Patrick Malcor’s Post

Students learn how to calculate stress, but are rarely taught how to navigate the industry they are about to enter. After working in the sector for several years, here are the 5 concepts engineering school didn’t teach you about the Defense Industry.: -The "Whole Person" Concept: Why your security clearance isn't doomed by a past mistake, provided you are honest. -The "T-Shaped" Engineer: Why deep technical skill isn't enough if you can't communicate across disciplines. -Requirements Traceability: Why we don't just "add cool features" in high-consequence engineering. -The Industrial Web: The difference between working at a Prime, a Subcontractor, and a National Lab (culture fit is everything). -Federal Resume Style: Why the one-page resume advice often fails when a federal ATS is scanning for keywords. I wrote The Defense Sector Launchpad to be the textbook for this missing class. It’s the field manual that bridges the gap between a degree and a career in national security, as well as provides the history and context needed to speak the language. Please share this with an engineering student who is currently navigating the job hunt. It might be the map they need. https://a.co/d/0gil9a9u #Engineering #CareerAdvice #Defense #Aerospace #Mentorship #EngineeringStudents #Resilience #JobSearch #NationalSecurity #SystemsEngineering #Hiring #DefenseIndustry #Leadership

🚀 Top Defense Accelerators You Should Know About as an Industry Innovator (Part 1) Below are 11 defense and dual-use accelerators and innovation platforms you should know about including U.S. services, allied partners, and global ecosystems. More to come in follow-on posts! 1. NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) — https://lnkd.in/e3iVha9s — Transatlantic network connecting innovators to NATO users and testbeds. 2. Palladion Defence Accelerator (Germany) — https://lnkd.in/d47qEbcP — German DIANA hub accelerating dual-use deep tech. 3. Starburst Aerospace Defense Accelerator — https://lnkd.in/dCgbF6VY — Global A&D innovation program. 4. Army xTech Accelerator (U.S. Army / FedTech) — https://lnkd.in/d9FPRfdr — Army innovation accelerator linking startups to Army missions. 5. NSIN - National Security Innovation Network — https://lnkd.in/dYPVYC7M — Absorbed by DIU, this agency operates as a DoD-linked innovation and prototyping ecosystem. 6. FedTech Accelerator — https://lnkd.in/dHTm5tSC — Commercialization accelerator for defense tech. 7. Air Force Accelerator (Techstars) — https://lnkd.in/dU_NBSk3 — Air Force and space technology acceleration. 8. Catalyst Accelerator Colorado Springs — https://lnkd.in/dzt26dyi — Space and dual-use acceleration support. 9. NavalX (U.S. Navy & Marine Corps Innovation Accelerator) — https://lnkd.in/dXRu6tF6 — NavalX, absorbed by DoN RCO, has active accelerators like the Crucible listed below. Monitor for updates to these programs through the transition! 10. Crucible Accelerator (NavalX + FedTech) — https://lnkd.in/dRKa5nfH — A 10-week no-equity program inspired by U.S. Marines’ resilience ethos and powered by NavalX in partnership with FedTech, focused on solving real Navy/Marine Corps challenges with mentorship and access to defense partners. 11. SOFWERX (USSOCOM Innovation Platform) — https://lnkd.in/dYwSdmCu — A continuous innovation hub partnered with U.S. Special Operations Command for rapid experimentation, tech design forums, and collaboration between operators, industry, and academia. 12. Vimy Forge —www.vimyforge.ca/ — A national defence accelerator building an ecosystem that strengthens Canada's sovereignty competitiveness, and security.

🚀 Oklahoma’s workforce just got a boost! The new Oklahoma Talent Accelerator is live, connecting employers, workers, and training providers to high-demand career pathways. Backed by a nearly $6M U.S. Department of Labor grant, the program can cover up to 80% of training costs in aerospace & defense, advanced manufacturing, and AI infrastructure. Learn more: https://guild.com/oktalent Check out our press release in the comments!

Oklahoma companies who hire in the aerospace and defense, AI infrastructure, and Advanced Manufacturing fields, this is for you. Workforce Development has gone through a lot of changes in Oklahoma over the last few years, so the road might be a bit bumpy but this looks like pretty strong ROI. (I'm waiting to hear how Advanced Manufacturing is being defined.) Thank you, David Crow!

We are so happy to make this program available for Oklahoma employers!!! Oklahoma is investing in aerospace and defense, advanced manufacturing, and AI infrastructure. Upskill your existing staff, on us!! 😎 Learn more: https://guild.com/oktalent

Great news today for the aero and defense industry in OK! The Oklahoma Talent Accelerator initiative helps employers offset up to 80% of training costs, expands access to industry-aligned programs for workers, and strengthens partnerships with learning providers to meet Oklahoma’s evolving workforce needs. The program is supported by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor and aims to increase access to training, job creation, and wages across three key industries: aerospace & defense, advanced manufacturing and AI infrastructure. Learn more below!

Vector Atomic has been awarded $11,000,000.00 by the United States Department of War, through the United States Department of the Army. This award is part of the Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase III Action, supporting applied research and the scaling of advanced technologies. The project, titled "Scaling Manufacturing and Affordability of Resilient Timing Systems (SMARTS)," focuses on enhancing the production and cost-effectiveness of resilient timing systems. Classified under research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences, the initiative addresses the critical need for robust, reliable timing solutions in defense applications. The innovation centers on improving manufacturing processes to deliver affordable, scalable timing systems that support mission-critical operations and ensure synchronization across complex military networks. The contract performance period begins on September 20, 2024, and ends on September 29, 2026, with a total duration of 2 years. The action date for this definitive contract was September 20, 2024. Vector Atomic is based in Pleasanton, California.

Our Managing Partner, Tanveer I. Kathawalla, had a great conversation with Thomas Braun on where the industrial base is heading. As programs shift toward higher-volume, attritable systems, the constraint is no longer design. It is certified capacity, process control, and production discipline across Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers. At Pioneer1890, we acquire and modernize founder-led aerospace and defense businesses with EBITDA under $2M, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and east of the Mississippi. Our goal is to preserve institutional knowledge, professionalize operations, and expand capability to support next-generation programs at scale. If you know a founder who is considering a transition or seeking a scaling partner, the full discussion is linked below.

The Geopolitical Boost to Aerospace: Defence Spending and the Talent Equation Geopolitics is no longer background noise for aerospace. It is a growth driver. Across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, defence budgets are rising. Governments are accelerating procurement, investing in next-generation platforms and committing to long-term modernisation. The commercial impact is clear. The talent implications are more complex. Growth Brings Competition Expanded aircraft programmes, unmanned systems, space capability and cyber defence are driving demand for: • Systems integration engineers • Cybersecurity specialists • Avionics and radar experts • AI-enabled defence systems talent • Space engineering capability These skill sets were already scarce. Add security clearance requirements and the pool narrows further. Commercial and Defence Are Converging. We are seeing increased movement between commercial aerospace and defence. Manufacturing scale, advanced composites, digital transformation and supply chain optimisation expertise are increasingly transferable. The shift is less about sector experience — more about capability and adaptability. Organisations that recognise this are widening their talent aperture. The Supply Chain Constraint Pressure extends beyond prime contractors. Tier-one and tier-two suppliers face rising production rates, compressed timelines and heightened quality demands. Recruitment delays are no longer administrative issues - they are programme risks. Strategic workforce planning is becoming a competitive advantage. 2026: The Talent Equation Defence, space start-ups and major technology firms are competing for overlapping skill sets. The winners will be those who: • Build long-term talent pipelines • Invest in early-career development • Enable mobility across adjacent sectors • Protect retention during rapid expansion Geopolitics may be driving growth. Delivery will depend on people. #Talent #Aviation #Aerospace #Energy #Parmenion

🏭 SUPPLIER MATCHMAKING EXPO UPDATE 🏭 The 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo will provide the opportunity for small businesses and local suppliers to meet domestic corporate firms of all sizes that are looking for partners in production. Suppliers will have the option to participate in one-on-one matchmaking sessions with prospective buyers, in addition to networking with federal, state, and local resources that support small manufacturers. Buyers confirmed to participate in the 2026 Supplier Matchmaking Expo include:   Boeing Eli Lilly First Energy Ford Motor Company HDT Global Honeywell International, Inc. Knoll America, Inc. Lockheed Martin Magna International Miami Federal NASA Johnson Space Center Office of Small Business Programs National Gypsum Company Perma USA Siemens USA Strategic Storage Partners (SSP)/DOE TerraPower Toyota U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. General Services Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization U.S. Department of War Office of Industrial Base Growth   The event will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Registration for both buyers and suppliers is open at https://lnkd.in/evhEPvN9 .