Recruitment for the defence industry
Find the specialists and leaders your defence business depends on
The defence industry demands people who understand complex, regulated and security-critical environments. We help suppliers, subcontractors and technology companies recruit the leaders and specialists needed to deliver with confidence.
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Specialised search
Recruitment where precision, trust and compliance matter
Recruiting for the defence industry requires more than identifying candidates with the right technical skills. It calls for a deep understanding of security, confidentiality, documentation requirements, long decision-making processes and complex stakeholder landscapes.
At Compass Human Resources Group, we help companies that supply directly or indirectly to the defence sector attract and assess candidates who match the role, the organisation and the specific requirements of defence-related environments.
This includes leaders, specialists, engineers, project managers, commercial profiles and candidates with experience from regulated industries where quality, compliance and accountability are part of everyday business.
Learn more about our recruitment process and our Executive Search process.
Patrick Lyon Veirum
Consultant & Practice lead, Defence
Suppliers to the defence sector
We help companies across the defence value chain find the right people
The defence industry is not limited to traditional defence companies. Many organisations play a vital role as suppliers, subcontractors, advisors, technology partners or solution providers in larger defence and emergency preparedness projects.
We support companies across technology, production, electronics, software, cyber security, construction, infrastructure, logistics, consulting and technical services.
What they often have in common is a limited candidate market, where the right profiles are rarely actively looking for a new role. That calls for a targeted search process, strong market insight and the ability to open meaningful conversations with candidates who need to understand both the role, the company and the wider purpose of the sector.
Critical competencies
Relevant experience is often found outside the defence industry
As demand for technical and commercial profiles continues to grow, the strongest candidates may not come from the defence industry itself.
They are often found in adjacent sectors such as energy, infrastructure, medtech, pharma, industrial production, IT, cyber security, consulting and other regulated B2B environments — bringing experience with quality, documentation, compliance, complex projects and technical sales.
We help identify which competencies are essential, which experience can be transferred, and which candidates are likely to thrive in the structure, expectations and responsibility that define defence-related work.
Confidentiality and security
A recruitment process built on discretion from start to finish
In defence-related recruitment, confidentiality shapes every stage of the process — from the first client dialogue to candidate outreach, assessment and onboarding.
We design the process around the level of discretion, documentation and security awareness required for the role, while making sure candidates understand the expectations, responsibilities and context early on.
This creates a more qualified decision-making process for both parties and helps reduce the risk of mismatches in roles where trust and accountability are critical.
Nordic recruitment
A Nordic search setup for an international defence market
Defence-related companies often operate across borders, supply chains and regulatory environments. Finding the right leaders and specialists requires a recruitment partner with strong market insight, local understanding and the ability to navigate international requirements.
With a Nordic setup and experience across markets, Compass Human Resources Group helps companies identify and attract qualified candidates — also when the relevant profiles are not found in the most obvious places.
We look across industries, countries and professional backgrounds to build a stronger candidate field for roles where expertise, trust and context matter.
Trusted Advisors
Meet Our Consultants
We take the time to listen, ask the right questions, and truly understand your challenges and opportunities. That’s why so many clients return to us. Trust us to deliver the same value for you and your organisation.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about defence industry recruitment
Which companies do you help in the defence industry?
We help companies that work directly or indirectly with the defence sector. This includes established defence companies, suppliers, subcontractors, technology companies, advisors, production companies and service partners.
What they often have in common is the need for leaders and specialists who can navigate technical, complex and security-critical environments.
Which roles do you typically recruit for?
We recruit leaders and specialists across the defence value chain, including engineers, project managers, commercial profiles, technical specialists, supply chain and logistics profiles, IT and cyber security specialists, and senior leaders.
The specific role depends on your organisation, the project and the requirements related to security, documentation, quality and stakeholder management.
Can you help with candidates who need security clearance?
Yes. We can adapt the recruitment process to roles where background, discretion, documentation and security clearance are important factors.
We help ensure that expectations are aligned early in the process, so both company and candidates understand the requirements before moving forward.
Do candidates need experience from the Armed Forces or the defence industry?
Not always. In many cases, relevant experience can come from adjacent industries such as energy, infrastructure, medtech, pharma, industrial production, IT, cyber security, consulting or other regulated B2B environments.
Our role is to assess which competencies are critical, which experience can be transferred, and which candidates have the motivation and ability to succeed in a defence-related context.
How do you handle confidentiality in the recruitment process?
We work discreetly and systematically throughout the entire process. This applies to the dialogue with you as a client, the contact with candidates and the assessment of which information can be shared — and when.
For us, confidentiality is not only about protecting information, but also about creating a professional process where both company and candidates can make decisions on a secure and informed basis.
Can you recruit across the Nordics?
Yes. We have a Nordic setup and can support recruitment across markets, industries and national borders.
This is particularly relevant for companies in the defence industry, where the right candidates often need to be found beyond the most obvious candidate pool — and sometimes outside the local market as well.
How does defence industry recruitment differ from other B2B recruitment?
Recruitment for the defence industry often requires a more specialised approach. In addition to the right professional skills, candidates must be able to thrive in environments with high standards for quality, documentation, security, discretion and long-term decision-making.
That is why we work thoroughly with market insight, motivation and fit before presenting candidates.
How do we get started?
We typically start with a confidential dialogue about your needs, the role, the market and the requirements that are particularly important to the process.
From there, we assess the candidate field, relevant industries, search strategy and the factors that may influence both attraction and selection of candidates.
Ready to discuss a role or recruitment challenge? Contact us directly here
How to recruit specialists for security-critical environments
Recruitment for security-critical roles requires a different approach than traditional recruitment. In this article, we look at how companies can work with role requirements, candidate markets, screening and motivation when a role demands responsibility, documentation and confidentiality.
From civil industry to the defence sector: which candidates can succeed?
The right candidates for the defence industry do not always come from the defence sector itself. We explore which experience from industries such as energy, production, medtech, pharma, IT and infrastructure can be relevant in defence-related roles.
Executive search in the defence industry: when leaders must navigate complex markets
Leaders in the defence industry must balance commercial goals, technical complexity, regulatory requirements and long-term relationships. In this article, we explore what companies should pay attention to when recruiting leaders for defence-related environments.
Recruiting the right people for defence-related roles requires more than a job description – it demands insight, discretion, and a clear understanding of the mission.
Let’s discuss how we can help you build a team that is ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
Contact us
If you have any questions or need assistance with a specific task, please get in touch with us. Fill out the form, and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
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