Since the onset of the conflict in Gaza and in response to Israel’s robust defense against Iran’s munitions, security firms in the nation have experienced a sharp uptick in interest from technology professionals eager to join their ranks. Many of these candidates hail from prominent tech companies and are motivated by a desire to contribute to the defense efforts. Others are attracted by the stability offered by the security sector, while some are intrigued by the advanced technology utilized in these companies. When faced with the choice between financial incentives and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, an increasing number of engineers and programmers are prioritizing the latter.
For instance, a software engineer and project manager specializing in air defense at Rafael Advanced defense Systems, who wishes to remain anonymous, departed the company in 2022 to join Intel. However, in March, he chose to return to Rafael.
“I’ve been involved in every military operation,” he shares. “I served as an officer in the Air Force’s elite unit for 9 years and then spent 24 years at Rafael. On October 8, I reached out to my former managers at Rafael and offered my assistance. I knew it was a long shot, but I felt compelled to participate. While I enjoyed my time at Intel—learning new things, contributing significantly, being valued, and earning a good income—I couldn’t shake the feeling of being disconnected from the war.”
“In March, I received an offer to return and lead the project I’m currently involved in,” he continues. “With my son serving as a soldier in an elite unit in Gaza, knowing that the system I’d be working on protects him, I couldn’t refuse.”
Since the onset of the war, Israeli security companies have observed a surge in candidate referrals and receptiveness to recruitment approaches. Rafael reports a 40% spike in initial inquiries, while the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), actively seeking engineers, witnessed a staggering 200% surge in submitted resumes, receiving thousands monthly. Similarly, Elbit Systems noted an uptick in inquiries and a notable 30% reduction in time-to-fill positions.
“We’ve seen employees return from startups seeking meaningful work, and this trend persists,” states Dr. Shelly Gordon, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Elbit Systems. “Elbit recruits extensively across various roles, and we’ve noticed a significant increase in self-initiated inquiries from candidates. There’s a growing interest and willingness to contribute to something meaningful.”
“I think there are two main reasons for this: the first is that the war has revealed very innovative technologies in a significant way. And the second reason is the desire to do something meaningful.”
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