Top 25 Defense Contractors Hiring Veterans: Complete Guide
Comprehensive guide to the top 25 defense contractors hiring veterans. Learn about major defense companies, what they do, veteran programs, clearance requirements, and how to land jobs at these companies.
The defense industry employs millions of Americans and actively recruits veterans. These companies need your clearance, your understanding of the mission, and your military experience. Here's your guide to the top 25 defense contractors and how to get hired.
The Big Five (Tier 1 Prime Contractors)
1. Lockheed Martin
Revenue: $67+ billion | Employees: 116,000+
What they do:
- F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
- Missiles and missile defense
- Space systems and satellites
- Rotary and mission systems
Veteran programs:
- Military Skills Translator tool
- Veteran hiring initiatives
- Military spouse program
- Reserve/Guard support
Clearance needs: Most positions require clearance
Locations: Fort Worth TX, Marietta GA, Denver CO, DC area
Best for: Aviation maintainers, weapons systems, technical backgrounds
2. RTX (Raytheon Technologies)
Revenue: $68+ billion | Employees: 180,000+
What they do:
- Missiles (Raytheon)
- Radar and sensors
- Jet engines (Pratt & Whitney)
- Aircraft systems (Collins Aerospace)
Veteran programs:
- Veteran Employee Resource Group
- Military Skills Translation
- Helmets to Hardhats partnerships
- Leadership development programs
Clearance needs: Extensive cleared positions
Locations: Tucson AZ, Dallas TX, Boston MA area, DC area
Best for: Weapons systems, aviation, technical specialties
3. Boeing
Revenue: $77+ billion | Employees: 140,000+
What they do:
- Military aircraft (Apache, Chinook, F-15, F/A-18)
- Commercial aircraft
- Space systems
- Defense systems
Veteran programs:
- Boeing Veterans Engagement Team (BVET)
- SkillBridge partnerships
- Military spouse employment
- Veteran hiring goals
Clearance needs: Many positions cleared
Locations: Seattle WA, St. Louis MO, Mesa AZ, DC area
Best for: Aviation, engineering, logistics, program management
4. Northrop Grumman
Revenue: $37+ billion | Employees: 95,000+
What they do:
- B-21 Raider bomber
- Space systems
- Autonomous systems
- Cyber and C4ISR
Veteran programs:
- Veteran hiring initiatives
- VETS employee resource group
- SkillBridge programs
- Apprenticeship pathways
Clearance needs: High percentage cleared positions
Locations: DC area, Los Angeles CA, Melbourne FL, San Diego CA
Best for: Space, cyber, aviation, systems engineering
5. General Dynamics
Revenue: $39+ billion | Employees: 100,000+
What they do:
- Nuclear submarines (Electric Boat)
- Land systems (tanks, vehicles)
- IT services (GDIT)
- Business jets (Gulfstream)
Veteran programs:
- Veterans hiring initiatives
- SkillBridge participation
- Military skills matching
- Leadership pathways
Clearance needs: Varies by division; GDIT heavily cleared
Locations: DC area, Connecticut, Ohio, Michigan
Best for: Shipbuilding, ground vehicles, IT, cyber
Tier 2 Defense Contractors
6. L3Harris Technologies
Revenue: $18+ billion | Employees: 50,000+
What they do:
- Communications systems
- Electronic warfare
- ISR systems
- Space and airborne systems
Veteran focus: Strong military hiring culture
Locations: Melbourne FL, Rochester NY, DC area
Best for: Communications, electronics, aviation systems
7. BAE Systems
Revenue: $25+ billion | Employees: 90,000+ (global)
What they do:
- Electronic warfare
- Combat vehicles
- Naval ships
- Munitions
Veteran programs: Military recruitment focus, veteran ERG
Locations: DC area, San Diego CA, Minneapolis MN
Best for: Electronics, ground systems, naval systems
8. Leidos
Revenue: $15+ billion | Employees: 45,000+
What they do:
- IT services
- Engineering
- Science and technology
- Health IT
Veteran programs: Strong veteran culture, SkillBridge
Locations: DC area (Reston VA), nationwide
Best for: IT, cyber, engineering, health IT
9. SAIC
Revenue: $7+ billion | Employees: 25,000+
What they do:
- IT modernization
- Engineering services
- Training and simulation
- Space systems
Veteran programs: Veteran affinity group, military recruiting
Locations: DC area, nationwide
Best for: IT, engineering, training, space
10. Booz Allen Hamilton
Revenue: $9+ billion | Employees: 30,000+
What they do:
- Management consulting
- Analytics
- Cyber
- Engineering
Veteran programs: Industry-leading veteran hiring, SkillBridge
Locations: DC area, nationwide
Best for: Consulting, analytics, cyber, strategy
Tier 3: Professional Services & Specialized
11. CACI International
Revenue: $6+ billion | Employees: 23,000+
What they do:
- IT and cyber
- Intelligence services
- Engineering
- Training
Locations: DC area primary
Best for: Intelligence, IT, cyber, government support
12. ManTech International
Revenue: $2.5+ billion | Employees: 10,000+
What they do:
- IT services
- Cyber operations
- Intelligence services
- Systems engineering
Locations: DC area, Fort Meade
Best for: Cyber, intelligence, IT
13. Peraton
Revenue: $7+ billion | Employees: 14,000+
What they do:
- Space
- Intelligence
- Cyber
- Mission support
Locations: DC area, nationwide
Best for: Intelligence, space, cyber
14. Science Applications International Corporation (KBR)
Revenue: $7+ billion | Employees: 30,000+
What they do:
- Engineering
- Government services
- Technology
- International operations
Locations: Houston TX, DC area, worldwide
Best for: Engineering, logistics, international
15. Parsons Corporation
Revenue: $5+ billion | Employees: 16,000+
What they do:
- Defense and security
- Infrastructure
- Cyber
- Intelligence
Locations: DC area, nationwide
Best for: Cyber, infrastructure, program management
16. Jacobs
Revenue: $16+ billion | Employees: 60,000+
What they do:
- Engineering
- Technical services
- Critical infrastructure
- Program management
Locations: Nationwide
Best for: Engineering, infrastructure, program management
17. Huntington Ingalls Industries
Revenue: $11+ billion | Employees: 44,000+
What they do:
- Aircraft carriers
- Submarines
- Surface combatants
- Nuclear engineering
Locations: Newport News VA, Pascagoula MS
Best for: Shipbuilding, nuclear, manufacturing, trades
18. General Atomics
Revenue: $3+ billion | Employees: 14,000+
What they do:
- MQ-9 Reaper drones
- Nuclear systems
- Electromagnetic systems
- Energy technology
Locations: San Diego CA, DC area
Best for: UAS, nuclear, advanced systems
19. Textron
Revenue: $13+ billion | Employees: 33,000+
What they do:
- Bell Helicopters
- Cessna/Beechcraft
- Textron Systems
- E-Z-Go vehicles
Locations: Fort Worth TX, Wichita KS
Best for: Aviation, manufacturing
20. Sierra Nevada Corporation
Revenue: $2+ billion | Employees: 4,500+
What they do:
- Space systems
- Aircraft modifications
- Weapons systems
- Electronic systems
Locations: Sparks NV, Louisville CO, DC area
Best for: Space, aviation modifications
Specialized & Growing Contractors
21. Amentum
Revenue: $6+ billion | Employees: 40,000+
What they do:
- Engineering
- Technical services
- Mission support
- Program management
Locations: Germantown MD, worldwide
Best for: Engineering, program management, international
22. V2X (formerly Vectrus)
Revenue: $2+ billion | Employees: 14,000+
What they do:
- Base operations support
- IT services
- Logistics
- Training
Locations: Colorado Springs CO, worldwide bases
Best for: Base operations, logistics, maintenance
23. Torch Technologies
Revenue: $500+ million | Employees: 1,500+
What they do:
- Systems engineering
- Software development
- Test and evaluation
- Training
Locations: Huntsville AL
Best for: Engineering, T&E, Huntsville market
24. Polestar (defense division)
Revenue: Growing | Employees: Growing
What they do:
- Consulting
- Technical services
- Program support
Locations: DC area
Best for: Smaller company culture, consulting
25. Modern Technology Solutions Inc (MTSI)
Revenue: $400+ million | Employees: 1,700+
What they do:
- Engineering
- Analysis
- Technical services
- Systems engineering
Locations: DC area, Huntsville AL
Best for: Technical, small-company environment
What These Companies Look For
Clearance Status
Most critical factor:
- Active clearance: Immediate hire potential
- Current investigation: Attractive candidate
- Clearable: Longer timeline, still valuable
- Cannot hold clearance: Limited options
Technical Skills
Valued competencies:
- Engineering disciplines
- IT and cybersecurity
- Program management
- Systems operations
- Maintenance and logistics
Military Experience
Specific value from:
- Operational understanding
- Mission focus
- Leadership proven under pressure
- Security culture familiarity
- Technical training
Finding Jobs at These Companies
Direct Application
Company career sites:
- Create profiles at target companies
- Set up job alerts
- Apply to matching positions
- Track applications
Job Boards
Key resources:
- ClearanceJobs.com: Cleared positions
- LinkedIn: Broad visibility
- Indeed: High volume
- USAJobs: If company has federal contracts
Military-Specific Resources
Veteran channels:
- Company veteran programs
- SkillBridge partnerships
- Hiring Our Heroes events
- Base career fairs
Networking
Personal connections:
- Former military colleagues
- LinkedIn networking
- Professional associations
- Veteran groups at companies
Salary Expectations by Company Tier
Tier 1 (Lockheed, RTX, Boeing, Northrop, GD)
| Role Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry | $65,000 - $85,000 |
| Mid-level | $90,000 - $130,000 |
| Senior | $130,000 - $180,000+ |
| Management | $150,000 - $250,000+ |
Tier 2 (L3Harris, BAE, Leidos, SAIC)
| Role Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry | $60,000 - $80,000 |
| Mid-level | $85,000 - $125,000 |
| Senior | $125,000 - $170,000+ |
| Management | $140,000 - $220,000+ |
Tier 3 (CACI, ManTech, Peraton)
| Role Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry | $55,000 - $75,000 |
| Mid-level | $80,000 - $120,000 |
| Senior | $115,000 - $160,000+ |
| Management | $130,000 - $200,000+ |
Note: Ranges vary by location (DC area typically higher), clearance level, and specific role.
Company Selection Criteria
Consider These Factors
Stability:
- Contract portfolio diversity
- Financial health
- Growth trajectory
Culture:
- Veteran representation
- Work environment
- Advancement opportunity
Benefits:
- Compensation competitiveness
- Health insurance quality
- Retirement plans
- Work-life balance
Opportunity:
- Training and development
- Career advancement
- Geographic flexibility
- Contract variety
The Bottom Line
The top 25 defense contractors offer:
- Thousands of positions for veterans
- Premium pay for cleared professionals
- Mission-relevant work using military experience
- Career growth opportunities
- Stability (relatively) in defense industry
Your military background is exactly what these companies need. Your clearance is your competitive advantage.
Start applying today.
Ready to dive deeper? Explore our detailed guides to Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, Raytheon, and more.
Sources: USAJobs.gov, OPM Veterans Preference, VA Employment Center
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