The government just dropped the biggest tech spending bill in U.S. history. And if you're looking to break into GovTech, this changes everything.
On July 4th, 2025, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" became law, directing $150 billion toward defense and national security tech priorities. That's not a typo. Largest federal tech investment ever–and it's creating a hiring frenzy.
(Nothing says "Happy Independence Day" quite like a trillion-dollar spending spree, am I right?) What this means for your career prospects: the next 18 months could be the best time in decades to land a six-figure GovTech role.
The Numbers Don't Lie
Total defense spending just hit over $1 trillion for FY2026. The bulk goes to:
AI infrastructure and development
Quantum research and cryptography
Advanced semiconductor manufacturing
Autonomous military systems
Cybersecurity and surveillance technology
Translation: defense contractors need bodies. Lots of them. People with security clearances who can actually do the work.
(And by "bodies," I mean talented professionals, not extras from a zombie movie. Though sometimes the government hiring process can feel similarly chaotic.)
Where the Money's Flowing
The Stargate Project alone is getting $500 billion for AI infrastructure. Then there's the "Golden Dome" missile defense project, border surveillance tech expansion, and a tripling of U.S. Customs funding.
Every major defense contractor–companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and emerging players like Palantir and Anduril – is scrambling to staff up. The small business set-aside requirements mean even startups are getting massive federal contracts.
But there's a catch: they can't just hire anyone.
The Clearance Advantage
The bill includes strict "domestic content requirements" and bans on "prohibited foreign entities." Defense companies are being extremely careful about hiring. Your security clearance used to be nice to have. Now it's the golden ticket.
And the Department of Defense's mandatory cybersecurity requirements (DoD 8570)? More important than ever. With all this new spending, Security+ certification is becoming the absolute baseline for any government tech role.
What This Means for You
If you're transitioning out of the military or pivoting into GovTech, the timing couldn't be better. But you need to move fast.
Defense contractors getting these contracts need people who understand the mission, have the right clearances, and can hit the ground running. They're not looking for someone who needs six months to figure out what STIG compliance means while sipping coffee and asking, "So, what exactly does this company do again?"
Companies are specifically hunting for expertise in:
Cloud architecture (AWS, Azure)
Cybersecurity and compliance
Network engineering and automation
Project management for complex systems
AI/ML implementation in secure environments
These are the exact skills that command premium salaries in government technology.
The Small Window
Government spending cycles move fast. Defense contractors who were just talking about "maybe hiring" are now posting dozens of open positions.
But this hiring surge won't last forever. Once teams are built and projects are staffed, the window closes. It's like musical chairs, except the chairs are six-figure jobs and the music is a very expensive government spending bill.
The companies that got $150 billion in new funding need to prove they can execute. That means building teams now, not later.
If you're serious about breaking into this space, now is the time to start building the right skills and positioning yourself strategically. The window for this kind of opportunity doesn't stay open long.
More insights on navigating this GovTech gold rush coming in next week's Intel Brief.
Best,
— Jerraill Murphy
P.S. - If you found this breakdown valuable, forward it to anyone else who might benefit from understanding how this massive spending shift affects their career prospects. The more people who understand these opportunities, the stronger our entire community becomes.