Manufacturers across America are struggling to fill positions. The National Association of Manufacturers reports that over 500,000 manufacturing jobs remain unfilled heading into 2026—and the gap is widening.
We pulled data from HireBuilt's employer database of 2,400+ companies to identify the 15 manufacturers with the most active job openings right now.
1. SpaceX
Locations: Hawthorne CA, McGregor TX, Starbase TX, Cape Canaveral FL
SpaceX consistently hires welders, machinists, composite technicians, and test engineers. Entry-level production roles start at $22-28/hour with significant overtime.
What they look for: TIG welding certifications, CNC experience, willingness to work non-standard shifts.
2. Tesla
Locations: Fremont CA, Austin TX, Sparks NV
Tesla's Gigafactories need thousands of production technicians, maintenance mechanics, and quality inspectors. The Austin Gigafactory alone employs over 20,000 workers.
3. Boeing
Locations: Everett WA, Charleston SC, St. Louis MO, Mesa AZ
Boeing is ramping production on the 737 MAX and 787 programs. They're hiring assembly mechanics, structural mechanics, and electrical installers at scale.
4. Lockheed Martin
Locations: Fort Worth TX, Marietta GA, Palmdale CA, Orlando FL
Defense manufacturing is booming. Lockheed hires welders, electronics technicians, composite fabricators, and CNC machinists for F-35 and other programs.
5. General Motors
Locations: Detroit MI, Arlington TX, Spring Hill TN, Wentzville MO
GM is investing $35 billion in EV manufacturing. Their battery plants and assembly facilities need skilled trades workers at every level.
6. Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Locations: Georgetown KY, Princeton IN, San Antonio TX
Toyota's U.S. plants are known for excellent pay, benefits, and work culture. Production team members start at $22+/hour with regular raises.
7. Northrop Grumman
Locations: Palmdale CA, Melbourne FL, Redondo Beach CA
The B-21 bomber program and other defense contracts mean steady demand for skilled trades at Northrop Grumman facilities.
8. Caterpillar
Locations: Peoria IL, East Peoria IL, Decatur IL, multiple southern states
Caterpillar hires CNC machinists, welders, painters, and assembly technicians across dozens of U.S. plants. Starting pay ranges from $20-30/hour depending on role and location.
9. Raytheon Technologies (RTX)
Locations: Tucson AZ, Andover MA, El Segundo CA
Missile systems and defense electronics require precision manufacturing workers. Raytheon hires assemblers, solderers, and test technicians.
10. John Deere
Locations: Waterloo IA, Moline IL, Dubuque IA, Horicon WI
Agricultural and construction equipment manufacturing. Deere is known for competitive wages and strong union benefits.
11. Honeywell
Locations: Phoenix AZ, Charlotte NC, Kansas City MO
Honeywell's aerospace division manufactures avionics, engines, and safety systems. They hire machinists, assemblers, and test technicians.
12. BAE Systems
Locations: York PA, Aiken SC, Minneapolis MN
Defense vehicle manufacturing (Bradley, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle) requires welders, machinists, and assembly workers.
13. General Electric (GE Aerospace)
Locations: Lynn MA, Evendale OH, Greenville SC
Jet engine manufacturing at GE requires some of the most skilled machinists and welders in the industry. Pay reflects the skill requirements.
14. Textron Aviation (Cessna/Bell)
Locations: Wichita KS, Fort Worth TX
Aircraft manufacturing and helicopter production. Textron hires sheet metal workers, composite technicians, and avionics installers.
15. Blue Origin
Locations: Kent WA, Huntsville AL, Cape Canaveral FL
Jeff Bezos's space company is scaling up manufacturing for the New Glenn rocket. They're hiring welders, machinists, and production technicians.
How to Get Hired at These Companies
- Get certified — Most want to see welding certs (AWS), machining credentials, or relevant trade school completion
- Apply direct — Skip Indeed. Go to each company's careers page (or find them on HireBuilt)
- Prepare for skills tests — Many manufacturers test welding, blueprint reading, or mechanical aptitude during interviews
- Be flexible on shift — Second and third shift positions are often easier to land and may pay a shift differential
Company data sourced from HireBuilt employer database and public careers pages. Job availability subject to change.
