Recruiting for defense contracting jobs comes with a hurdle most industries never face, the security clearance process. Margarita Howard, sole owner, CEO and president of HX5, says that requirement puts her Florida-based company at a disadvantage against commercial tech firms competing for the same STEM talent pool.

HX5 provides science, technology, engineering and mathematics support to NASA and the Department of Defense, employing more than 1,000 people across 34 states and roughly 90 government locations. Candidates for many of those roles must obtain clearances that can take months or even years to process, a timeline that has no equivalent in the private tech sector.

Losing Ground to Faster Offers

While HX5 and other defense contractors wait on clearance approvals, technology companies can extend job offers almost immediately, often paired with higher pay and more flexible schedules. National Defense Magazine has reported that a large majority of companies in the defense industrial base struggle to find qualified STEM workers, a shortage that only deepens as commercial competitors recruit from the same graduating classes.

ManpowerGroup’s 2024 research found that most U.S. employers report difficulty finding the skilled talent they need, but the clearance requirement adds another layer specific to government contracting. Margarita Howard says the company works to differentiate itself through the nature of the work rather than trying to outbid tech firms on salary.

Selling the Mission, Not the Paycheck

HX5’s pitch leans on the appeal of contributing to national defense and space exploration missions rather than competing dollar for dollar with Silicon Valley offers. That approach has helped HX5 retain experienced staff even as the broader industry grapples with a shrinking supply of clearance-eligible STEM workers nationwide.

Margarita Howard also points to HX5’s scale as a selling point for candidates weighing whether the clearance wait is worth it. With work spread across 34 states and roughly 90 government locations, employees can often find opportunities to move between programs and regions without leaving the company altogether, a form of internal flexibility that helps offset the slower pace of the clearance process itself. Read this article for more information.

Find more information about Kelcy Warren on https://www.margaritahoward.com/