Aerospace and Defense in Florida

Florida's aerospace and defense industry is driven by a strong manufacturing base and strategic access to global markets through its three spaceports and extensive airport network. The state benefits from a skilled workforce, bolstered by military personnel transitioning to civilian roles and top educational institutions providing specialized training. A pro-business environment, competitive tax policies, and significant investments further enhance its appeal, solidifying its position as a hub for major players in the industry.


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Why is it Thriving?

  • Strong Manufacturing Base: Florida ranks 2nd among U.S. states for aerospace products and parts manufacturing and 2nd for space and defense systems manufacturing.

  • Strategic Location: Home to 3 spaceports and 130 public airports, Florida provides excellent access to global markets, supported by 21 major military installations.

  • Growing Aerospace Hub in Northwest Florida: Proximity to six major aerospace OEMs and an emerging aerospace cluster make Northwest Florida a strategic location for the industry.

  • Skilled Workforce: Florida boasts a large aerospace workforce, supported by over 56,000 military personnel and 3,000+ transitioning each year, contributing to a robust talent pool.

  • Educational Support: Institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and various technical colleges provide specialized training in aerospace mechanics and related fields.

  • Pro-Business Environment: Florida’s competitive tax policies and planned $1.5 billion in economic development investments create a favorable business climate for aerospace and defense companies.

  • Strong Defense Presence: With one of the largest veteran populations in the U.S. and 400+ aerospace establishments, Florida’s aerospace and defense industry continues to thrive, attracting key players like Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

  • R&D and Innovation: The presence of active research facilities, such as the Air Force Research Lab and McKinley Climatic Lab, further strengthens Florida’s position as a leader in aerospace innovation.

What are the Key Aerospace and Defense Jobs?

Here are some examples of the diverse range of senior roles within the industry: 

System Engineer

  • System Design: Skilled in developing system specifications, requirements, architecture, and defining interfaces.

  • Project Management: Experienced in leading teams, managing project timelines, and aligning deliverables with customer needs.

  • Technical Oversight: Proficient in overseeing complex systems involving hardware, software, and electrical integration.

  • Verification and Validation: Expertise in testing and validation to ensure systems meet requirements.

  • Technical Documentation: Competent in creating and understanding clear technical reports and documentation.

  • Programming Skills: Proficient in languages like C#, Python, and Java.

Sales Director

  • Business Development: Proven ability to identify and nurture relationships with key decision-makers in the industry.

  • Sales Strategy Development: Expertise in developing and implementing effective sales strategies for market penetration and revenue growth.

  • Market Research and Analysis: Proficiency in conducting research to spot new business opportunities and assess competition and industry trends.

  • Complex Negotiation and Closing: Strong skills in handling complex negotiations and closing deals with clients in aviation and defense.

  • Industry Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the aerospace and defense industries.

  • Client Relationship Management: Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.

Project Director

  • Program Strategy Development: Ability to develop and execute long-term program strategies that align with organizational objectives.

  • Cross-Functional Team Management: Expertise in managing cross-functional teams, including project managers, engineers, and technical staff.

  • Project Budgeting and Scheduling: Skills in monitoring project budgets and schedules to ensure adherence to financial forecasts and deadlines.

  • Risk Management: Proficiency in actively engaging in risk management to identify and mitigate potential project risks.

  • Stakeholder Management: Strong skills in managing stakeholder communication and relationships to ensure project alignment with expectations.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Understanding of and adherence to relevant regulatory and compliance requirements in aerospace and defense.
The key challenge in the aerospace and defence industry is that many emerging technologies, like battery development or electric propulsion systems for aircraft, are relatively new. As a result, finding candidates with extensive direct experience is rare. This makes a range of transferable skills, such as engineering expertise, sales, and computer science, essential for success in these roles.
Rachael Toon Principal Consultant - Disruptive Aerospace & New Space

What are the Recruitment Challenges?

While the industry is booming, recruitment challenges remain within the sector. Here are some key examples: 

  • Recruitment Challenges - The industry faces significant challenges in sourcing candidates with experience in electric powertrain systems and aircraft battery development. Aircraft electrification and UAV technology demand niche skills, and recruitment is further constrained by specific expertise requirements, particularly in safety and regulatory standards like those mandated by the FAA.

  • Skills Gaps - There’s a skills gap in areas like open-source coding for autopilot systems and specialized knowledge of aircraft electrification. While recruitment often reaches into related fields, such as robotics for smaller aircraft and drones, aerospace-specific expertise remains critical at senior levels.

  • Funding and Growth - Companies across various funding stages—from seed rounds to post-IPO—are navigating an evolving funding environment with tighter budgets than in previous years. To secure continued investment, businesses must hit project milestones and headcount targets aligned with specific growth objectives.

Key Recruitment Solutions

To ensure the industry continues to thrive with the senior talent it requires, here are our top recruitment tips 

  1. SOLUTION 1
    Define Precise Talent Needs

    Integrate HR as a strategic partner in workforce planning alongside finance and business development. This collaborative approach ensures a coordinated hiring plan that aligns with program demands and future skill needs, recognizing the unique talent requirements across job families.

  2. SOLUTION 2
    Invest in Reskilling and Upskilling

    Focus on strategic, outcomes-driven learning and development initiatives. By aligning L&D programs with business objectives, they can prioritize skills that deliver the highest ROI. Additionally, companies should use generative AI to enhance onboarding and productivity and prepare employees for evolving roles, creating a more adaptable and skilled workforce.

  3. SOLUTION 3
    Develop a Targeted Hiring Process

    The solution is to establish a hiring engine that operates like a sales organization, focusing on building strong relationships across talent acquisition, HR, and analytics. This includes creating a "talent win room" that unites various resources to streamline the hiring process, enhance agility, and improve the employee value proposition. Emphasizing quality over volume in hiring and driving collaboration will help attract and retain critical talent in the A&D sector.

Transferable Skills

To maintain a robust pipeline of senior-level talent, consider attracting high-caliber professionals from other sectors who offer valuable, transferable skills that meet industry demands. This skills-first hiring approach is gaining traction across various industries, enabling organizations to access diverse talent pools and strengthen their capabilities. Here are some key examples:

Mechanical Engineering

This includes skills such as: 

  • Structural analysis
  • Thermodynamics
  • Materials Science
  • Computer-aided design (CAD)

Talent with these skills could be transferred from industries such as:

  • Manufacturing
  • Civil engineering
  • Automotive

Computer Science and Software Engineering

This includes skills such as: 

  • Cybersecurity 
  • Data Analysis 
  • Programming Languages
  • AI and Machine Learning

Talent with these skills could be transferred from industries such as:

  • Technology 
  • Fintech 
  • Cybersecurity

Electrical Engineering

This includes skills such as: 

  • Control Systems 
  • Circuit Design 
  • Power Systems 
  • Circuit Design 

Talent with these skills could be transferred from industries such as:

  • Renewable Energy 
  • Telecommunications 
  • Electronics

Sales

This includes skills such as: 

  • Product Knowledge and Expertise 
  • Technical Communication 
  • Relationship Building
  • Regulatory Compliance

Talent with these skills could be transferred from industries such as:

  • Chemicals 
  • Life Sciences 
  • Automotive

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Architecture

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