HX5 CEO Margarita Howard on Winning Gen Z for Defense Work

Few industries face a more layered talent problem than defense contracting. The candidate pool is narrow, clearance timelines are long, and the commercial technology sector competes aggressively for the same graduates. Margarita Howard, the sole owner, CEO, and president of HX5, has spent more than two decades building strategies to overcome those obstacles. The company she leads operates in 34 states and employs over 1,000 people providing STEM services to NASA and the Department of Defense across 90 government locations.

Understanding What Gen Z Wants

Research on Generation Z workers those born between 1997 and 2012 consistently points to three priorities: meaningful growth opportunities, modern technology, and employers whose values they respect. The World Economic Forum found that 38% of Gen Z respondents said they were likely to leave their jobs within a year, 4 percentage points higher than prior surveys. For HX5 and Margarita Howard, that data underscores why creating a workplace where young workers can see a genuine future is not optional it is operationally necessary.

Howard has not treated Gen Z’s preferences as obstacles to be managed. “We’re excited about Gen Z, and certainly we’ve tried to adapt as much as we can to their needs and what we’re seeing as their wants,” she said. Concrete adaptations include hybrid work arrangements where security permits, updated internal communication tools, and a deliberate effort to help candidates and employees understand how defense work connects to outcomes that genuinely matter scientific exploration, national security, and technological advancement.

Retention Through Purpose and Culture

Perhaps the most telling indicator of HX5’s success is retention. Despite the broader Gen Z tendency toward job-hopping, some HX5 employees have stayed with the company for 15 years. The company reached its 20th anniversary in 2024. Howard attributes much of that longevity to mission clarity. When employees understand that their daily contributions support a NASA mission or a Department of Defense program, the work carries a weight that a commercial software role rarely does. A management team composed largely of experienced women holding advanced degrees further signals that professional development and advancement are genuine possibilities at HX5, not aspirational language. Read this article for additional information.

More about HX5 on https://www.itsecurityguru.org/2025/11/12/what-will-defense-contracting-look-like-in-10-years/