California is no stranger to shaping history, having played a pivotal role in winning the Cold War with its innovative weapons and technology. Those defense jobs once powered a booming middle class, but post-Cold War, the industry saw cutbacks, mergers, and some companies even going defunct. Fast forward to today, and the defense sector is experiencing a renaissance. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and rising tensions over Taiwan have ignited a surge in defense spending across NATO countries, with the U.S. leading the charge.
The defense boom is back, and it’s bigger than ever. Companies are thriving, hiring, and driving economic growth once again. As Forbes reports, defense startups are attracting significant investor interest, while established firms continue to receive attention. NATO’s defense spending has doubled in the past decade, reaching $360 billion on weapons systems, fighting vehicles, and equipment. This resurgence is opening up a plethora of job opportunities in the defense industry, making it an exciting time to be part of this field.
Layoffs: Dell
Dell Technologies is making big moves to gear up for the AI era, slashing some sales jobs while adding others in a major reorganization effort. Aiming to become “leaner” and more growth-focused, Dell is combining teams and prioritizing investments across the company. This shift follows last year’s layoffs, which saw a reduction of 13,000 jobs. Despite the cuts, Dell’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with channel partners remains strong, setting the stage for future growth and continued customer value. As Dell leans into AI and modern IT solutions, the defense industry is expected to benefit from increased productivity and streamlined operations.
Hiring: Eglin AFB
Eglin Air Force Base made a big splash in the local job market with a hiring event on July 24-25, attracting over 700 job seekers at the University of Florida Research, Education, Engineering Facility. The event, organized by the 96th Force Support Squadron, opened the doors to a variety of positions, from science and engineering to security roles. Thanks to direct hiring authority, many candidates walked away with job offers on the same day, bypassing traditional platforms like USAJOBS. This initiative underscores Eglin AFB’s commitment to connecting with the local community and filling critical roles quickly.
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Opportunity to Watch
After Elon Musk announced that SpaceX’s headquarters is moving to Texas, the new Texas Space Commission is kicking things into high gear to make the state a premier hub for the space industry. With Executive Director Norman Garza Jr. at the helm, the commission is already attracting domestic and international space companies looking to relocate. “We’ve already come across a number of space companies who are looking to relocate, perhaps even international space companies looking to relocate,” said board member Kirk Shireman. It looks like Texas is ready to become the new frontier for space exploration.
State Rep. Greg Bonnen was pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of opportunities already brewing within the state. “The level of opportunity is actually greater than what I had anticipated,” he remarked. With Texas already home to heavy hitters like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Intuitive Machines, and Axiom Space, the future looks bright. The commission’s goals include attracting new companies, advancing research, securing federal missions, and ensuring a favorable regulatory environment. With $350 million in funding, they’re poised to make Texas the launchpad for the next era of space exploration.
