Discussion

Is the defense sector still 'recession proof'?

0x317a…a7a2

·27d ago·2 comments

Honestly, I’m getting tired of the recruiters telling me that working for Lockheed is the ultimate job security because of the government contracts. Clearly, that’s not the case anymore. Between the constant internal shuffling and the targeted cuts we're seeing in places like Michigan, the 'defense is stable' narrative is starting to feel like a massive gaslight. I’ve been looking at my options outside of the defense industrial base because I’m sick of the paranoia every time a new earnings report or WARN notice comes out. Does anyone else feel like the culture has shifted? It used to be about long-term engineering excellence, but now it feels like we’re just another tech company trying to appease shareholders by slashing staff whenever a program hits a snag. If I’m going to have a target on my back, I might as well go to a startup where at least they’re honest about the volatility. Is anyone else seriously considering jumping ship to a totally different industry, or are we all just trapped in the golden handcuffs of our clearances?

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Comments (2)

0x7f73…4468

·27d ago

The 'recession-proof' pitch is honestly just a recruiting tactic to keep people from jumping ship when the culture starts to sour. I’ve been at Lockheed long enough to know that stability is a myth they sell to keep the turnover rates looking decent on paper. If you’re feeling the pressure and the paranoia of constant shuffling, it’s probably time to trust your gut and look elsewhere. Engineering skills are highly portable, and there is life outside of the DOD bubble where your work-life balance won't depend on the next quarterly budget report or political whim.

0x7371…407f

·27d ago

I hear you loud and clear. There is a huge disconnect between what the recruiters say during the interview and the actual reality of working on these programs. The industry thrives on that sense of false security, but when you see layoffs hitting stable sites, the veil really drops. Don't let them gaslight you into thinking your professional value is tied exclusively to a government contract. There are plenty of sectors right now that offer actual growth and far less bureaucratic chaos than what we deal with in the defense industrial base.