A worker in protective gear stands in front of reflective panes in a manufacturing facility.

Aerospace & Defense

Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Catapult your aerospace and defense career journey to new heights. Booming with opportunity, Fairfax NOVA is known for mission-driven employment possibilities across industries that are pushing the boundaries, from cybersecurity to systems engineering. Explore new job listings and in-person opportunities to meet potential employers. Here, you rub shoulders with global leaders in aerospace and defense, from Boeing and Lockheed Martin to Leidos and Northrop Grumman.

Fast Facts

$142,790

Annual Mean Wage for Aerospace Engineers (D.C. Metro Area)

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
$50B+

Government contracts (mostly defense) awarded to Northern Virginia companies in Fiscal Year

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, 2022
8.5%

Projected Aerospace Industry Growth over the Next Decade (Virginia)

Virginia Economic Development Partnership

Out of this World Careers

Silhoutted engineers work on the wing of a passenger jet at a hangar.

Fairfax NOVA’s thriving aerospace and defense job market is backed by industry leaders. Lockheed Martin. Northrop Grumman. Boeing. Household names like these make up just three of the top 10 global defense employers in Northern Virginia. Job openings range from mechanical engineer and manufacturing engineer roles to business development positions.

Need more proof? Airbus, Raytheon, General Dynamics and more have invested more than $1.2 billion in Virginia over the past decade, laying the foundation for industry leaps and bounds at lightspeed. Here, industry giants like these find the space to honor their legacies while looking to the future – in Fairfax NOVA, you can too.

Learn from Today, Upskill for Tomorrow

A young man examines a rocket.

We’re home to top-tier colleges, universities and upskilling programs that have educated generations of aerospace and defense industry talent while remaining at the cutting edge. Reimagine your career with bachelor’s degree and master’s degree designed for the future of aerospace and defense at Virginia Tech’s new Innovation Campus in Alexandria. At VA Cyber Skills Academy, take advantage of free cybersecurity training for veterans and active-duty military personnel, because where you’re coming from is as important as where you’re going to. Join the ranks of ambitious professionals finding solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges – in Fairfax NOVA, educational and upskilling opportunities are just the start.

Cleared for Takeoff

Calling all veterans and cleared talent – in Northern Virginia, you can put your government security to use contributing to cutting-edge aerospace and defense projects led by the top players in the industry. Get inspired. Get educated. And find the support you need to make your next career move your best on yet. Learn more about opportunities for veterans and cleared talent.