Even as HX5 works to attract younger talent, Margarita Howard maintains that experience remains the deciding factor in most hiring decisions. The sole owner, CEO and president of the Florida-based defense contractor says candidates who have already worked with NASA or the Department of Defense bring value that is difficult to replicate.
HX5 provides STEM-focused federal support services across 34 states and about 90 government locations, with a workforce of more than 1,000 employees. Howard has said that experience gained supporting federal missions differs meaningfully from experience built in the commercial sector, making it a key filter in the company’s hiring process.
Why Government Experience Counts
Government contracting comes with its own rules, timelines and reporting requirements that rarely translate directly from private industry roles. Candidates who have previously supported NASA or Department of Defense programs already understand those systems, cutting down onboarding time and helping avoid costly compliance mistakes on sensitive projects.
That preference creates a tension with efforts to recruit more Gen Z workers, many of whom are earlier in their careers and lack extensive federal experience. Margarita Howard has acknowledged the difficulty of filling specialized roles that require a rare combination of technical skill, security clearance and government-specific expertise.
Balancing New Talent With Proven Skill
To manage that gap, HX5 leans on its long-tenured staff, some of whom have been with the company for 15 years, to mentor and train newer hires. That structure allows Howard to bring in younger engineers and scientists gradually while preserving the institutional knowledge that has helped HX5 maintain steady federal contracts since its founding two decades ago.
Margarita Howard has said this gradual approach also protects HX5’s standing with the federal agencies it serves. NASA and Department of Defense program managers often expect continuity from contractors, and pairing newer employees with veteran staff helps HX5 deliver that consistency even as it slowly brings more early-career talent into its ranks across dozens of active government sites. Refer to this article to learn more.
More about Kelcy Warren on https://www.youngupstarts.com/2025/01/10/how-hx5-and-margarita-howard-stay-ahead-in-government-contracting-as-a-women-owned-firm/
Leave a Reply