Terry David“You have to get up in the morning and be excited about the particular program you’re supporting, let’s get to the moon, let’s accomplish this mission overseas where X and Y are happening.” That is how Margarita Howard frames work at HX5 when she speaks with potential recruits. Her pitch centers on purpose rather than perks.
Competing With Big Tech Paychecks
Defense contractors face a tough contest for scientists and engineers. Technology companies often offer higher salaries, immediate employment, and more flexible arrangements. Security clearances, meanwhile, can add months or years to the hiring timeline for government work.
Howard’s company provides STEM-focused federal support to NASA and the Department of Defense, which gives recruiters a story few commercial employers can match. Programs connected to space exploration and overseas missions carry a sense of purpose that appeals to candidates who care about meaning.
That emphasis fits Gen Z priorities. A Deloitte study found that 77% of Gen Z respondents consider it vital to work for companies whose values match their own.
Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is expected to make up about 30% of the workforce by 2030, according to Johns Hopkins University. For HX5, which supports NASA and the Department of Defense across 34 states, appealing to that group is a practical necessity.
Evidence From Retention
The mission-driven message appears to hold people. Margarita Howard points out that “Some of them have been with us 15 years,” a long tenure for a company that celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024.
That record stands out against broader survey data. World Economic Forum research shows 38% of Gen Z respondents say they are likely to quit within a year, a four-point jump from the earlier survey.
HX5 has also adjusted daily work to suit younger hires, introducing hybrid models where security allows and adding instant messaging and project management platforms. The core recruiting message stays the same, though. Margarita Howard wants every new employee to believe the program they support truly matters. See related link for additional information.
Find more information about Margarita Howard on https://dataconomy.com/2026/02/23/infrastructure-as-competitive-advantage-margarita-howards-early-investment-philosophy-at-hx5/