Hi, I’m Emma. If you have ever looked at a Lockheed Martin Space job posting and thought, “That is not for me,” I want to change your mind. A Lockheed Martin Space career is more reachable than it looks, and you do not have to be a rocket scientist to land one. Let’s go step by step.
What Lockheed Martin Space Actually Does
Lockheed Martin’s own annual report describes its Space business as research, design, development, engineering and production of satellites, space transportation systems, and strategic and defensive systems. That is a lot of ground. It covers missile warning satellites, GPS satellites, and the Orion spacecraft that NASA is building to carry crews beyond low Earth orbit.
Think of it as a big company with many small teams. Each program needs engineers, yes. It also needs people who plan schedules, buy parts, write contracts, test hardware, and keep everyone on track. That is where you come in.
The Programs You Will Hear About
Two programs show up again and again in Lockheed Martin’s filings. Orion is the crew spacecraft built for NASA’s human exploration missions. Next Gen OPIR is a set of missile warning satellites for the U.S. Space Force, designed as five satellites: three in geostationary orbit and two in highly elliptical orbits for polar coverage.
Why does this matter to you? Because knowing the programs helps you write a better application. When you can say “I want to work on missile warning satellites” instead of “I want to work in space,” recruiters notice. It shows you did your homework.
Where the Jobs Are
Space work at Lockheed Martin is spread across several states. Current postings I found show roles and internships in Colorado, including Littleton and Boulder, plus Huntsville, Alabama. Third-party career blogs also list Sunnyvale, California. Locations change, so always check the live listings on the official Lockheed Martin careers site before you plan a move.
Here is the real talk: pick a location that fits your life now. A job you can actually accept beats a dream job two time zones away that you cannot afford to relocate for.
The Citizenship and Clearance Question
This is the part that scares people, so let me make it simple. Nearly every Lockheed Martin Space role requires U.S. citizenship. Many require that you can obtain a security clearance, usually Secret. Some postings say you do not need the clearance to start, only the ability to get one.
Others, especially full-time roles that want an active Top Secret clearance, are harder to get without prior clearance experience. If you are just starting out, focus on the internships and associate roles that say “ability to obtain.” The company generally starts the clearance process after you are hired, though timelines vary a lot, so be patient.
What can hurt a clearance? Think unpaid debts, undisclosed history, and not being honest on the forms. Honesty is the whole game. Start tidying up your finances now.
Start With an Internship or Co-op
The easiest door in is often the internship door. Lockheed Martin Space has posted systems engineering and software engineering internships in places like Boulder and Huntsville. Co-ops, where you alternate semesters of work and school, give you even more time on a real program.
Third-party sources say applications for next summer often open in the fall and fill on a rolling basis, so apply early. Treat that as a good rule of thumb and confirm the dates on the official site.
Entry-Level Roles to Search For
Try searching for “Systems Engineer Associate,” “Software Engineer,” “Test Engineer,” and “Program Management.” Lockheed Martin has also run early-career rotational programs, which third-party sources describe as a two-year rotation across several assignments. Details change, so read the current program page before you apply.
Notice that the list includes program management and operations, not just engineering. Around 44% of space industry jobs are non-technical, and Lockheed Martin Space is no exception. Finance, supply chain, contracts, and communications teams all keep programs moving.
Build the Skills That Get You Noticed
For technical roles, the postings I found keep asking for the same things: a relevant degree, comfort with MATLAB or Python, and a feel for how systems fit together. A solid foundation in aerospace basics helps, and a book like Fundamentals of Aerospace Engineering textbook (#ad) is a friendly place to start. Once you want the big picture of how complex spacecraft get designed, Systems Engineering Principles and Practice (#ad) walks through the whole process.
No degree in engineering? Do not stop here. Business, supply chain, accounting, and communications majors all have a path in. Show that you can learn fast and work with people.
Make a Project Your Proof
Recruiters love seeing that you built something. You do not need a lab. A small sensor project, a Python script that tracks satellites overhead, or a model rocket build all say “I can get started and finish.” Write up what you did on one page and keep it handy.
Write a Resume That Speaks Their Language
Use the words from the posting. If it says “systems engineering,” and you did a class project that involved requirements and testing, say that plainly. Keep it to one page, lead with projects, and use numbers when you have them. Short, clear bullets beat long paragraphs every time.
Apply to several roles, not just one. Each posting has its own requirements, and you will not know which one fits until someone replies.
Helpful Resources for Aspiring Space Professionals
Here are a few things I would pick up if I were starting today:
- Raspberry Pi 5 starter kit (#ad): Build small projects and learn Python along the way. A working demo is great interview material.
- Never Split the Difference (#ad): Interviews and negotiation are skills you can practice. This book makes both feel a lot less scary.
Your Next Step This Week
Open the Lockheed Martin careers site and search “Space” with your state and your major. Save three postings. Write down the skills they all share, then pick one to practice this week. That is it. Small steps add up, and you are closer than you think. I will be cheering for you, Jordan.
