NextChapter

Aerospace & Defense: jobs, conferences and layoffs

Aircraft, space, defense contractors and government suppliers. Aerospace & Defense has about 18,990 verified open jobs on NextChapter right now, with a typical posted salary of $133,000 a year. About 33% of openings are entry or early-career level. Payroll employment in the closest BLS sector is up 0.6% over the past year (October 2026). 60 layoff notices were filed in the last 12 months. 71 conferences are tagged to it, 56 with dates announced.

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Aerospace & Defense market snapshot

Every figure names its source and period. Estimates are labeled as estimates.

Verified open jobs
about 18,990

Source: NextChapter job data, jobs verified live in the last 7 days.

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Typical posted salary
$133,000 a year (middle half $101,000 to $152,000)

Source: NextChapter job data: salary ranges employers posted, midpoint of each range, 1,849 of the newest 5,000 verified open jobs.

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Entry or early-career level
33% of openings

Source: NextChapter job data: level read from the full posting, newest 5,000 verified open jobs.

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Ask for AI skills
3% of openings

Source: NextChapter job data: AI-skill tagger on the posting text, newest 5,000 verified open jobs.

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Remote
2% of openings

Source: NextChapter job data, newest 5,000 verified open jobs.

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Employment, year over year
+0.6% in manufacturing, the closest BLS sector

Source: BLS Current Employment Statistics, seasonally adjusted payroll employment, October 2026.

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Job openings rate
4.4% of jobs, against 3.0% a year earlier (manufacturing, the closest BLS sector)

Source: BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, seasonally adjusted, September 2026.

Layoffs and discharges rate
0.8% of employment, against 0.9% a year earlier (manufacturing, the closest BLS sector)

Source: BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, seasonally adjusted, September 2026.

Hires rate
2.5% of employment, against 2.4% a year earlier (manufacturing, the closest BLS sector)

Source: BLS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, seasonally adjusted, September 2026.

Layoff notices, Aerospace & Defense
60 notices naming 3,994 workers

Source: State WARN filings collected by NextChapter, last 12 months.

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States with the most notices
CA (29), VA (6), IA (3)

Source: State WARN filings collected by NextChapter, last 12 months.

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Most recent notice
Sep 29, 2026

Source: State WARN filings collected by NextChapter.

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Conferences in the catalog for Aerospace & Defense
71, 56 with dates announced

Source: NextChapter conference catalog, checked against each event’s own site.

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Next conference
I/ITSEC, Nov 30, 2026

Source: NextChapter conference catalog.

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Median published ticket price
$480

Source: NextChapter conference catalog, lowest published price, 13 conferences with a price.

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Open calls for speakers
15 conferences

Source: NextChapter conference catalog.

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Skills most often named in openings

  1. 1. supply chain12%
  2. 2. python10%
  3. 3. project management7%
  4. 4. excel7%
  5. 5. procurement7%
  6. 6. agile6%
  7. 7. c++5%
  8. 8. logistics5%

States with the most openings

  1. 1. NY14%
  2. 2. CA14%
  3. 3. TX13%
  4. 4. VA8%
  5. 5. FL6%

What Aerospace & Defense pays

Advertised pay on live postings that state it, annual in US dollars.

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Aerospace & Defense outlook: Steady

Built from public Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers, not from our own postings. It describes the industry nationally, not any one employer.

  • Employment up 0.6% over the year in manufacturing
  • Job openings rate 4.4%, up 1.4 points from a year ago
  • Layoffs rate 0.8%, down 0.1 points from a year ago

Where Aerospace & Defense ranks

Where Aerospace & Defense placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.

November 2026

Open Aerospace & Defense jobs

Verified against the employer’s own career site within the last week.

Showing the newest 15 of about 18,990 verified open jobs here. Search all jobs

Functions hiring in this industry

Employers hiring

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Learn and get funded for aerospace & defense

Free to use. We point to the official page for each programme.

Aerospace & Defense conferences

Dates, costs, calls for speakers and who runs each one.

  • I/ITSEC

    Nov 30 to Dec 3, 2026 · Orlando, FL

    Ticket $350 to $925. Industry $775 (NTSA/NDIA member) to $925 late non-member; US gov non-DoD civilians $350; .gov/.mil email…

  • Reagan National Defense Forum

    Dec 4 to Dec 5, 2026 · Simi Valley, CA

    Free expo, paid sessions. In-person access is not described on the site ('more information coming soon'); a virtual registration…

  • AOC International Symposium and Convention

    Dec 8 to Dec 10, 2026 · National Harbor, MD

    Paid ticket, price not listed

  • National Veterans Small Business Engagement (NVSBE)

    Dec 8 to Dec 9, 2026 · Cleveland, OH

    Paid ticket. Registration details not read; save-the-date page was still coming.

  • Aspen Security Forum

    Dec 9, 2026 · Washington, DC

    Apply to attend

  • Student Veterans of America National Conference (NatCon)

    Jan 4 to Jan 6, 2027 · Grapevine, TX

    Ticket $250 to $650. Early-bird (to Oct 15, 2026): student member $250, school employee $550, government/non-profit $600, general…

    Open call for speakers

  • ClearanceJobs Career Fairs

    Jan 6, 2027 · In person and online

    Free. Pricing not stated on the schedule page; earlier ClearedJobs.Net virtual fairs were free to job seekers. Next listed: Jan…

  • AIAA SciTech Forum

    Jan 11 to Jan 15, 2027 · Orlando, FL

    Ticket $1,099 to $1,599. Full conference: early member $1,099, standard member $1,299, early non-member $1,399, standard…

    Open call for speakers

  • Surface Navy Association National Symposium

    Jan 12 to Jan 14, 2027 · Arlington, VA

    Paid ticket. Registration opens early November 2026; price not yet published.

  • National Small Business Conference (National 8(a) Association)

    Feb 1 to Feb 3, 2027 · New Orleans, LA

    Free expo floor; session passes $575. General registration early bird $575 (GovEvents listing); government agency reps free.

  • UAV Technology USA

    Feb 1 to Feb 2, 2027 · Arlington, VA

    Free expo, paid sessions. Standard price not listed on the page (shown at registration); $400 early-bird discount ended Oct 23,…

  • POC Defense R&D Summit

    Feb 4, 2027 · McLean, VA

    Paid ticket. Prices not listed

  • WEST Conference and Exposition

    Feb 16 to Feb 18, 2027 · San Diego, CA

    Free expo, paid sessions. Registration free for military and government personnel; industry pricing not read.

  • BEYA STEM Conference

    Feb 18 to Feb 20, 2027 · Baltimore, MD

    Paid ticket. Registration pricing not posted ("save the date").

  • Women in Aviation International Conference

    Feb 25 to Feb 27, 2027 · Savannah, GA

    Paid ticket. Registration opened September; price not read.

  • POC GovCon Executive Leadership Summit

    Feb 25, 2027 · In person

    Free expo, paid sessions. Potomac Officers Club membership tiers set the price: Professional $795/yr (40% off), Elite $1,495/yr…

  • SATELLITE (SATShow Week)

    Mar 8 to Mar 11, 2027 · Washington, DC

    Ticket $199 to $2,799. Conference pass $2,199 through Dec 11, 2026, $2,499 Dec 12-Feb 19, $2,799 Feb 20 onward. Tech Seminar…

  • Deltek Elevate

    Mar 8 to Mar 10, 2027 · Nashville, TN

    Ticket $1,995 to $2,395. Per pass: early $1,995, standard $2,195, final $2,395.

  • POC Artificial Intelligence Summit

    Mar 18, 2027 · In person

    Free expo, paid sessions. Price not published on event page; POC is a membership organization.

  • AEA International Convention & Trade Show

    Mar 23 to Mar 26, 2027 · Savannah, GA

    Paid ticket. Early-bird discount offered; amounts not shown on the convention page.

  • Annual Air Law Symposium

    Mar 29 to Mar 31, 2027 · Dallas, TX

    Paid ticket, price not listed

  • NSBE Annual Convention

    Mar 31 to Apr 4, 2027 · Boston, MA

    Ticket $480 to $760. 2027 rates not yet shown; 2026 professionals paid $480 early to $760 onsite; collegiate $345-$625.

    Open call for speakers

  • Sea-Air-Space

    Apr 4 to Apr 7, 2027 · National Harbor, MD

    Free expo, paid sessions. Gaylord National, Apr 4-7, 2027 (STEM Expo Apr 4; main show Apr 5-7 per Navy League). Not open to the…

  • Space Symposium

    Apr 12 to Apr 15, 2027 · Colorado Springs, CO

    Ticket $2,960 to $3,560. Industry standard registration: $2,960 by Feb 17, 2027; $3,260 Feb 18 to Apr 11; $3,560 onsite. The…

  • MRO Americas

    Apr 13 to Apr 15, 2027 · Orlando, FL

    Paid ticket. Price not seen.

  • CMMC Accelerate

    Apr 13, 2027 · Reston, VA

    Free. No fee to attend per the event FAQ; 2027 date tentative.

    Open call for speakers

  • SOF Week

    May 3 to May 6, 2027 · Tampa, FL

    Ticket $460 to $850. Full conference: non-profit/academia $460 early bird, $525 standard, $605 last chance; small business…

  • NBAA Maintenance Conference

    May 4 to May 6, 2027 · Charlotte, NC

    Paid ticket. Badge pricing not published yet; registration opens by February 2027. Optional one-day PDP course May 3.

    Open call for speakers · deadline Nov 18, 2026

  • Army Aviation Warfighting Summit

    May 5 to May 7, 2027 · Kansas City, MO

    Paid ticket, price not listed

  • AFCEA TechNet Cyber

    May 11 to May 13, 2027 · Baltimore, MD

    Ticket $975 to $1,150. 2026 rates (industry member $975, non-member $1,150) shown as reference; 2027 not yet posted.…

  • VFS Annual Forum and Technology Display

    May 11 to May 13, 2027 · Phoenix, AZ

    Paid ticket, price not listed

  • GEOINT Symposium

    May 17 to May 19, 2027 · Kissimmee, FL

    Paid ticket. Registration opens November 2026.

    Open call for speakers · deadline Nov 13, 2026

  • AUVSI XPONENTIAL

    May 17 to May 20, 2027 · Miami Beach, FL

    Paid ticket. May 17-20, 2027 (exhibits May 18-20), Miami Beach Convention Center. 2027 attendee prices not yet posted; 2026 XPO…

    Open call for speakers

  • APMP Bid & Proposal Con

    May 18 to May 21, 2027 · Anaheim, CA

    Ticket $1,275 to $1,655. Early bird to Mar 12, 2027: $1,275 corporate member, $1,375 individual member, $1,655 non-member.

    Open call for speakers · deadline Jan 11, 2027

  • ASCEND

    May 18 to May 20, 2027 · In person

    Paid ticket. City not stated.

  • POC Cyber Summit

    May 26, 2027 · In person

    Free expo, paid sessions. Potomac Officers Club membership tiers set the price: Professional $795/yr (40% off), Elite $1,495/yr…

  • AIAA AVIATION Forum

    Jun 7 to Jun 11, 2027 · San Diego, CA

    Paid ticket. Registration opens Feb 2027; early bird to May 10, 2027.

    Open call for speakers · deadline Nov 12, 2026

  • Employing U.S. Vets Conference

    Jun 23, 2027 · New York, NY

    Paid ticket. Price not published; page directs questions to organizer.

  • POC Army Summit

    Jun 24, 2027 · In person

    Free expo, paid sessions. Potomac Officers Club membership tiers set the price: Professional $795/yr (40% off), Elite $1,495/yr…

  • Space Tech Expo USA

    Jun 29 to Jul 1, 2027 · Anaheim, CA

    Paid ticket. Prices not listed.

  • NCMA World Congress

    Jul 25 to Jul 27, 2027 · Aurora, CO

    Paid ticket. Price not read; check NCMA member rates.

  • EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

    Jul 26 to Aug 1, 2027 · Oshkosh, WI

    Paid ticket. Ticket prices at eaa.org tickets page; not read.

  • SmallSat Conference

    Aug 1 to Aug 4, 2027 · Salt Lake City, UT

    Paid ticket. Rates to be posted.

    Open call for speakers

  • DEF CON

    Aug 5 to Aug 8, 2027 · Las Vegas, NV

    Paid ticket. Badge price not read.

    Open call for speakers

  • SMD Symposium

    Aug 10 to Aug 12, 2027 · Huntsville, AL

    Paid ticket. Price on attendee page.

  • TechNet Augusta

    Aug 17 to Aug 19, 2027 · Augusta, GA

    Paid ticket. Registration and agenda due Spring 2027.

  • Commercial UAV Expo

    Sep 7 to Sep 9, 2027 · Las Vegas, NV

    Free expo, paid sessions. Pricing page still shows 2026 rates; exhibit-hall pass available; group discount for 5+.

    Open call for speakers · deadline Feb 20, 2027

  • AFA Air, Space & Cyber Conference

    Sep 20 to Sep 22, 2027 · National Harbor, MD

    Paid ticket. Fees not listed on page; virtual option offered in 2026.

  • National Cyber Summit

    Sep 21 to Sep 23, 2027 · Huntsville, AL

    Paid ticket. Registration cost not on page.

    Open call for speakers

  • Military Influencer Conference

    Sep 22 to Sep 25, 2027 · Tampa, FL

    Paid ticket. Ticket prices not shown on the official page.

  • ASPIRE: HFES International Annual Meeting

    Sep 27 to Oct 1, 2027 · Grand Rapids, MI

    Paid ticket. Not captured.

  • IMAT

    Oct 4 to Oct 7, 2027 · Columbus, OH

    Paid ticket. Registration fees not stated on the page; member discounts may apply.

  • AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition

    Oct 11 to Oct 13, 2027 · Washington, DC

    Free. Registration reported free in 2026; dinners/lunches $65-$190. Dates subject to change per AUSA.

  • ASNT Annual Conference

    Oct 18 to Oct 21, 2027 · Albuquerque, NM

    Paid ticket. Fees not listed; discounts for ASNT Professional and Pro Plus members.

  • NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE)

    Oct 19 to Oct 21, 2027 · Las Vegas, NV

    Paid ticket. Price not seen. 2026 edition Oct 20-22 is just ended.

  • IMTS

    Sep 11 to Sep 16, 2028 · Chicago, IL

    Paid ticket. IMTS 2028, McCormick Place, Sept 11-16, 2028 (biennial; IMTS 2026 has ended). Attendee registration not open yet;…

  • Billington CyberSecurity Summit

    Usually September (next dates not announced) · Washington, DC

    Paid ticket. Pricing not listed on page; Critical Infrastructure summit Nov 17-18, 2026, State & Local Mar 17-19, 2027.

  • CS5 (CMMC Ecosystem Summit & Implementation Conference)

    Usually October (next dates not announced) · Oxon Hill, MD

    Paid ticket. Prices at cs5global.org, not opened. 2026 East was Oct 22-23.

  • IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS)

    Usually May (next dates not announced) · San Antonio, TX

    Paid ticket. Registration prices not on the page.

    Open call for speakers · deadline Dec 8, 2026

  • SWE Annual Conference (WE26)

    Usually November (next dates not announced) · Boston, MA

    Ticket $275 to $1,050. Professional full conference: member $625 early bird (to Aug 31), $700 standard, $800 late/onsite from Oct…

Showing 60 of 71 conferences, 56 with dates announced.

Industry associations and organizers

Aerospace & Defense layoffs by state

Layoff notices filed in the last 12 months.

Aerospace & Defense layoff notices by feed

Get new Aerospace & Defense layoff notices by RSS · all feeds

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