Griffon Aerospace
Griffon Aerospace is a small business that designs, builds and flies unmanned aircraft systems and aerial targets. Its customers include the U.S. Department of Defense, allied nations, commercial businesses and university research labs, and since 2003 it has supplied the MQM-170 Outlaw aerial target for the U.S. Army's air defense training. Its work spans engineering (aerodynamics, advanced composites, reverse engineering), manufacturing and flight operations.
In Huntsville, AL
Griffon Aerospace is headquartered at 106 Commerce Circle in Madison, where it designs, builds and flies unmanned aircraft and aerial targets. The U.S. Army buys its MQM-170 Outlaw and MQM-171 Broadsword targets: a four-year contract of about $402 million awarded in 2022, and in August 2026 an order-dependent contract for Outlaw systems, support equipment and field service representatives through Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal.
About Griffon Aerospace in Huntsville, AL
Griffon Aerospace is a Madison-based small business that designs, builds and flies unmanned aircraft systems for national defense. Its story starts in 1993, when owner and CEO Larry French built the Lionheart, a six-place kit aircraft; the company later moved into unmanned aircraft and advanced composite manufacturing. In 2003 it won its first prime contract, for MQM-170A Outlaw target production, engineering and flight services for the U.S. Army's air defense training program. Today its product lines are unmanned aircraft (including its newer Valiant), aerial targets, legacy vehicles and ground support equipment, and it offers engineering, manufacturing (composites, electrical harnesses, metal fabrication, systems integration) and flight services, including live-fire training support. In 2022 the Army awarded it a four-year contract of about $402 million for Outlaw and Broadsword targets and related support, and in August 2026 another Outlaw contract through Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal. The company says it is ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D registered.
Culture & Work Environment
Griffon's careers page lists seven core values: integrity, excellence, 100% customer satisfaction, trustworthiness, quality, valuing every employee, and innovation. The company says a job there is "more than just a job" and describes a workplace where people encourage each other. Under "What We Offer" it names hands-on experience, competitive pay, role autonomy and a positive atmosphere. As a company that builds and flies its own aircraft, much of its work is hands-on: engineering, composite and electrical manufacturing, and flight operations by UAS pilots, operators and support technicians. Check each listing for the team, schedule and any travel the role involves.
Hiring Process & Timeline
Griffon posts its openings on an applicant portal linked from its careers page, and applications go through it. The company does not publish its hiring steps or a timeline. A typical process at a small defense manufacturer is a resume review, a phone screen with HR or the hiring manager, and an interview with the team, which for technical roles may go into hands-on skills. The company says it participates in E-Verify. Each listing states its own requirements, such as certifications, travel for flight operations, or eligibility to work on defense programs; read them before applying and ask the recruiter what to expect.
Interview Tips
Know the products. Griffon's site describes its unmanned aircraft, aerial targets such as the Outlaw, ground support equipment, and its flight, engineering and manufacturing services; be ready to explain where your experience fits. For manufacturing roles, prepare concrete examples of work with composites, wiring harnesses, metal fabrication or systems integration, and of following quality procedures (the company says it is AS9100D registered). For flight operations, talk about UAS or aircraft operating experience and how you handle safety and checklists. For engineering, bring examples of design, aerodynamics or test work. In every case, connect your answers to the company's stated values, such as quality, integrity and customer satisfaction.
Security Clearance Requirements
Griffon's careers page does not state a clearance requirement. Because its customers include the Department of Defense, some roles may require U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work on export-controlled defense programs, and some may ask for a security clearance; each listing says what it needs. Read the requirements in each listing and ask the recruiter if anything is unclear. For how clearance levels and processing work in general, see the clearances guide on this site.
Compensation & Salary
Pay depends on the role, experience and the program. For current figures, check the posted pay ranges in Griffon Aerospace's listings on this site, which reflect what the company is advertising now. The company's careers page names competitive pay, hands-on experience, role autonomy and a positive atmosphere among what it offers, but it does not publish a benefits list. Ask the recruiter about health coverage, retirement savings and paid time off before you accept an offer.
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