![Northern Strike, a defense exercise at Camp Grayling in Michigan.](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Northern-Strike_Defense-scaled.jpg)
Defense & Aerospace
The Future of Defense & Aerospace is in Michigan
During World War II, Detroit was dubbed the “Arsenal of Democracy,” providing the weapons and vehicles necessary for victory. Today, the defense and aerospace industry in Michigan provides a wide array of career opportunities with more than 4,000 companies and organizations involved in development and manufacturing, cyber technology, artificial intelligence, and producing advanced materials the industry relies on.
The southeast region of the state is home to companies including AM General, GM Defense, Kalitta Air and SkySpecs, and in West Michigan you’ll find General Dynamics, GE Aviation and Precision Aerospace to name a few. Travel north and you’ll find high-tech startups including Obrion Space Technology, who is changing the game in space tech for generations to come.
All this to say, Michigan’s history in defense and aerospace runs deep. Whether you’re interested in working on military aircraft, satellites, helicopters, missiles, or excited about the potential of developing new emerging technologies, you can in Michigan.
Quick Links
- Western Michigan College of Aviation
- Lift
- University Research Corridor
- Selfridge National Guard Base
- U.S. Army Garrison Detroit Arsenal
- Women of Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan
- University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering
- Michigan State University: Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research
- Michigan Technological University: Aerospace Engineering Research Center
![Workers repair an aircraft at Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek, Michigan](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Duncan-Aviation-565x377.jpg)
In Demand Careers in Defense & Aerospace
The aerospace and defense industry in Michigan provides a wide array of career opportunities. Use the Michigan Career Portal to find open positions today.
Michigan Powers America’s Defense Industry
Working in Michigan’s Defense and related industries is an opportunity for you to connect to the next generation of vehicle innovation and cybersecurity leaders, as well as leverage world-class research and technology assets.
By the Numbers
Aerospace and defense-related companies in Michigan, located in every county across the state
Ranking for Michigan's aerospace manufacturing attractiveness, based on tax climate, operating costs, education, and industry representation
Nationally ranked undergraduate aerospace engineering program in the country
The University of MichiganFeatured Employers
BAE Systems
Locations in: Sterling HeightsGeneral Dynamics
Locations in: Sterling HeightsL3 Harris
Locations in: Grand Rapids![AM General logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/AMG-logo-565x188.png)
AM General
Locations in: Auburn Hills, Grand Rapids, Muskegon![Orbion Space Technology logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/orbion-logo-1-565x134.png)
Orbion Space Technology
Locations in: Houghton![OshKosh Defense logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/osh_defense_fy15_logo_grey_lowres-1.png)
OshKosh Defense
Locations in: Warren![RTX logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/RTX_Logo_Black_RGB-1686752872698-565x216.webp)
RTX
Locations in: Holt, Lansing![SkySpecs logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/skyspecs_logo_fb-565x565.jpg)
SkySpecs
Locations in: Ann Arbor![Dow Inc. logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/dow-logo-565x294.png)
Dow Inc.
Locations in: Midland![SKF logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/SKF-logo-565x318.jpg)
SKF
Locations in: Dexter, Plymouth Township![Barnes Aerospace logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/barnes-aerospace-logo-565x157.jpg)
Barnes Aerospace
Locations in: Lansing, Warren![Emergent Biosolutions logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Emergent_BioSolutions_logo-565x69.png)
Emergent Biosolutions
Locations in: Lansing![GE Aviation logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/GE_Aviation_logo-565x157.png)
GE Aviation
Locations in: Grand Rapids, Muskegon![GM Defense logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/GM-defense.png)
GM Defense
Locations in: Detroit, Ferndale, Livonia, Plymouth, Warren![KUKA Robotics logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/KUKA-logo-565x96.png)
KUKA Robotics
Locations in: Detroit, Shelby Township, Sterling Heights![Chardam Gear Company logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/chardam-logo.png)
Chardam Gear Company
Locations in: Sterling Heights![Eaton Aerospace Group logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/eaton-logo-565x154.png)
Eaton Aerospace Group
Locations in: Grand Rapids, Jackson, Southfield![Kalitta Air logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Kalitta-Air-565x95.png)
Kalitta Air
Locations in: Ypsilanti![Barron Industries logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Barron-logo.png)
Barron Industries
Locations in: Oxford![Array of Engineers logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Array-of-Engineers-logo.jpg)
Array of Engineers
Locations in: Grand Rapids![Raytheon logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Technologies_logo-565x169.png)
Raytheon
Locations in: Holt, Lansing, Macomb, Troy![Triumph Group logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Triumph-Group-logo.png)
Triumph Group
Locations in: Macomb![Rave Computers logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/RAVE-computer-logo-565x246.png)
Rave Computers
Locations in: Sterling Heights![Precision Castparts Corporation logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/precision-castparts-565x314.png)
Precision Castparts Corporation
Locations in: Canton, Muskegon, Oxford![Parker Hannifin logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Parker-logo-565x217.png)
Parker Hannifin
Locations in: Auburn Hills, Kalamazoo, Livonia![Moeller Aerospace logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/moeller_aerospace_final_horizontal-565x107.png)
Moeller Aerospace
Locations in: Grand Rapids![BMT Aerospace logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/BMT-aerospace-logo-565x283.jpg)
BMT Aerospace
Locations in: Fraser![Precision Aerospace logo](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/precision-aerospace-logo.jpg)
Precision Aerospace
Locations in: Grand RapidsWhat Michiganers Are Saying
“All of the manufacturing infrastructure, the technical know-how is right here in the state. We just need to map this on this new class of vehicles, which don’t drive on the surface of the earth, they fly around above it.”
Dive Deeper
Learn more about Michigan's Defense & Aerospace careers
- Dynamic Defense
- Michigan's Veterans
- Shooting for the Stars
Women Defining their Path in Michigan’s Defense Industry
Cemone Moy shifted her career trajectory from commercial airlines to defense vehicle manufacturing and is proud to be a part of Michigan’s Defense Corridor. As manager of international sustainment programs for General Dynamics Land Systems, Cemone helps create a workplace environment that educates and empowers.
![woman standing next to tank](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Voices_Cemone1_750x500-565x377.jpg)
Support for veterans and their families
Michigan is home to over 400,000 former military personnel, having served in all branches of the U.S. military. Michigan provides extensive resources, support and services to these individuals through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and Michigan’s Veterans Employment Services. These services include access to apprenticeship programs, funding opportunities for training and development, assistance with relocation for civilian employment and more. Michigan also has more than 400 Veteran Friendly Employers committed to veteran recruitment, training and retention across the state.
![](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/Great-Lakes-Sound-Vibration_186-1-565x377.jpg)
Committed to the next generation
Michigan is a member of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, which is a national network of colleges of universities working to expand opportunities for education, research and outreach for aeronautics and space programs. Twelve colleges and universities in the state are part of Michigan’s network. To further development the skills and resources needed by the next generation of career professionals for the aerospace and defense industries, Michigan offers a wide variety of innovative and interactive STEM programs for students in K-12th grades, including, Wayne State University: Summer Aviation Career Education Academy, Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, and Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair Community College.
![](https://themichiganlife.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC01646_MSP_Cyber-Security_KG-565x377.jpg)
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