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Lockheed Martin Hiring Guide
Hard difficulty
Updated April 28, 2026

How to Get Hired at Lockheed Martin in 2026

Lockheed Martin is the largest defense contractor in the world by revenue, organized into Aeronautics (F-35, F-22), Missiles & Fire Control, Rotary & Mission Systems, and Space. It is the prime contractor on many of the US military's most critical platforms.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, getting hired at Lockheed Martin requires navigating a hard 8 weeks to 6+ months depending on clearance process. Lockheed Martin uses Internal Lockheed Martin careers system (Brassring-based) as their ATS. Entry-level roles (Engineer Associate) pay around $90,000 total compensation; senior roles (Lead Engineer / Staff) reach $220,000. Lockheed is hiring aggressively across F-35 sustainment, hypersonics, missile defense, and space programs in 2026, with strong demand for cleared software and systems engineers.

Industry
Aerospace / Defense
HQ
Bethesda, Maryland
Employees
122K
Process Duration
8 weeks to 6+ months depending on clearance
Lockheed Martin Careers

Lockheed Martin Hiring Process

Average duration: 8 weeks to 6+ months depending on clearance. ATS used: Internal Lockheed Martin careers system (Brassring-based).

1
Apply via the Lockheed Martin Careers site (internal Brassring/proprietary system)
2
Recruiter phone screen including citizenship and clearance verification
3
Hiring manager technical interview
4
Panel interview with engineering and program leads
5
Executive or skip-level interview for senior roles
6
Clearance investigation (Secret, TS, or TS/SCI as required) — can take months
7
Drug screen, background check, and offer

Common Lockheed Martin Interview Questions

Real questions known to be asked. Prep specific examples for each.

Q1

Why Lockheed Martin and which business area interests you most?

Q2

Walk through a time you delivered a complex engineering deliverable on a tight schedule.

Q3

How do you handle ITAR / export-controlled information?

Q4

Describe a time you debugged a system-level integration issue.

Q5

How do you partner with US government customers and program managers?

Q6

Tell me about a time you proposed a cost or schedule improvement on a program.

Q7

How do you balance technical excellence with the realities of cost-plus contracts?

Q8

Describe a safety, quality, or mission-assurance issue you escalated.

Q9

How do you mentor younger engineers on a long-running program?

Q10

What do you know about programs like F-35, Aegis, Orion, or Skunk Works?

Topics They Test

Systems engineering and INCOSE practicesModel-based systems engineering (MBSE)DOORS, Cameo, MagicDrawAerospace structures, propulsion, GN&CEmbedded and safety-critical software (DO-178, DO-254)Cybersecurity for defense systems (RMF, NIST 800-171)Specialty software: MATLAB/Simulink, STK, ANSYS

Lockheed Martin Salary Bands (2026)

Total compensation including base + bonus + equity. Source: Levels.fyi 2026.

Entry
Engineer Associate
$90,000
Mid
Senior Engineer
$150,000
Senior
Lead Engineer / Staff
$220,000
Principal
Lockheed Martin Fellow
$320,000

Lockheed Martin-Specific Resume Tips

What hits when applying to Lockheed Martin specifically.

List US citizenship and active clearance status at the top of the resume.

Include clearance level (Secret, TS, TS/SCI), polygraph status, and last investigation date if active.

Highlight ABET-accredited degree and any DoD or NASA program experience.

Quantify mission impact (program milestones, cost savings, schedule recovered).

Mention specific tools like DOORS, MATLAB, STK, or Cameo by name.

Use a plain, text-friendly format that parses cleanly through Lockheed's ATS.

Lockheed Martin Culture Keywords

These resonate in Lockheed Martin interviews and reviews — weave them naturally into your resume and cover letter.

Mission firstIntegrityExcellenceInnovationInclusionAccountabilityEngineering rigorStewardship

Lockheed Martin uses Internal Lockheed Martin careers system (Brassring-based) for resume screening.

Your resume must pass Internal Lockheed Martin careers system (Brassring-based)'s parser before reaching a recruiter. Run a free ATS scan to check your match rate.

Roles Lockheed Martin Hires For

Mechanical Engineer$100KElectrical Engineer$111KSoftware Engineer$132KCybersecurity Analyst$120KProject Manager$96K

Top Lockheed Martin Hiring Locations

Washington, DCDenver, COColorado Springs, CODallas, TXFort Worth, TX
2026 Hiring Status

Lockheed is hiring aggressively across F-35 sustainment, hypersonics, missile defense, and space programs in 2026, with strong demand for cleared software and systems engineers.

Lockheed Martin Hiring FAQ

Do I need a security clearance to work at Lockheed Martin?
Most engineering roles require at least a Secret clearance, and many require Top Secret or TS/SCI. Lockheed will sponsor a clearance for US citizens, but the investigation can take 6-18 months.
Do I need to be a US citizen?
Yes, for nearly all engineering positions. Lockheed work is heavily ITAR / export-controlled. Permanent residents are eligible for a small number of non-cleared corporate roles.
How long does the Lockheed Martin hiring process take?
For non-cleared candidates with an existing clearance, 8-12 weeks. For candidates needing a new clearance investigation, 6-18 months from offer to start date.
What ATS does Lockheed Martin use?
Lockheed uses an internal careers platform built on Brassring rather than Workday. Use a clean, text-based resume optimized for keyword parsing.
How does Lockheed pay compared to commercial aerospace?
Comparable to Boeing for new grads (~$90K) and slightly above for senior cleared roles. Top secret cleared engineers can earn 15-30% premiums.
Where are the major Lockheed Martin hiring locations?
Bethesda (HQ), Fort Worth (F-35), Denver/Colorado Springs (Space), Marietta GA, King of Prussia PA, Orlando FL, and Sunnyvale CA.
Is Lockheed Martin hiring remote?
Limited. Most engineering work is performed on-site in classified spaces (SCIFs). Some software and corporate roles offer hybrid flexibility.

Methodology & Sources

Lockheed Martin hiring data is compiled from public company information, employee reviews on Glassdoor and Blind, the Levels.fyi compensation database, and reporting from Levels.fyi, Business Insider, and TechCrunch. Salary bands reflect 2026 total compensation (base + bonus + equity vested annually). Hiring process steps reflect the most commonly reported sequence — actual experience varies by role and team. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Reference Sources

Other Aerospace / Defense Companies

Boeing
Arlington, Virginia
Entry: $95K

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