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Robins Air Force Base software lead describes local workforce pipeline and university partnerships
Summary
Mike Doubleday, a civil‑service leader in Robins AFB's software engineering organization, told Houston County commissioners the unit develops embedded and systems software for multiple aircraft and maintains a recruitment pipeline that brings 140–160 interns each summer and hires graduates from roughly 34 universities across the Southeast.
Mike Doubleday, a civil‑service official with the software engineering group at Robins Air Force Base, briefed the Houston County Board of Commissioners on the unit's mission, workforce size and local training partnerships.
Doubleday said the organization provides embedded and systems software for aircraft ranging from fighters to cargo planes and for associated avionics and mission systems. He described two workforce figures during the presentation: a broader organizational footprint described as about 1,800 scientists, engineers and specialists and a direct‑labor development workforce he cited as roughly 1,200 people. "We, as a software team of about 1,800 scientists, engineers, IT technology specialists ... provide that capability of developing software for those systems," he said.
On recruitment and training, Doubleday told commissioners the office draws new hires from roughly 34 universities across the Southeast and runs an internship program that in recent summers brought "anywhere from 140 to 160 university interns" to Robins to expose students to coding and engineering work. He described a retention advantage for hires who live within about a three‑hour drive of the base because family ties increase the likelihood they'll remain in the workforce.
Doubleday also described local partnerships: an intergovernmental service agreement with the Development Authority of Houston County and with the Houston County Board of Education to support dual‑enrollment classes with Middle Georgia State University at an off‑base training facility supporting 'Project Synergy.' He said the program offers a dedicated training room and offices for instructors and works with high schools through a "Launchpad" initiative to bring rising freshmen and sophomores exposure to computing and engineering careers prior to university coursework.
Commissioners thanked Doubleday, highlighted the base's local economic and infrastructure impact, and noted a change of command at the 78th Air Base Wing that the board said it will recognize in the community.
The presentation highlights the base's role as a regional employer and a collaborator with local education and economic development partners, with implications for workforce development and county recruitment efforts.
