomous and AI systems—with defense startups like Anduril rallying to answer that call. Voices from the Field In sectors like defense, the job goes beyond a paycheck—it’s about purpose. On BAE Systems’ careers site, the tone is clear and compelling: “A career here means using your passion and ingenuity to defend national security with breakthrough technology and intelligence solutions.” Meanwhile, they reinforce that their work isn’t abstract—it matters: “Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do.” Over at Leonardo DRS, the language shifts toward innovation and inclusion:

GLOBAL CONFLICT AND THE CHANGING WARFIGHTER: HOW DEFENSE CONTRACTOR HIRING IS EVOLVING By Jill Hamilton

Global friction is reconfiguring how Western contractors staff up, especially across shipbuilding, cyber, logistics, and drones. Here’s how different regions are shaping the workforce landscape.

6 SEPTEMBER 2025 | NATSEC@WORK Powered by ClearanceJobs for the defence sector since the end of the Cold War,” with contractors like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics posting close to 6,000 open roles and aiming to expand workforce headcount by some 37,000 positions, around 10% of their total. concerns have overloaded hiring pipelines for engineers, welders, AI specialists, and mechanics. Firms are raising wages, launching training academies, and even recruiting from automotive sectors to keep pace. A Financial Times survey of 20 major U.S. and European defense contractors confirms this urgency—the “most intense period Europe & Ukraine: A Workforce Combining Tradition and Technology In Europe, defence firms are scrambling for workers. Tensions sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and broader geopolitical

Leonardo’s chief people officer put it bluntly: the company’s “intense search for new hires” is “even more intense than during previous conflicts such as Iraq or Afghanistan.” And Nammo, a major ammunition provider, has grown headcount by 15% over two years and is preparing to double its size by 2030. Middle East & Indo‑Pacific: Shipyards, Nukes and Apprenticeships Geopolitical flashpoints in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific are unleashing demand in niche areas. Shipbuilding capacity, particularly for strategic vessels, is strained. In nuclear defense, the UK and Australia—through AUKUS—are launching nuclear skills academies and training pipelines to fill gaps in submarine, sonar, and nuclear component expertise.