HX5 occupies an unusual position in the defense contracting world. The company is service-disabled veteran and women-owned, and Margarita Howard serves as its sole owner, CEO, and president. Headquartered in Florida, it operates across 34 states and 90 government locations with more than 1,000 employees.

Its work centers on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics support services for NASA and the Department of Defense. The company celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. Those programs require staff who can meet strict security standards.

Leadership With Advanced Credentials

Women hold most of the top roles. “In fact, the majority of our management team is comprised of women, all very experienced in their respective areas, and many holding advanced degrees as well,” Margarita Howard said.

Education runs deep across the broader staff, too. Howard noted that most HX5 employees hold college degrees, which reflects the technical demands of supporting federal space and defense programs.

Recruiting the Next Generation

The company now faces a hiring question shared across the industry: how to attract Gen Z. Johns Hopkins University research projects that this group, born between 1997 and 2012, will form about 30% of the workforce by 2030. Howard’s response has been measured. “We’re excited about Gen Z, and certainly we’ve tried to adapt as much as we can to their needs and what we’re seeing as their wants,” she said.

Those adaptations include hybrid work where security permits, along with instant messaging and interactive project management tools. Even so, HX5 favors applicants who have previously supported NASA or the Department of Defense, since that experience differs from commercial work.

Technology is part of the appeal as well. HX5 now applies AI to proposal development and audit paperwork, an area Howard prioritized early alongside cybersecurity.

Margarita Howard tells recruits that enthusiasm for the mission is essential, whether the goal is reaching the moon or completing an assignment overseas. That message appears to resonate, since some employees have stayed with the company for 15 years. Refer to this page, for related information.

Learn more about Margarita Howard on https://about.me/margaritahoward