The space industry is entering a new era of innovation and growth driven by private companies. As launch costs fall and technology advances, space is becoming increasingly accessible to entrepreneurs and startups. This “new space race” holds tremendous opportunity, but realizing it will require sourcing specialized talent. At Manning + Company, we leverage our networks and recruiting expertise to help aerospace clients build high-performing teams across every function.
From Tourism to Industry
For years, space was the sole province of governments and giants like Boeing. But the rise of companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and others is opening up space access. These private players aim to provide services from space tourism to satellite launch to eventual colonization.
Billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos provide the capital and vision. But a tremendous amount of human talent will be required to make their plans reality. Smaller startups are also proliferating, creating new demand for aerospace engineers, programmers, and other specialists.
Manning + Company helps source talent for new space companies like Capella Space, which is building a constellation of advanced synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites to provide rapid Earth observation. We recently helped Capella recruit their Vice President of Strategy, Business Development & Global Commercial Products – just one example of our work in this exciting industry.
The larger aerospace ecosystem is hungry for skills as well. Incumbents like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon have major space divisions supporting government agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense. Here too, our recruiting team identifies qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Sourcing the Right Stuff
Recruiting the specialized talent needed for the rocket science of space exploration is no easy task. The industry requires experts across a wide span of disciplines:
Hardware Engineering – Materials, electrical, propulsion, GNC, thermal, mechanical, systems, and other engineers to conquer the immense physical challenges.
Software Engineering – Programmers skilled in embedded systems, modeling & simulation, autonomous systems, avionics, and other space-specific applications.
Materials Science – Developing new metals, alloys, composites, fuels, and more purpose-built to withstand the harsh space environment.
Business Functions – Strategy, advanced programs, business development, and finance experts who understand space’s unique ecosystem.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain – Sourcing production talent focused on the precision and excellence aerospace demands.
Our recruiting team maintains relationships with top universities, research centers like NASA JPL, and training programs to tap emerging space professionals across these domains.
We also excel at recruiting senior leadership for space companies seeking to professionalize. Our executive search team identifies entrepreneurial executives with technology expertise from industries like enterprise software and cleantech.
For roles requiring security clearances, we leverage our background in defense and intelligence to find qualified candidates. Past placements requiring clearances include spacecraft engineers, space launch managers, and other technical experts.
Building Complete Teams
At Manning + Company, we understand it’s about more than just filling open seats. Our organizational design experts work closely with clients to map optimal organizational structures and roles to support business goals. We take a holistic approach to talent rather than plugging holes.
Once candidates are sourced, our recruiting process ensures they are thoroughly evaluated for both technical qualifications and culture fit. This is particularly critical for startups needing to move fast.
We also stay involved post-hire to boost team effectiveness through onboarding, development programs, and team-building initiatives tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Reaching New Heights
The possibilities opening up in space are astonishing. But capital and technology alone won’t make them achievable – it takes human talent. At Manning + Company, we share the excitement and bold vision of today’s space pioneers. Our talent expertise exists to help companies reach those lofty goals.
With our blend of networks, recruiting capabilities, and passion for the industry, we can be a valuable talent partner. Let’s connect to discuss how we can help build your ultimate “A-team” for this new space age. The sky is not the limit!