List some small defense (sub) contractors for me! (Fredericksburg, Christiansburg: attorneys, school)

[Azmordean]

Hey all, I'm going to try to make a long story short here. I recently relocated up here to Northern Virginia.

My background is as follows - graduated Magna C.um Laude from Virginia Tech in 2003 with a B.A. in Economics and a Computer Science Minor. Went on to William & Mary School of Law, and earned a J.D., graduated in 2006. Worked a bit over two years for a small law firm in Christiansburg, VA. For mainly personal reasons, decided to move back up here, gave ample notice, etc, right before the economy went to hell .

So, now I'm job searching. I didn't *mind* the practice of law, but overall, its not really what I was looking for. Or, at least, I'd like to try something else. Part of my issue is that while I like law, I am also very interested in the business side of things, and am very techy. So, after much research, talking with senior people familiar with the field, and even an "interest inventory test," I've figured out that "Contract Administration / Negotiation / Management" may be right up my alley. Particularly with the high tech defense/IT contractors in these parts, it seems like it'd be a nice mix of law (contract law & regulations), business (management and pricing), and technology (the subject matter of the contracts). It seems as though that'd fit my interests, and frankly, my background as well.

So now I'm in the process of searching for positions. My work experience included substantial contract work from the legal side, but not with federal cotnracts. I understand that, particularly from an HR perspective, this looks like a change of field. Thus, I am willing to consider entry level positions. My salary requirements are modest - ideally 55+ (which i think should be doable with an advanced degree) but really anything 50+. I just want to get in the door - then I can worry about progressing!

So now the real question. All the big defense contractors are obvious - Northrop, Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, General Dynamics, etc. I have been applying for positions with them as they come up, and working such contacts as I have. But those are big, well known companies, and competition is stiff. In an economy like this, its easy for companies like that to push aside the resume of someone who is attempting a "change of field" and go with a more traditional, and therefore (in their eyes), less risky applicant.

So, what I'm looking for, is a list of small defense contractors / defense subcontractors. I know there are a lot of them out there. They are less well known, so they may be a better place to get in the door. The problem is identifying them! So if anyone has any thoughts on companies I should check out, I'd appreciate it!

[becwells]

DM sent!

[dalexan242]

I am in-house counsel and have Federal Contracting experience so get hit up by recruiters for defense contractor positions with some frequency. There are so few attorneys that actually want to do government contracting that there are usually a lot of positions available with salary bands far greater than your posted expectations.

I haven't looked in a while, but in addition to careerbuilder and monsters, a lot of smaller defense contractors also had listings on the Association of Corporate Counsel job posting website (acc.com). If you plan on working in-house, there's really no better resource for networking/continuing education than the ACC.

[Denton56]

Have you posted your resume online? My son got lots of calls from head hunters from various defense contractors when he did that. Also, have you considered working for the federal government? They're hiring!

[Azmordean]

Originally Posted by Denton56

Have you posted your resume online? My son got lots of calls from head hunters from various defense contractors when he did that. Also, have you considered working for the federal government? They're hiring!

Yeah, I posted it on Monster but only this week - so maybe I'll hear something from that at some point? I also created a linkedin profile and posted it there. I've applied for many jobs with the feds, but they are frankly just to slow getting back to you, and the competition is apparently fiercely intense (at least for attorney positions - the big law firms are all laying off associates and even partners). The problem with contract admin positions with the government is the entry level pay is just too low - only GS7 to GS9, as opposed to GS11 for an attorney position. Combine that with time-in-grade requirements, and it makes the private sector the only truly viable option when it comes to the contract admin side of things.

[onevthoki]

Look at Bechtel, SAIC, Battelle. Also, there was recently a job fair in Fredericksburg that many of the contractors from Dahlgren attend. Not sure when that will be happening again, but you can check.

[nwlv]

here's a couple that are small now: SUNmicrosystems, Unisys. Some oldies but goodies: TRW, EDS. They publish, what companies get contracts in the Post.

I commend you for being specific about your background. Many come to the forum and say "I've got a Masters with lots of experience in mid-level management, and want to make 80K."

[onevthoki]

You also might want to concentrate your search on some of the nearby installations that will be growing due to BRAC movement... Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort Belvoir and Fort Lee. I realize that APG and Ft. Lee may involve a move, but sometimes they will throw that in with the deal. And the cost of living in the Ft. Lee area is a little less than NoVA.

[HEATHER72]

The three I was going to mention are SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton and Raytheon. I highly suggest going to the job fairs. I found hubby a job with SAIC thru the Sunday edition of the Washington Post. He attended their job fair and was offered a job the same day.

[oneasterisk]

Don't forget CSC. They have a ton of contracts in the area.

I too am a big believer of Monster.com. I found my last two jobs through Monster. You do get a bunch of junk that comes in, but I had two job offers to choose from.