The federal hiring freeze isn’t just sticking around—it’s tightening up. President Trump has extended the freeze through July 15, continuing the pause on most federal job postings. But even after the freeze lifts, agencies won’t be returning to business as usual. A new cap will limit hiring to one new employee for every four who leave, drastically slowing recruitment and reshaping how agencies manage their workforce. While exemptions exist for national security, immigration, and public safety roles, most career positions remain locked down.
This “4-to-1” rule mirrors the administration’s broader strategy to reduce the size of the federal workforce through attrition, reassignments, and ongoing reductions in force (RIFs). Agencies like GSA are extending internal freezes even further, and others are relaunching voluntary resignation offers. Critics warn this could drain talent and weaken agency performance, but the administration says it’s a necessary step toward a leaner, more efficient government. Either way, federal job seekers and hiring managers alike are in for a long summer.
Layoffs: FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is under pressure to keep critical operations running after a recent reduction in force (RIF) eliminated dozens of travel services staff. Just one week after notifying employees that their roles were “unnecessary,” the agency began drafting plans to hire contractors to perform many of the same duties—coordinating domestic and international travel for inspectors, managing logistics, and ensuring compliance with federal travel rules. The move comes as part of broader Department of Health and Human Services workforce cuts, with FDA now looking to plug operational gaps quickly to support its Office of Inspections and Investigations.
In the short term, the agency’s focus is on staying agile, keeping inspections on track, and making sure frontline investigators have the support they need—whether it’s through federal employees or contractors.
Hiring: American Pacific Corporation
AMPAC is gearing up for liftoff—literally. The Cedar City, UT–based rocket propellant manufacturer and NewMarket subsidiary just announced plans for a $100 million expansion to boost its ammonium perchlorate production by more than 50%. The investment includes building a brand-new production line, slated for completion in 2026, and is designed to meet surging demand from U.S. military missile programs and commercial space launches, as well as allied defense initiatives.
With over 60 years of experience fueling solid rocket motors, AMPAC is already a key player in the space and defense supply chain. Now, under NewMarket’s wing and pending board approval, this expansion signals serious growth—and likely hiring—in a sector that’s seeing no slowdown. For a company that already employs 170 full-time staff and supports eco-friendly tech like Halotron BrX, this move puts Cedar City on the map as a critical launchpad for national defense and spaceflight readiness.
Cleared Employer at Work: ManTech
ManTech is hiring Travel Trainers for full-time positions supporting a long-term (5+ year) IT refresh program for Department of State embassies and consulates worldwide. These roles are based in Chantilly, VA. The training team travels (75%) to provide on-site application training post-deployment, and works from Chantilly (25%). Support teams in Chantilly and Arlington, VA, facilitate travel and manage equipment logistics. The position involves upgrading the IT infrastructure of State Department facilities globally, with significant travel.
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Opportunity to Watch
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is keeping the red pen busy. In a new memo released this month, Hegseth announced $5.1 billion in Defense Department contract cuts, targeting what he called “wasteful” spending on consulting, cloud services, and duplicative IT support. The biggest hits include $1.8 billion in consulting contracts from the Defense Health Agency, a $500 million Navy business process deal, and funding to DARPA for help desk services that the Defense Information Systems Agency already provides. “That’s a lot of consulting,” Hegseth said in a video message, adding that the cuts will redirect money toward better care for warfighters and their families. The memo also confirmed the pause of over $500 million in funding to universities the department says support “divisive DEI programs,” as well as eliminating 11 contracts related to climate change and pandemic response.
The cuts are part of a broader recalibration inside the Pentagon as the Department of Defense heads toward a record $1 trillion budget, with leaders like Hegseth emphasizing a balance between modernization and fiscal discipline. While funding for defense priorities—like next-gen weapon systems and troop care—is growing, nonessential services and overlapping contracts are being trimmed. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), first introduced by Hegseth earlier this year, has now racked up nearly $6 billion in savings in just six weeks. For a defense budget often seen as untouchable, the message is clear: spend smarter, not just bigger.
