A Shared Purpose: Finding Employment After Military Service

The transition from military to civilian life marks a new chapter for thousands of service members and their families each year. For companies like Plexus Corp., this transition is a profound opportunity: the chance to welcome a talent pool defined by unparalleled leadership, discipline and a mission-first mindset.

At Plexus, we recognize that the skills developed during military service aren’t just transferable; they are essential to our vision of building a better world. For decades, we’ve been a trusted partner in the Aerospace/Defense industry, designing, manufacturing and servicing the mission-critical technologies that our warfighters depend on across all domains. This deep commitment to delivering excellence naturally instills a profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service members, whose natural precision, integrity and disciplined focus are exactly what our vision demands. By making Plexus a destination for veteran careers and support, we ensure that those who have dedicated themselves to service continue to serve with a purpose.

Through this commitment, we are proud of our partnership with the Hiring Our Heroes program—a vital bridge connecting veterans and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities. This initiative is key to fostering a supportive environment where service members can continue to thrive.

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on two individuals who joined the Plexus team through Hiring Our Heroes: AJ Malisheski, a Transition Manager, and Mark Vandenberg, a Product Development Project Manager. Their journeys exemplify the dedication, adaptability and leadership that veterans bring to Plexus.

AJ’s Purpose-Driven Transition to Plexus

For AJ Malisheski, the Hiring our Heroes fellowship, combined with Plexus’s clear vision, provided the ideal landing spot.

As he planned his move from North Carolina back to the Midwest, AJ was looking for an organization that shared similar values—one whose goals focused on purpose and aimed to benefit more than just profit margins. His search ended upon finding Plexus: “The message on the website had me sold: ‘We help create the products that build a better world’—to me, this was an organization that had a clear-cut purpose.”

While AJ’s nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps established fluency in organizational and project management, he admits he lacked direct manufacturing experience. Plexus didn’t view this as an obstacle, but an opportunity—a powerful demonstration of our Growing Our People value. “This immediately showed me that Plexus lives their values and has genuine care for the development of their team members,” he recalls. For three months, he shadowed various positions and spoke with individuals across nearly every aspect of the business.

The commitment of his new colleagues was immediate and profound: “Every single person was happy to make time for me,” he says. “Every single person enthusiastically answered all the questions I asked, and never made me feel like I was wasting their time.” He notes that this patient, supportive mindset mirrors the Marine Corps’ approach: continuous training and versatility are the key to adaptation and success.

As a Transition Manager, AJ describes himself as the “organizational glue” involved in the tactical and strategic success of programs from New Product Introduction (NPI) through manufacturing. His military training prepared him to thrive in complex environments, and he now applies that leadership to solve challenges quickly: “I have the unique ability to apply additional resources and escalations to keep programs on track,” he states.

AJ’s successful transition from the Marine Corps to Plexus highlights the power of a strong vision and shared purpose to build a better world.

How Mark Found His Fit at Plexus

For Mark Vandenberg, the Hiring our Heroes fellowship served as a perfect, low-risk test drive from his distinguished career in the U.S. Space Force to a challenging new role in engineering leadership at Plexus.

“I wanted to continue leading engineering teams but needed a more stable environment for my young and growing family,” he shares.

Joining our Engineering Solutions team as a Product Development Project Manager was an excellent fit, immediately allowing him to leverage his unique military expertise. As a Project Manager, Mark focuses on the Aerospace/Defense market sector.

His military role as a Capability Test Team Director involved leading complex orbital warfare test campaigns in volatile, uncertain environments. That critical experience is invaluable now: “It is my belief that I can apply that experience to Plexus projects to solve our customers’ toughest challenges.” By creating customer success through on-time delivery and zero defects, Mark continues to directly contribute to the creation of space products, drawing on his experiences from Space Force.

The transition to civilian life was made significantly smoother by Plexus’s welcoming culture and deep alignment with our value of Building Belonging. Having returned his family to Northeast Wisconsin, he noted the immediate support from both his personal network and his new colleagues. He particularly appreciated the patience and eagerness of his team to integrate him into a new industry: “My peers and managers alike have been patient with my unfamiliarity with electronics design, test and manufacturing and eager to educate me when opportunities arise,” he states.

Mark’s story is a powerful testament to how military discipline, combined with a supportive workplace environment dedicated to living its values, can help someone reach their full potential.

Building Belonging Through a Culture of Support

Beyond the initial hiring of veterans, true support lies in fostering an inclusive culture where they can reach their full potential, feeling the same strong sense of camaraderie and belonging they experienced during their military service—a commitment deeply rooted in Plexus’s value of Building Belonging.

AJ and Mark’s stories are a testament to the strong support system within Plexus, particularly our Veterans Employee Resource (ERG) Group. The ERG plays a vital role in fostering a sense of community and ensuring that our veteran team members feel welcomed and valued.

“The search for post-service employment that gives purpose can be tough,” says Josh Kappes, Plexus Veterans ERG Recruitment Officer. “Our ERG is here to help bridge that gap, building the camaraderie that veterans are accustomed to during their service.”

Josh, who served in the U.S. Army, emphasizes the strong alignment between military service and Plexus’ culture: “At Plexus, we recognize that trust, integrity and a people-first mentality are synonymous with service. That’s what makes this a true home for transitioning service members.”

He continues by highlighting the ERG’s strategic role: “We are dedicated to building global networks and helping Plexus embrace the unique experience our veterans bring, which ultimately strengthen the entire organization. Hearing the stories and seeing the impact of peers like AJ and Mark reminds us why this community is so important to our company.”

Your Next Great Mission Starts at Plexus

The decision to focus on veteran employment is truly a shared purpose. For Plexus, it means gaining a workforce that understands mission-critical performance better than anyone, ensuring we continue to deliver the advanced, reliable solutions our customers depend on. For veterans, it means finding a place where their leadership, discipline and problem-solving skills are not just valued, but are essential. We believe your service to the United States has prepared you for this moment, and we are proud to believe your next great mission can be found here.

Are you or a family member transitioning out of the military? If so, search Plexus careers or join our talent network today.