Systems Engineering & Architecture
Systems Engineer · Systems Architect · MBSE Engineer · Safety Engineer · V&V Engineer
Research | Aerospace, Defence & Security
Capability Conversion
Meeting Defence’s Next Mission
UK defence investment is accelerating faster than the traditional pipeline can absorb it. As your Mission Critical Talent Partner, Carbon60 helps you see which capability can be mobilised now, which needs building over time, and where MSP delivery and outcome-based teams can close the rest of the gap.
Based on Carbon60’s research with 300+ technology and engineering professionals, this report explores how to turn workforce potential into deployable operational capacity - and puts a number on how much of that capability already sits outside the sector, ready to convert.
78%of professionals are actively exploring a change of industry
49%of those exploring a move would consider Aerospace, Defence & Security
8.42/10average attractiveness score for the Aerospace, Defence & Security sector
How We Deliver
Three routes to close your capability gap:
1. Convert adjacent talent
We identify specialist skill verticals with relevant expertise beyond A&DS, and manage the assessment, training and clearance route to deployment.
2. Build specialist pipelines
We develop longer-term capabilities through apprenticeships, academies and education partnerships, run as one workforce strategy.
3. Deliver through MSP & outcomes
Where headcount isn’t the answer, we provide access to capability through Managed Service Delivery, Statement of Work and multidisciplinary teams.
Inside The Report
What you’ll find when you download it:
1
A capability matrix mapping our specialist skill verticals against the adjacent sectors most likely to convert.
2
Data on where transferable capability sits across the UK economy, and what stands in the way of deploying it.
3
A framework for choosing between converting talent, building pipelines and delivering through MSP or outcome-based teams.
4
Six practical actions for turning available skills into deployed, mission ready capacity.
Specialist Skill Verticals
Seven skill verticals. One MSP delivery model.
Employer demand spans sub-sector verticals - from AI, Autonomy & Emerging Technology to Government, Research & Strategic Capability. Carbon60 connects that demand to specialist supply across seven skill verticals, resourced, cleared and managed through a single MSP delivery model.
Digital & Software Engineering
Software Engineer · Firmware Engineer · Avionics Software
Control Systems & Electronics
Controls Engineer · FPGA Engineer · Robotics Engineer · Electronics Design
Data & AI Engineering
Data Engineer · ML/AI Engineer · Data Scientist · MLOps Engineer
Mechanical & Electrical Design
Modelling Engineer · Simulation Engineer · Mechanical & Electrical Design
Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering
Quality Engineer · NDT Engineer · Process Engineer · Manufacturing Engineer
Project & Programme Controls
Project/Programme Manager · Risk Manager · PMO Analyst · Cost Engineer
Report Snapshot
Stop searching only where defence has always searched.
The strongest short-term opportunity lies in sectors with relevant technical, operational or regulated-environment experience. The question isn’t whether someone has worked in defence - it’s how readily their capability converts, and how quickly we can deploy it through MSP delivery.
80% of transferable talent has never worked in Aerospace, Defence & Security
83% has considered changing industries
10+ crucial data from the report that are worth knowing before it’s late
Systems
Software, AI & Autonomy
Cyber
Advanced Manufacturing
Nuclear & Submarine
Maintenance & Assets
Software and Digital
IT Services
Telecoms
Automotive and EV
Advanced Manufacturing
Energy and Nuclear
Rail and Transport
Financial Services
Strong Moderate and Limited indicate relative proximity, not readiness.
Role assessment, training, certification and security clearance still apply.
Get Your Full Copy Of The Report
Explore how to secure the capability your programmes need - now, and for the future.
Complete the form to download, and see how Carbon60 delivers as your MSP and Mission Critical Talent Partner.
About Carbon60
Carbon60, powered by Vertage, is the UK’s largest digital and engineering workforce provider, with more than 35 years of experience delivering mission critical talent, MSP delivery and specialist recruitment across Defence, Security and Government. We manage a talent database of 200,000 mission critical specialists, including 1,500 DV/SC cleared consultants currently deployed on defence contracts, backed by a vetted network of 1,200+ delivery partners.
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