Much of the conversation about Generation Z in the workplace centers on what employers must change. Margarita Howard has made plenty of changes at HX5, from hybrid schedules to new messaging platforms. On one point, though, she holds firm: experience matters.

“We prefer to hire experienced individuals, so we look for people that have worked with, or supported, NASA or the Department of Defense, as this experience is always very helpful,” Howard said.

Federal Work Is Different

Her reasoning rests on how unlike commercial jobs federal programs can be. Supporting a NASA mission or a defense program involves its own rules, security demands, and expectations. Howard argues that experience gained in those settings “is very different from experience gained working in the commercial world.”

That preference reflects who already works at HX5. Some employees have stayed with the company for 15 years, a long run for a firm that celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. Women make up the majority of its management team, and many of those leaders hold advanced degrees.

HX5 operates in 34 states and at 90 government locations, with a workforce of more than 1,000. Most employees hold college degrees.

Meeting Younger Workers Partway

None of this means HX5 has closed its doors to newcomers. Howard has said she is excited about Gen Z and has tried to adapt to its preferences. The company has introduced flexible work where security permits and modernized internal communications with instant messaging and interactive project management tools.

The approach reflects a practical tension. Defense contractors need people who can obtain clearances and handle complex missions, yet the supply of such candidates falls short of demand. Technology companies compete for the same graduates, often with higher pay and faster hiring. National Defense Magazine reported that 82% of defense industrial base companies have trouble finding qualified STEM workers.

For Margarita Howard, the answer combines respect for proven expertise with enough flexibility to keep HX5 appealing to the next generation of scientists and engineers. Visit this page to learn more.

More about HX5 on https://www.finsmes.com/2026/01/margarita-howard-on-how-hx5s-defense-origins-launched-its-expansion-into-nasa-contracting.html