What are the top resume keywords for the Aerospace & Defense industry?

Key Aerospace & Defense resume keywords include systems engineering, avionics, propulsion, DoD, DARPA, FAR/DFARS. These are the terms ATS systems in this industry scan for most frequently.

Which ATS systems are most common in Aerospace & Defense?

The most commonly used ATS platforms in Aerospace & Defense are Workday, Taleo, Icims, Brassring.

What resume format works best for Aerospace & Defense jobs?

Place security clearance level at the top of your resume immediately after contact information Avoid disclosing classified program names; use general descriptions of scope and impact

ATS Resume Guide for the Aerospace & Defense Industry

Industry Guide · Updated 2025-03-15

Key Takeaway

Aerospace & Defense employers commonly use Workday, Taleo, Icims for hiring. Focus on engineering disciplines and defense programs keywords to pass their ATS filters.

The aerospace and defense industry runs ATS screening through some of the most security-conscious hiring pipelines in the labor market. Clearance requirements, ITAR restrictions, and specialized engineering terminology create a uniquely demanding keyword environment. Many positions require U.S. citizenship and active security clearances, which must appear prominently on resumes. This guide covers the keyword clusters, compliance language, and ATS behaviors specific to aerospace and defense hiring. New to ATS optimization? Start with our Ultimate ATS Guide.

Industry Keyword Clusters

ATS systems screening resumes for Aerospace & Defense roles focus on these keyword categories:

Engineering Disciplines

systems engineering avionics propulsion structural analysis aerodynamics flight controls GNC thermal analysis FEA CFD

Defense Programs

DoD DARPA FAR/DFARS MIL-STD program management systems integration V&V requirements management MBSE DOORS

Manufacturing & Quality

AS9100 NADCAP first article inspection root cause analysis configuration management lean manufacturing Six Sigma NDE/NDT

Software & Electronics

embedded systems DO-178C DO-254 RTOS FPGA radar EW signal processing ARINC 429 MIL-STD-1553

Compliance and Regulatory Keywords

These compliance-specific terms are often hard requirements in Aerospace & Defense job postings:

security clearance Secret Top Secret TS/SCI ITAR EAR NIST 800-171 CMMC CUI SAP/SAR

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Hiring Trends Affecting ATS Screening

Hypersonics, directed energy, and space-domain programs are driving new hiring demand
CMMC 2.0 compliance is creating cybersecurity roles across all defense contractors
Digital engineering and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) skills are increasingly required
Supply chain resilience concerns have increased demand for program managers and procurement specialists
Workforce aging creates strong demand for mid-career engineers willing to obtain clearances

Resume Formatting Tips for Aerospace & Defense

Place security clearance level at the top of your resume immediately after contact information
Avoid disclosing classified program names; use general descriptions of scope and impact
List both full names and acronyms for military standards on first mention
Keep formatting conservative with single-column layout for legacy ATS compatibility
Include citizenship status if required by the position or ITAR regulations

Top Roles in Aerospace & Defense

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