Aviation manufacturing job market? (Colorado Springs, Grand Junction: home, contractor, living in)

[Kfare]

My husband and I are considering a move to Colorado Springs when he graduates in a year. We've been a handful of times, love the area for many reasons and are ultimately dying to escape the heat/humidity of TX and be closer to the mountains. He's a Navy veteran and will have a degree in Manufacturing Engineering, with the goal of working for a company like Lockheed or Northrop, ideally working with aircraft in some capacity.

We've just started searching for jobs in this area and so far we're not finding many job openings that would fit that bill. I work from home so we could potentially make the move and still be financially secure while he job hunts, however it's definitely more ideal to have a job for him lined up before making the move.

If anyone has insider tips on where to look or is in the industry themselves, would love some feedback on the aviation manufacturing market out there (if it exists in CO Springs). We know that Fort Worth and San Diego are good places for the type of job he's after, but the heat & lack of outdoor activities in Fort Worth and cost of living in San Diego rule them out. And we love CO!

Thanks in advance!

[COcheesehead]

Maybe someone else can chime in about the Springs, but Lockheed Martin has a big presence in the state. https://www.lockheedmartinjobs.com
Grand Junction also has some aviation companies. https://www.gjep.org/key-industries/aviation-aerospace/

[Vision67]

You might try looking here first: https://www.ppwfc.org/

As for specific manufacturing jobs, it depends upon skills.

What are his specific skills and qualifications?

[TCHP]

There are some in the Cos area, but it is not a hot bed of aviation manufacturing. The two largest may be Sierra Nevada Completions and UTC/Goodrich Aerospace. I've not seen much activity from Sierra and UTC seems to post jobs semi-regularly, which would led me to believe they have turn over.There are numerous other smaller shops doing mil-spec and aerospace work, but the predominate large, aerospace companies in town are mostly control/command and software based, not hardware.

You are about 25 years too late for easily acquiring manufacturing engineering jobs in Cos. I see at least a resume a month coming in to my company from recently graduated mechanical, manufacturing, and hardware engineers and we have nothing for them. If he has some experience in estimating, programming, and machine shop work, I'd certainly play up the variety of experience to get your foot in the door.

I'll second the look at Pikes Peak Workforce as a number of smaller local companies use that to search for talent.

[Kfare]

Thank you all for the feedback! Super helpful to get different perspectives. Will definitely check out the Workforce site too, this looks like a great resource.

As far as skills/quals go, he has about 15 years working experience (banking & management), 10 years active duty in the Navy as a Master at Arms with multiple certs in that area (Homeland Security, sec clearance, etc) and is doing a complete career change, graduating with a Bachelors in Manufacturing Engineering in less than a year. His passion is in aviation, so looking to get his foot in the door into a company like Lockheed or even a smaller military contractor. We're finding the same thing too, where most aerospace companies in the area have mainly software based roles or are focused on satellite systems. Not getting hopes down yet, great to hear the varied feedback though.

[LHS79]

Originally Posted by Kfare

Thank you all for the feedback! Super helpful to get different perspectives. Will definitely check out the Workforce site too, this looks like a great resource.

As far as skills/quals go, he has about 15 years working experience (banking & management), 10 years active duty in the Navy as a Master at Arms with multiple certs in that area (Homeland Security, sec clearance, etc) and is doing a complete career change, graduating with a Bachelors in Manufacturing Engineering in less than a year. His passion is in aviation, so looking to get his foot in the door into a company like Lockheed or even a smaller military contractor. We're finding the same thing too, where most aerospace companies in the area have mainly software based roles or are focused on satellite systems. Not getting hopes down yet, great to hear the varied feedback though.

Usually folks with TOP SECRET clearances are picked up quickly no matter what your experience is, not sure about the Secret level but an ACTIVE clearance is a huge advantage.

[Vision67]

Here is a local company that recently built a new facility

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/...8-7ee95ebb4b86

try there

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by LHS79

Usually folks with TOP SECRET clearances are picked up quickly no matter what your experience is, not sure about the Secret level but an ACTIVE clearance is a huge advantage.

I'd agree with this wholeheartedly. That active clearance may be more valuable than the ME degree. Certainly play up experience in other areas and you will probably find something that is decent, even if it isn't in avionics or engineering.

Originally Posted by Vision67

Here is a local company that recently built a new facility

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/...8-7ee95ebb4b86

try there

They do make parts for aerospace industries, but I wouldn't call them an aerospace manufacturer. Pay for engineering disciplines there is decent, but their direct labor folks hardly make anything. I suppose it will come down to if the OP's DH want to work in airframe and avionics companies or simply work for someplace with an AS9100 certification in aerospace manufacturing as several dozen machine shops in town that do aerospace work maintain.

[LHS79]

With the clearance I'd check out Lockheed Martin since they have a huge presence in town- you will probably find something related to your aviation background in the area (Peterson AFB, Ft. Carson, USAFA).

[Kfare]

This is great info, thank you all very much for your input! He needs to check and make sure his clearance is still active as it's been 5 years since leaving the Navy. Sounds like it'll be one of the most important things to ensure as he hits the pavement.