The defense and security industry focuses on the design and development of products and services that the U.S. military and Department of Defense (DoD) can use to protect the country. Working closely with the aerospace and technology industries, this field produces new technologies and products to meet the increased need for stringent security including operations against physical, chemical, and biological threats, missile and cyber threats. These products are typically very expensive to produce so manufacturers contract with branches of the military or other government departments. Defense and security products can include anything from aircraft, military vehicles, missiles, weaponry, identity verification software, surveillance software, and more.
The national security of the United States is organized by the federal government under the DoD, operating from Washington, D.C. A vast number of manufacturers contribute directly or indirectly to the country's defense efforts.
Defense Manufacturers
There are many companies that provide technology and equipment to military and security agencies as principal contractors. They build:
- Trucks and artillery
- Tanks, other vehicles, and weapons
- Cannons and radar
- Systems and other components
Subcontractors
From very large to very small companies, subcontractors supply components to principal contractors such as:
- Parts
- Supplies and materials
- Sub-assemblies
- Sonar, radio, missiles, and spacecraft
Roles and Workforce Needs
Defense and security is an ever growing and evolving industry, adapting and changing as new threats arise and dissipate. Because of these changes, many different specialties and backgrounds are needed. Individuals who work in this industry include scientists, engineers, computer and tech programmers, designers, architects, and even meteorologists.
The DoD employs its own staff of scientists, engineers, and researchers, who explore, design, develop, and implement many technologies vital to the country's national defense. The DoD also procures the manufacturing of all the necessary products, technologies, and materials supplied by commercial manufacturers that design and produce them.
Industry summary sourced from FirstHand Vault Guide.
Career Opportunities at a Glance
- Aerospace Engineer
- Contract Specialist
- Computer Engineer
- Computer Scientist
- Electronics Engineer
- Flight Test Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Metrology Engineer
- Pipeline Engineer
- Quality Assurance Inspector
- Radio Frequency Engineer
- Research and Development Engineer
- Reverse Engineer
- Roadway Engineer
- Signal Processing Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Structures Engineer
- Systems Engineer
- Test Engineer
Sample job titles based on 2020 - 2025 Auburn Engineering graduates responses to the Auburn University First Destination Survey.
- BAE Systems
- Boeing
- Defense Intelligence Agency
- General Dynamics
- General Electric
- Honeywell
- Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
- Integrated Solutions for Systems (IS4S)
- Jacobs
- L3 Harris Technologies
- Lockheed Martin
- National Security Agency
- Nortrhrop Grumman
- Parsons Corporation
- Raytheon Missiles and Defense
- SAIC
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Sample hiring organizations based on 2020 - 2025 Auburn Engineering graduates responses to the Auburn University First Destination Survey.
Pathways to Defense and Security Experience
- Aero and Astro Robotics Club
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Grand Challenges Scholars Program
- IEEE Auburn University Student Branch
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Sigma Gamma Tau
With sample hiring organizations + companies recruiting through
Support for your co-op and internship search
- Interest to Industry Meetings: Navigating Your Co-op or Internship Search
- Meet with a career coach
- Complete a Professional Experience Interest Form
Confirmed an upcoming opportunity?
- Aerospace Industries Association of America
- Air Force Association
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- American Society for Industrial Security
- Council of Defense and Space Industry Associations
- National Defense Industrial Association
- National Military Intelligence Association
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- Society of American Military Engineers
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
NAVIGATING THE HIRING PROCESS
Depending on the type of employer and the role, recruitment timelines vary. Governmental organizations, large companies, and manufacturers recruit most heavily in the fall for positions starting in the spring or summer. Opportunities still exist beyond the fall but are often more niche opportunities with smaller companies. Additionally, companies will hire throughout the year depending on the needs and demands of their projects or government contracts.
Seek opportunities to connect with employers at fall events such as the fall Engineering Career Fair, as well as at employer table talks, employer-in-residence, Ask Alumni Anything chats, and student organization meetings. Search for posted opportunities on Handshake and other sources referenced below.
ALUMNI AND NETWORKING IN THE INDUSTRY
- Allen Craven, '08 & '11 Mechanical | Apache Structures Team Lead | US Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center
- Austin Harris, '18 Mechanical | Research Engineer | IS4S
- Bailey Kamm, '18 Industrial & Systems | Test Engineer | SAIC
- Brett Smith, '86 Electrical | President & Technical Lead Engineer | Palisade Technologies LLC
- Brigitte Cohoon, '14 Industrial & Systems | Senior Facilities Engineer Lockheed Martin
- Derrick Scott, '87 Mechanical | Engineering Manager | Huntington Ingalls Industries
- Edward Hill, '17 Mechanical | Facilities Engineer | Missile Defense Agency
- Graham (Gray) Killough, '89 Aerospace | Vice President | PeopleTec, Inc.
- Jacob Redden, '19 Chemical & Biochemistry | Principle Software Engineer | Northrop Grumman
- Prianka Patel, '17 Mechanical | Principal Mechanical Engineer | Raytheon Technologies
- Ryan Hill, '08 '11 Mechanical | Vice President, Site Lead - Opelika | IS4S
You can access alumni such as these to learn about career paths, skills for the industry, and build your network through LinkedIn. Create an account and build your profile, then search for Auburn alumni by major, company, location, or other criteria on the Auburn University LinkedIn page. Chat with an Engineering Career Coach on strategies for networking and reaching out to connect.