It’s a good sign of life trying to get back to normal when my defense hiring news feeds get heavy on football stories. Not what I’m looking for, but it is a sign that empty stadiums still give commentators something to talk about while the country tries to spring back to its old way of life in the fall. Regardless of the season, the defense industry keeps marching – as it has throughout the entire pandemic. With a continuing resolution in effect and CARES Act payments supporting the industry, the new fiscal year is off to a strong start with contract awards for mission support work proceeding. Layoffs remain largely focused on organizations with commercial aviation units and contract awards keep the DoD the hiring trend going in the right direction. One agency in particular is driving the speed and price point for satellites. The Space Development Agency’s push for a faster turnaround at less cost with high reliability creates an impetus for change for DoD contractors. Bill Gattle, president of space systems at L3Harris said. “So all of us have really taken a hard look at how do we build these things? What drives the cost? Why do DoD exquisite systems cost so much?”
Layoffs Impacting the Defense Industry
| Cisco | “Over the coming weeks and months, Cisco will increase our investments in key business areas that will drive customer satisfaction and partner profitability going forward and reduce investments in others. We will be restructuring parts of our business as a result,“ a Cisco spokesperson said in a statement. ”Our employees are our priority and we are committed to providing our full support to those transitioning to new roles or teams within Cisco or leaving the company. Where possible, we will offer employees options that enable them to make decisions that best suit their career goals and personal circumstances.”
While clear numbers have not been released from the organization, many Cisco executives are confirming their voluntary layoff decision on social networks and anonymous online chatter is lighting up with now former Cisco employees’ hot takes on the situation, leading many to speculate that the number of technology candidates out on the market ready to mingle is in the thousands. |
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The DoD’s Interim Rule for its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program plan is now in effect. As of November 30, contractors will need to continue to comply with the security controls in the NIST SP 800-171. Specifically, all DoD contractors (prime and subcontractor) will need to assess what information they have and how it maps to the assessment methodology. The interim rule puts a new assessment and reporting system in place that prior to contract award, will verify compliance.
With new contracts and solicitations, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment can include the CMMC requirements through September 30, 2025. After October 1, 2025, CMMC requirements will be a component of DoD contract solicitations and awards.
Hiring impacting the Defense Industry
| NuWave Solutions | Defense intelligence company NuWave Solutions has 17 open positions in the Northern Virginia area that require a security clearance. NuWave Solutions has teams of analysts, data scientists and engineers working together. Look for roles that support their data and analytics teams – from machine learning engineers to AWS cloud computing architect. |
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Opportunity to Watch
When it comes to opportunity, the newly minted U.S. Space Force brings it in spades. The opportunities may not take everyone to infinity and beyond, as budgets, processes, and reality here on earth still keep us tethered. However, with the new military operation in formation under the DoD, the plan for the Force is to have 16,000 personnel. With a new branch come new opportunities and different ways for operating. Private enterprises have also had their eyes on satellites and space travel. Reports from a space talent database created just this year cite over 8,000 job postings and more than 500 companies doing the postings.
The rise in the space industry also impacts education growth as well. Universities with space-based programs are noticing a rise in cybersecurity and space-based options from incoming students. With the DoD working to fill the gaps, the industry needs all levels working together to meet the upcoming needs.
“A private sector employee can work for the Department of Defense in a cybersecurity position that spans across multiple mission-critical areas,” said Arsenio “Bong” Gumahad II (center), director of the C4/ISR Division at the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, DoD. “Cybersecurity needs to be right there with the challenges and the changes, and this requires exceptional personnel.”
