Small engineering firms are not just competing with the primes… they may be the future of national security space.

Janet Grondin, CEO of Stellar Solutions, joins Mission Critical to explain why small systems engineering companies are positioned to solve the hardest problems in the space ecosystem, and why culture has become a strategic advantage.

With more than 27 years of leadership across the Air Force, Space Force and Northrop, Janet has seen every side of the industry. At Stellar, she leads a company built on a culture of empowerment that removes bureaucracy and lets engineers solve mission critical problems at speed. From helping stand up Space Systems Command International Affairs to supporting early stage space companies through Stellar Ventures, Janet offers a rare view into how innovation truly moves inside national security space.

If you work in defense, space, engineering or government acquisition, this conversation offers a clear eyed look at how the ecosystem is changing. Whether you are a program manager, recruiter, founder or policy leader, Janet's insights reveal the realities shaping the next decade of space capability.

You will learn: • Why small engineering firms often outperform the primes • How culture becomes a competitive advantage in national security space • Why SDA's integration challenges need small, nimble strike teams • The biggest blockers facing early stage space companies selling to government • What the next generation of Space Force talent must bring to the mission • How Stellar Ventures connects breakthrough technologies to real government needs

Connect with Janet:https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetgrondin/https://stellarsolutions.com/

Connect with Katherine Jerald:http://www.elraysearch.com