Top 10 Military-Friendly Employers for Veterans Targeting Project Management Roles in 2026

For 2026, Military Friendly® ranks employers by revenue category. This list focuses on its Top 10 employers in the $5 billion+ category—but specifically through the lens of a transitioning servicemember pursuing project management. Let's look at where your military project leadership could translate. --- ## 🥇 1. Amentum 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #1 — $5B+ Category If you're targeting project or program management after the military, Amentum should be high on your research list. Its work across defense, engineering, aviation, logistics, nuclear operations, and government programs creates natural crossover opportunities for military professionals accustomed to managing complex missions. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Program Manager - Deputy Program Manager - Technical Project Manager - Operations Project Manager - Integrated Program Manager - Project Controls Manager - Logistics Program Manager ### 🪖 Military Experience That Could Translate Think beyond your military job title. Experience such as: 📋 Leading major exercises 🚀 Managing deployments 💰 Overseeing budgets 📦 Coordinating logistics 🏗️ Managing construction or infrastructure ⚙️ Implementing new systems 👥 Leading cross-functional teams 📊 Tracking readiness and performance can all contain project management experience. 💡 Résumé tip: Don't write: ❌ Responsible for coordinating deployment operations. Instead, translate the project: ✅ Led end-to-end planning and execution of a 9-month operational deployment involving 350 personnel, $18M in equipment, 12 stakeholder organizations, and five geographic locations. Now I understand the project. --- ## 🥈 2. Southern Company 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #2 — $5B+ Category Southern Company is worth researching if your military project management experience intersects with engineering, energy, infrastructure, construction, nuclear operations, technology, or process improvement. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Senior Project Manager - Construction Project Manager - Engineering Project Manager - IT Project Manager - Program Manager - Project Controls Manager - Capital Projects Manager ### 🪖 Military Backgrounds That May Translate Well ⚙️ Engineering ☢️ Nuclear 🏗️ Construction 🔧 Maintenance 💻 IT 📡 Communications 📊 Program Management ⚠️ Safety and Risk 💡 Translation tip: Military project managers frequently undersell risk management. If you identified risks, developed contingencies, allocated resources, tracked milestones, and adjusted execution plans when conditions changed—you were performing functions directly relevant to civilian project management. --- ## 🥉 3. USAA 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #3 — $5B+ Category USAA is particularly interesting for military professionals who want to move from defense-oriented environments into corporate project management. Large financial organizations run enormous portfolios of technology, cybersecurity, operations, compliance, customer experience, and transformation projects. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Program Manager - Technical Project Manager - Transformation Manager - Business Program Manager - Agile Program Manager - Portfolio Manager - Change Management Manager ### 🪖 Military Experience That Could Translate 🔄 Organizational transformation 💻 Technology implementation 🔐 Cybersecurity initiatives 📊 Process improvement 👥 Cross-functional leadership ⚠️ Risk management 📋 Program execution 💡 Important: If you're targeting corporate project management, don't assume your military operational terminology will translate automatically. Your résumé needs civilian PM language: Scope → Deliverables Missions timeline → Project schedule Command relationships → Stakeholders After-action review → Lessons learned Operational risk → Project risk Personnel/equipment → Resources Same experience. Different language. --- ## ✈️ 4. Gulfstream Aerospace 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #4 — $5B+ Category Gulfstream can be a particularly strong target for veterans coming from aviation, maintenance, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, or technical program environments. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Program Manager - Engineering Project Manager - Technical Program Manager - Manufacturing Project Manager - Supply Chain Program Manager - Operations Program Manager ### 🪖 Strong Military Backgrounds ✈️ Aviation 🔧 Maintenance ⚙️ Engineering 📦 Logistics 🚚 Supply Chain 📊 Program Management 🛠️ Quality Assurance 💡 Résumé tip: Don't assume an aviation project needs to become an aviation job. The transferable value may be: 📅 Schedule management 💰 Budget management 👥 Team leadership 🤝 Stakeholder coordination ⚠️ Risk mitigation 📊 KPI management 🔄 Process improvement Those skills travel across industries. --- ## 💻 5. TEKsystems 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #5 — $5B+ Category If your goal is IT project management, cybersecurity project management, digital transformation, or technical program management, TEKsystems deserves attention. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - IT Project Manager - Technical Project Manager - Program Manager - Agile Project Manager - Scrum Master - Implementation Project Manager - Infrastructure Project Manager - Cybersecurity Project Manager ### 🪖 Military Experience That Could Translate 💻 IT modernization 🔐 Cybersecurity 📡 Communications ☁️ Infrastructure 🔄 Systems implementation 📊 Program management 🤝 Vendor coordination 💡 One warning: Having a PMP alone will not make you competitive for technical project management. If you're targeting IT PM roles, employers may also expect evidence that you understand the technology environment. Your certification supports your experience. It doesn't replace it. --- ## 🏢 6. Cushman & Wakefield 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #6 — $5B+ Category Cushman & Wakefield is easy to overlook because veterans may hear "commercial real estate" and assume their experience doesn't fit. That's a mistake. Large real estate organizations manage enormous portfolios involving facilities, construction, workplace transformation, capital projects, vendors, procurement, and operations. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Senior Project Manager - Facilities Project Manager - Construction Project Manager - Capital Project Manager - Program Manager - Workplace Project Manager - Project Management Director ### 🪖 Military Experience That Could Translate 🏗️ Facilities 🔧 Engineering 🏢 Installation management 📋 Contract management 💰 Budget oversight ⚙️ Operations 🚧 Construction 🤝 Vendor management 💡 This is why I tell military clients not to search only by industry. Search by function. You may have never worked in "commercial real estate." But if you've managed facilities, infrastructure, contractors, budgets, schedules, and capital improvements, you've already performed work relevant to the industry. --- ## 📡 7. Comcast NBCUniversal 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #7 — $5B+ Category Comcast NBCUniversal is another company where the obvious consumer brand doesn't tell you much about the careers happening behind the scenes. Its size creates project and program management opportunities across technology, telecommunications, network operations, cybersecurity, product, customer experience, and corporate transformation. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Program Manager - Technical Program Manager - IT Project Manager - Product Program Manager - Implementation Manager - Transformation Program Manager - Operations Program Manager ### 🪖 Relevant Military Experience 📡 Communications 💻 Technology 🔐 Cybersecurity 📊 Program management ⚙️ Operations 🔄 Transformation 👥 Cross-functional leadership 💡 Search tip: Don't search only "Project Manager." Try combinations such as: 🔎 Technical Program Manager 🔎 Implementation Manager 🔎 Transformation Manager 🔎 PMO Manager 🔎 Program Manager 🔎 Business Operations Manager Your best-fit PM opportunity may not have "Project Manager" in the title. --- ## 🚛 8. J.B. Hunt Transport 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #8 — $5B+ Category Military logisticians should pay particular attention to J.B. Hunt. But don't limit yourself to logistics positions. Transportation organizations constantly run projects involving technology implementation, network optimization, process improvement, facilities, fleet operations, customer implementations, and supply chain transformation. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Program Manager - Implementation Project Manager - Operations Project Manager - Supply Chain Project Manager - Continuous Improvement Manager - Transportation Program Manager - Business Transformation Manager ### 🪖 Military Experience That Could Translate 🚚 Transportation 📦 Logistics ⚙️ Operations 📊 Process improvement 💻 Systems implementation 👥 Large-team leadership 📈 Performance improvement 💡 This is where accomplishments matter. Instead of: ❌ Managed transportation operations. Show: ✅ Led a 12-month transportation optimization initiative across six locations, coordinating 75 personnel and $42M in assets while reducing delivery delays 23%. Now you're demonstrating project management. --- ## 🛡️ 9. Parsons 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #9 — $5B+ Category Parsons can be a strong target for project managers with defense, engineering, cybersecurity, intelligence, infrastructure, technical, or cleared backgrounds. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Program Manager - Technical Program Manager - Engineering Project Manager - Cybersecurity Program Manager - Deputy Program Manager - Infrastructure Project Manager - Senior Program Manager ### 🪖 Strong Military Backgrounds 🛡️ Defense 🔐 Cybersecurity 🏗️ Engineering 📡 Communications 🛰️ Space 🧠 Intelligence 📊 Program Management ⚙️ Systems 💡 For clearance holders: Your clearance can make you more marketable for certain programs. But don't build your entire value proposition around: "Active TS/SCI." The stronger positioning is: 🎯 Clearance + leadership + technical expertise + measurable project results. --- ## 🏦 10. Wells Fargo 🏆 2026 Military Friendly® Employer Rank: #10 — $5B+ Category Wells Fargo is another example of why veterans shouldn't assume financial services means becoming a banker. Large financial institutions execute complex projects involving cybersecurity, technology, regulatory compliance, risk, transformation, data, operations, and business continuity. ### 🎯 Project Management Roles to Research - Project Manager - Senior Project Manager - Program Manager - Technical Project Manager - Transformation Manager - Risk Program Manager - Implementation Manager - Business Execution Manager ### 🪖 Military Experience That Could Translate ⚠️ Risk management 🔐 Security 💻 Technology 📊 Program management 🔄 Change management ⚙️ Operations 📋 Compliance 👥 Cross-functional leadership 💡 Don't underestimate regulated industries. Military professionals accustomed to policies, standards, audits, inspections, risk, accountability, and high-consequence environments can bring valuable experience to banking and financial services. --- ## 🎖️ Why Military Experience Translates So Well to Project Management Here's where I see transitioning servicemembers get stuck. They search their military history for the title: "Project Manager." They don't find it. So they assume they don't have project management experience. Wrong question. Instead ask: 🔹 Did you lead something with a defined objective? 🔹 Was there a beginning and an end? 🔹 Did you manage people or resources? 🔹 Did you coordinate stakeholders? 🔹 Did you manage a schedule? 🔹 Did you identify or mitigate risks? 🔹 Did you manage a budget? 🔹 Did you track progress? 🔹 Did you solve problems during execution? 🔹 Did you deliver a measurable outcome? If the answer is yes, start examining that experience as a potential project. --- ## 📊 What Should a Military Project Look Like on Your Résumé? This: ❌ Responsible for planning and coordinating major training exercises. tells me almost nothing. Try: ✅ Led planning and execution of a 10-month training initiative involving 425 personnel across seven organizations, managing a $3.2M budget, 35 major milestones, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and executive stakeholder reporting; completed the program on schedule while achieving 98% qualification readiness. Now I can see: 📅 Timeline 👥 Team size 💰 Budget 🤝 Stakeholders 🎯 Scope ⚠️ Risk 📊 Metrics 🏁 Outcome That's project management language. --- ## 🧠 PMP vs. Military Project Management Experience I get this question constantly: 🎓 "Do I need my PMP?" The PMP can absolutely strengthen your candidacy for many project management roles. But don't make the mistake of thinking: PMP = Project Manager. A certification doesn't erase weak positioning or substitute for relevant experience. Employers still need to understand: 🎯 What projects have you led? 💰 What was their financial scope? 👥 How large were your teams? 📅 How long did they run? 🤝 Who were your stakeholders? ⚠️ What risks did you manage? 📈 What results did you achieve? Your PMP can validate your project management knowledge. Your accomplishments prove you can actually deliver. --- ## 🔎 Don't Search Only for "Project Manager" This is one of the biggest mistakes I see military professionals make. Companies use dozens of titles for project-based leadership. Expand your search to: 🔎 Project Manager 🔎 Senior Project Manager 🔎 Program Manager 🔎 Technical Project Manager 🔎 Technical Program Manager 🔎 Implementation Manager 🔎 Transformation Manager 🔎 Project Controls Manager 🔎 PMO Manager 🔎 Business Execution Manager 🔎 Continuous Improvement Manager 🔎 Change Manager 🔎 Operations Program Manager The right role may be hiding behind a title you haven't considered. --- ## 🚀 How to Target These Companies Don't open all ten career pages and start applying. Start with three companies. Then: ### 🎯 Step 1: Find 10 relevant PM jobs Don't apply yet. Study them. ### 🔎 Step 2: Identify recurring requirements Create a list of: 📋 Project methodologies 💻 Software 🎓 Certifications 💰 Budget expectations 👥 Leadership scope 🤝 Stakeholder requirements 🏭 Industry knowledge ### 🧩 Step 3: Map your military projects Identify 5–8 projects from your military career that demonstrate those requirements. ### 📊 Step 4: Quantify them For every project, determine: 💰 Budget 👥 Personnel 📅 Timeline 📦 Resources/assets 🤝 Stakeholders 🌎 Geographic scope 📈 Results ### 📄 Step 5: Build your résumé around projects—not duties Your résumé shouldn't read like a military job description. It should demonstrate a history of delivering outcomes. ### 🤝 Step 6: Find project managers at the company Use LinkedIn to identify: Veteran Project Managers Senior Project Managers Program Managers PMO Leaders Hiring Managers Ask them about the organization, projects, terminology, and hiring process. --- ## ❓ Military-to-Project Management FAQ ### 🎖️ Can military experience count as project management experience? Yes, military assignments can include substantial project management experience even when your official title wasn't Project Manager. The key is demonstrating that you led defined initiatives involving scope, timelines, resources, stakeholders, risks, and measurable outcomes. ### 🎓 Is PMP worth it for transitioning military members? It can be highly valuable when the positions you're targeting request or prefer PMP certification. Don't pursue it simply because you're leaving the military. Review your target positions first and determine whether employers consistently value it. ### 📋 What military jobs translate to project management? Project management experience can come from operations, logistics, engineering, IT, communications, acquisitions, maintenance, training, intelligence, construction, healthcare, aviation, and many other military functions. Your responsibilities matter more than your MOS, AFSC, rating, or military job title. ### 💰 Can veterans earn six figures in project management? Yes. Experienced project and program managers can earn six-figure compensation, particularly in technology, defense, engineering, energy, financial services, consulting, cybersecurity, and other complex industries. But military rank doesn't automatically determine civilian compensation. Your industry, location, project scope, technical expertise, certifications, leadership experience, and market demand all matter. ### 🔎 Should I apply for Project Manager or Program Manager? Don't choose based on which title sounds more senior. Study the actual job descriptions. Generally, projects have defined objectives and deliverables, while programs coordinate multiple related projects or initiatives toward broader organizational outcomes. Senior military leaders may have program-level experience without realizing it. ### 📄 Should I put "Project Manager" as my military job title? Only if it accurately represents the function you performed. Another option is to pair the military title with an accurate civilian functional equivalent. Your goal is clarity—not manufacturing a title you never earned. --- ## 👤 About the Author Cassie Hatcher is the CEO of Career Confidence LLC, a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and Certified Veteran Career Strategist (CVCS). She specializes in translating military leadership experience into accomplishment-focused civilian résumés and positioning servicemembers for competitive civilian careers, including project and program management roles. Cassie has worked with more than 2,400 clients navigating military-to-civilian career transitions.