In the entire EU, the arms sector employs over a million people directly, and indirectly – almost five million. In Poland, according to the data of the Industrial Development Agency, it is already over 50,000. people, and if you add subcontractors and related sectors – up to 100,000 They are engineers, technicians, project managers, specialists in logistics, cyber security or finance. Such a wide spectrum of competition means that the demand for talents is constantly growing.
A large part of new jobs are created as part of the largest modernization programs. The Polish Armaments Group is recruiting today for nearly 200 positions. PZL Mielec, a producer of helicopters Black Hawk, adopted over 300 people in 2024, and planned another hundred on 2025. Huta Stalowa Wola and Zakłady Mechaniczne “Tarnów” or Shipyard War also recruit.
In addition to the largest producers, the main contracting authority – Armaments Agency, Armed Forces Support Inspectorate, Military Economic Branches and military units also play an important role in shaping the labor market. They define the demand for equipment, and thus for specific competences in industry.
World players are also present on the Polish market, e.g. Bae Systems, General Dynamics, Hyundai Rot, Hanwha Defense, Lockheed Martin, Kongsberg Defense, and MBDA. Next to them are providers of civil technologies as well as universities and research centers, educating staff for the industry.
New professional roles in the arms sector
New technologies and intensive development of research and development departments become the foundation of the competitive sector's advantage. The demand for highly qualified specialists in such diverse areas as material engineering, precision mechanics, used electronics, aviation structures, design of armament systems, data engineering, artificial intelligence and machine learning, avionics, cyber security or 3D design.
TOP 5 sought after professions in the Polish arms sector:
Specialist engineers – among others Electronics, avionics, optoelectronics, automation, robotics, integration of weapon systems.
Production workers – Mechanics, welders, CNC machine operators.
IT experts and cybersecurity – Programmers of Pokosomiom and Embedded.
Project managers -in large modernization and research and development programs.
Specialists for logistics and supply chains – With experience in industries with high high -quality and terms.
HR deficits and competition with other sectors
However, there are many challenges. Talent deficiencies and competence gaps remain one of the key problems, especially in the area of new technologies, as well as in the field of specialized production skills, including mechanics, CNC machine operators or welders.
The situation is deepened by an aging staff. About a quarter of engineers and employees of research and development departments are approaching retirement age. According to forecasts, until 2030, Europe may miss from 100,000. up to 150 thousand engineers.
At the same time, the industry is struggling with sharp competition in the fight for specialists, especially in IT and automotive sectors that offer higher salaries and are considered more attractive jobs. The rigorous procedures for obtaining security certificates are also a barrier to many candidates.
High rotation and image problems
The maintenance of employees is another challenge. Studies show that even a third of young defense industry employees in Europe are considering changing work in the coming months. This is due to, among others from the negative image of this sector, too low wages, limited career development opportunities, lack of balance between work and private life and unattractive organizational culture. The situation is also affected by the strong dependence of the sector on political decisions and one main client – the Ministry of Defense.
Despite these barriers, the Polish labor market in the arms industry maintains significant potential, based on strong technical traditions, competitive work costs and the growing support of government vocational education programs.
Importantly, the sector has stable social support. According to IBRIS, more than half of Poles accept an increase in defense expenditure even at the expense of social programs, and 42.8 percent. declares his readiness to allocate his own funds to defend the country.
The defense industry invests in employee development
One of the ways to alleviate staff shortages is the recruitment of veterans of the armed forces. Experience in working in an increased safety environment, stress ability and knowledge of the specifics of military equipment make them valuable employees in technical, training and logistics areas.
Companies are also increasingly reaching for UPSKILLING and RESKILLING programs to improve the qualifications of current employees or prepare people from other industries to work in the defense sector. Academies for young talents, co-financed as part of public-private partnerships, which offer practical training, mentoring and clearly marked career paths are becoming popular.
A good example of an effective adaptation is the Hyundai ROTEM Europe, which, when implementing the K2PL tank production program in Poland, not only invests in the transfer of technology, but also conducts intensive training for Polish engineers and project managers, supporting their integration with Korean business culture.
New era of recruitment
Recruitment in the industry often takes place in the stages: in the first place the demand for B2G sales specialists and relations with public administration, later – for project leaders and business managers, and then for highly specialized engineers. At the same time, experienced production workers and process engineers who are able to implement and optimize new technologies are sought after.
Companies from the arms sector focus on modernizing recruitment processes. Scaling HR teams and the use of the support of external partners may be crucial in situations requiring rapid increase in employment or acquiring niche competences. Tasting recruitment processes, the use of AI and building a strong employer brand opens the door for new candidates in the HR area.
The Polish arms sector attracts investors
Poland attracts investors thanks to wide access to qualified staff from related industries – air, automotive or machine – and competitive labor costs, which is confirmed by Eurostat data. The advantage is also support in the form of government vocational education programs and the growing number of young, ambitious employees ready to gain new competences.
Randstad experts emphasize that the future of the Polish labor market in the arms sector depends on the ability to attract and maintain talents. Investments in training, public-private partnerships and recruitment of veterans of the armed forces can help. If the current pace of investment and technology transfer is maintained, Poland has a chance to become one of the most important arms markets in Europe by 2035 – with a strong production base, developed ecosystem of competences and growing meaning in the export of armament.
– Enterprises from the arms sector are currently facing numerous challenges, and people are one of the key. The ability to attract the best talents and build qualified, capable of working in a dynamic and innovative team environment will be a key factor for maintaining a long -term market advantage, but also the safety of our borders – sums up Michał Wereszko, Senior Engineering Consultant in Randstad.
– The industry already needs specialists with unique competences, including both engineers and technicians, as well as experts in the field of project or process management. Lack of appropriate staff competences can slow down the implementation of key modernization programs and technology transfer, which in the long term will affect competitiveness – he adds.
