Mission Critical: Defense Recruiting

The Defense Innovation Gap: Why Breakthroughs Fail to Scale | Duke Hartman

Billions are spent on defense technology every year. A surprising amount of it never makes it into real-world use. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense and Aerospace Recruiting, Katherine Jerald sits down with Duke Hartman, CEO at Integer Technologies, to unpack one of the most misunderstood problems in the industry: why great technology so often fails to get deployed. Duke shares how the gap between innovation and implementation isn't about capability. It's about integration, incentives, and understanding the realities of how defense systems are actually used in the field. From procurement cycles to program risk, he explains why even highly advanced solutions can stall before they ever reach the warfighter, and what needs to change for innovation to translate into real operational impact. "If it doesn't fit into how the mission already works, it doesn't matter how good the tech is." This conversation goes beyond the surface level challenges of defense innovation to explore the structural reasons behind slow adoption and why the companies that succeed are the ones that design for reality, not just possibility. Inside this episode: – Why so much defense technology never makes it past evaluation or pilot phases – The real gap between building great tech and getting it deployed – How procurement structures and incentives shape what actually gets used – Why integration matters more than innovation in defense systems – The hidden risks that stop programs from adopting new technology – What startups misunderstand about working with the Department of Defense – How to design technology that fits existing missions rather than disrupting them – Why speed alone is not enough to win in defense If you work in defense technology, aerospace, or government contracting, this episode offers a clear look at why deployment, not invention, is the real challenge and what it takes to close that gap. Connect with Duke Hartman:linkedin.com/in/will-edwards [https://www.linkedin.com/in/duke-hartman-p-e-0273628/] Learn more about Integer Tech: https://www.integer-tech.com/ Connect with Katherine Jerald: http://www.elraysearch.com [http://www.elraysearch.com] Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com [http://www.podlad.com]

The Defense Startup Rebuilding America's Missile Supply Chain | Will Edwards

Everyone talks about missiles. Almost no one talks about the bottleneck that decides whether they actually get built. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense and Aerospace Recruiting, Katherine Jerald sits down with Will Edwards, CEO and co-founder of Firehawk Aerospace, to discuss the overlooked weakness inside the defense industrial base: rocket propulsion manufacturing. Firehawk Aerospace is approaching that challenge from a completely different direction. By developing 3D printed rocket propellant, the company is working to reduce production timelines from months to hours while dramatically increasing manufacturing flexibility and scale. Will shares how an outsider perspective led him to question long standing assumptions in propulsion manufacturing and why solving "unsexy" problems like base bleed motors and rocket propellant could unlock billions in defense production capacity. "Everyone wants to build the flashy systems. But fortunes are made in components." Inside this episode:– Why rocket propulsion has become one of the most fragile bottlenecks in the U.S. defense supply chain – How Firehawk's 3D printed propellant reduces production timelines from months to hours – Why solving "unsexy" component problems can unlock billions in defense capacity – The hidden challenge of scaling missile production in the defense industrial base – How startups can collaborate with primes without slowing innovation – Why past performance and facilities create a difficult barrier for new defense companies – How base bleed propulsion systems extend artillery range and why they are so difficult to manufacture – Why Firehawk is building the first U.S. facility dedicated to 3D printed rocket propellant If you work in defense manufacturing, aerospace, or national security technology, this episode offers a look at how new startups are helping rebuild the industrial capacity needed to support modern conflict. Connect with Will Edwards:linkedin.com/in/will-edwards Learn more about Firehawk: https://firehawkaerospace.com/ Connect with Katherine Jerald: http://www.elraysearch.com [http://www.elraysearch.com] Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com [http://www.podlad.com]

DevSecOps in Practice Across Defense and National Security | Yolanda Clarke

DevSecOps is talked about constantly in defense and national security. Very few leaders actually have to make it work in real mission environments. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense and Aerospace Recruiting, Katherine Jerald sits down with Yolanda Clarke, Founder and CEO of Powder River Industries, to break down what DevSecOps looks like when failure is not an option. Yolanda explains how DevSecOps must be designed into programs from day one, not bolted on at the end, and why treating security as a core design requirement is the only way to deliver speed without compromising trust, accreditation, or mission outcomes. Drawing on more than 20 years of military service and deep experience across defense programs, she shares how real DevSecOps depends as much on organizational structure and leadership accountability as it does on tools and pipelines. "If security is siloed, you're not doing DevSecOps." This conversation goes beyond theory to explore how DevSecOps operates in practice across defense and national security programs, how leaders should evaluate whether it's real or just PowerPoint, and what it takes to scale secure systems in environments where the consequences are real. Inside this episode: – What DevSecOps actually means in defense and national security programs – Why security must be integrated at the start of system design – How DevSecOps reduces schedule risk, rework, and failed ATOs – The fastest way to tell if an organization is really doing DevSecOps – How team structure and accountability determine DevSecOps success – Lessons from military leadership that translate directly into secure system delivery – What leaders should ask when outsourcing DevSecOps support – How Powder River Industries scales DevSecOps without breaking mission trust If you work in defense technology, national security, or government IT, this episode offers a practical, experience-driven look at how DevSecOps works when it has to deliver for real missions, real customers, and real consequences. Connect with Yolanda Clarke:https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolandaclarke/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yolandaclarke/] https://www.powderriverindustries.com/ [https://www.powderriverindustries.com/] Connect with Katherine Jerald: http://www.elraysearch.com [http://www.elraysearch.com] Produced in partnership with http://www.podlad.com [http://www.podlad.com]

How Direct-to-Device Satellites Are Changing Military Communications | Tim Hillner

What if military satellite communications worked on standard cell phones? Not as a future concept, but today. In this episode of Mission Critical: Defense and Aerospace Recruiting, Katherine Jerald is joined by Tim Hillner, co-founder of Fairwinds Technologies, to unpack a breakthrough that is redefining tactical communications. Tim and his team recently demonstrated the world's first tactical direct-to-device satellite connectivity using standard, unmodified commercial cell phones with no custom hardware required. Working alongside AST SpaceMobile, Fairwinds validated secure voice, data, and mission applications over a non-terrestrial network, marking a significant shift in how military communications can be deployed at scale. Tim brings a rare perspective shaped by senior government engineering roles, startup leadership, and years spent operating in contested communications environments. "You need to understand the intent of the requirement, not just what's written on paper." – Tim Hillner This conversation is not just about satellites. It is about alignment between government and industry, leadership under pressure, and how trust and technical rigor turn ambitious ideas into operational capability. Inside this episode:– What direct-to-device satellite connectivity actually means for military operations – How Fairwinds and AST SpaceMobile achieved tactical NTN using standard cell phones – Why physics, not software alone, unlocked this capability – Lessons from Tim's time as an Army RF and satellite engineer – Why written requirements often fail and how to fix them early – How listening and alignment shape high-performing technical teams – The role of AI and adaptive networks in future C5, ISR, and EW systems – The hardest leadership lesson Tim learned as a founder under real pressure If you work in defense communications, aerospace, or mission-critical technology, this episode offers a grounded look at how direct-to-device satellites are already changing the way the military connects, operates, and adapts. Connect or learn more about Tim:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyhillner/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyhillner/] www.fairwinds-tech.com [https://www.fairwinds-tech.com/] Connect with Katherine Jerald: http://www.elraysearch.com [http://www.elraysearch.com] Mission Critical is produced in partnership with https://www.podlad.com [https://www.podlad.com]

CEO Reveals Why Small Engineering Firms Are the Future of Space | Janet Grondin

Small engineering firms are not just competing with the primes… they may be the future of national security space. Janet Grondin, CEO of Stellar Solutions, joins Mission Critical to explain why small systems engineering companies are positioned to solve the hardest problems in the space ecosystem, and why culture has become a strategic advantage. With more than 27 years of leadership across the Air Force, Space Force and Northrop, Janet has seen every side of the industry. At Stellar, she leads a company built on a culture of empowerment that removes bureaucracy and lets engineers solve mission critical problems at speed. From helping stand up Space Systems Command International Affairs to supporting early stage space companies through Stellar Ventures, Janet offers a rare view into how innovation truly moves inside national security space. If you work in defense, space, engineering or government acquisition, this conversation offers a clear eyed look at how the ecosystem is changing. Whether you are a program manager, recruiter, founder or policy leader, Janet's insights reveal the realities shaping the next decade of space capability. You will learn: • Why small engineering firms often outperform the primes • How culture becomes a competitive advantage in national security space • Why SDA's integration challenges need small, nimble strike teams • The biggest blockers facing early stage space companies selling to government • What the next generation of Space Force talent must bring to the mission • How Stellar Ventures connects breakthrough technologies to real government needs Connect with Janet:https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetgrondin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetgrondin/]https://stellarsolutions.com/ [https://stellarsolutions.com/] Connect with Katherine Jerald:http://www.elraysearch.com [http://www.elraysearch.com]