Lockheed Martin electrical engineer careers in 2026: power, RF, avionics, and what they pay
Electrical engineering is one of the highest-demand disciplines at Lockheed Martin. Every major program, from the F-35 fighter to GPS III satellites to the Orion deep space capsule, needs EEs who can design power systems, RF electronics, avionics hardware, and signal processing chains. In 2026, the company has hundreds of open EE positions across all four business areas, with salaries ranging from $80K for entry-level roles to $185K for senior staff engineers.
What electrical engineers do at Lockheed Martin
The term "electrical engineer" at Lockheed Martin covers a wide spectrum of sub-disciplines. Unlike a consumer electronics company where an EE might focus on one product type, Lockheed Martin EEs work across defense, space, aeronautics, and mission systems. The specific work depends on which business area and program you join.
Power systems engineering
Power EEs design the electrical power generation, conversion, distribution, and storage systems for aircraft, spacecraft, and ground systems. This includes:
- Solar array power regulation for satellites (GPS III, SBIRS, commercial comsats)
- Battery management systems for Orion crew capsule and military vehicles
- Power distribution architectures for the F-35 (the jet's electrical system is more complex than most commercial aircraft)
- High-voltage power electronics for directed energy weapons programs
Power systems roles require strong fundamentals in circuit design, power electronics (DC-DC converters, inverters), battery chemistry, and thermal management of electronics. MATLAB/Simulink and SPICE are the primary simulation tools.
RF and microwave engineering
RF engineers at Lockheed Martin design radar systems, communication links, electronic warfare systems, and antenna arrays. This is one of the most specialized and in-demand EE sub-disciplines in defense aerospace.
Key programs hiring RF engineers in 2026:
- Aegis radar (RMS, Moorestown, NJ) — Phased array radar for naval missile defense
- Space Fence (RMS, Moorestown/Maui) — Ground-based radar for space debris tracking
- F-35 EW suite (Aeronautics, Fort Worth) — Electronic warfare and sensor fusion
- GPS III (Space, Denver) — Navigation payload design and signal generation
- Satellite communications (Space, Sunnyvale/Denver) — Transponder design, antenna systems
RF roles typically require knowledge of electromagnetic theory, antenna design (HFSS, CST), RF circuit design, and signal processing. Many positions require TS/SCI clearance because radar and EW systems are classified.
Avionics hardware engineering
Avionics EEs design the electronic systems that control aircraft and spacecraft: flight computers, sensor interfaces, data buses, and cockpit displays. This work sits at the intersection of electrical engineering and embedded systems.
At Lockheed Martin, avionics roles exist primarily in:
- Aeronautics (Fort Worth, TX) — F-35 mission computer hardware, sensor integration
- Space (Denver, CO) — Orion avionics, satellite command and data handling
- RMS (Owego, NY) — Helicopter avionics for Sikorsky platforms
Avionics positions require familiarity with DO-254 (hardware design assurance for airborne systems), FPGA design (VHDL/Verilog), and high-reliability electronics. Testing skills are equally important: you will spend as much time verifying hardware as designing it.
Signal processing and embedded systems
Signal processing EEs work on sensor data fusion, image processing, electronic intelligence, and communication waveform design. This overlaps with software engineering at the boundary, and many positions blend hardware and firmware development.
Embedded systems roles focus on FPGA programming, real-time operating systems, and hardware-software integration. If you can design a PCB and write the firmware that runs on it, you are in high demand at every Lockheed Martin business area.
In 2026, FPGA design experience (VHDL or Verilog, Xilinx or Intel/Altera tools) is the single highest-demand EE skill at Lockheed Martin. FPGA designers command salary premiums of 10-20% over other EE sub-disciplines at equivalent experience levels. If you are an EE student choosing a specialization, FPGA design is the most marketable path into defense aerospace.
Salary breakdown by level and specialty
Lockheed Martin uses a leveling system (roughly L1 through L6+) that maps to pay bands. Here is what EEs earn in 2026:
| Level | Experience | Base salary range | Total comp (with bonus) |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 (Associate) | 0-2 years | $80K–$95K | $82K–$102K |
| L2 (Engineer) | 2-5 years | $90K–$115K | $95K–$126K |
| L3 (Senior) | 5-10 years | $110K–$145K | $118K–$160K |
| L4 (Staff) | 10-15 years | $135K–$170K | $148K–$190K |
| L5 (Senior Staff) | 15+ years | $155K–$185K | $170K–$210K |
RF and FPGA specialists tend to be at the higher end of each band. Power systems and general avionics roles are mid-range. Geographic location also affects pay: Denver and Sunnyvale positions pay more than Fort Worth or Moorestown due to cost of living adjustments.
Total compensation includes base salary plus an annual incentive bonus (typically 5-12% of base), 401(k) with 10% company match/contribution, and comprehensive benefits. For detailed salary data across all engineering disciplines, see our post on Lockheed Martin engineer salary data.
Where EE jobs are located
| Location | Business area | EE focus |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX | Aeronautics | F-35 avionics, EW, power systems |
| Denver/Littleton, CO | Space | Satellite EPS, avionics, RF payloads |
| Sunnyvale, CA | Space | Classified satellite systems, RF |
| Moorestown, NJ | RMS | Aegis radar, Space Fence, naval EW |
| Owego, NY | RMS | Helicopter avionics, mission computers |
| Orlando, FL | MFC | Missile seeker electronics, guidance |
| Grand Prairie, TX | MFC | Weapons power systems, fuzing |
| Syracuse, NY | RMS | Radar electronics, signal processing |
For EEs specifically interested in space programs, Denver and Sunnyvale are the primary hubs. See our guide on Lockheed Martin jobs in Colorado for more on the Denver campus.
What you need to get hired
Education
A BS in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a closely related field is the minimum. An MS is preferred for RF, signal processing, and FPGA roles. PhD holders can find homes in the advanced technology labs (ATL) doing research, but most program roles do not require a doctorate.
Clearance
The majority of Lockheed Martin EE positions require at least Secret clearance. RF engineering, electronic warfare, and satellite roles frequently require TS/SCI. You must be a US citizen to hold a clearance. Lockheed Martin sponsors clearance processing for new hires, but the investigation takes 6-18 months.
Key skills by sub-discipline
- Power systems: MATLAB/Simulink, SPICE, power electronics design, battery chemistry
- RF/microwave: HFSS, CST, ADS, vector network analyzer experience, EMC testing
- Avionics: FPGA (VHDL/Verilog), DO-254, PCB layout (Altium/Cadence), oscilloscope and logic analyzer proficiency
- Signal processing: MATLAB, Python, DSP theory, adaptive filtering, spectral analysis
Interview process
Lockheed Martin EE interviews typically involve:
- Recruiter screen — Background and logistics
- Technical phone interview — Domain-specific questions from a hiring manager
- On-site or virtual panel — 2-4 hours, multiple interviewers, mix of technical and behavioral questions
Technical questions tend to be fundamental: circuit analysis, signal processing basics, control systems theory. They are not trick questions, but you need solid fundamentals. Expect to discuss your past projects in detail.
How Lockheed Martin EE roles compare to other employers
Lockheed Martin is the largest defense contractor in the world, which gives it an EE job market all its own. The main alternatives:
- Northrop Grumman — Comparable work (radar, satellites, EW) at similar pay. Northrop has a stronger presence in classified space systems.
- Boeing — More commercial aviation EE work. Defense side is comparable. Boeing is generally considered to have a less demanding culture.
- L3Harris — Strongest in RF, communication systems, and ISR sensors. More EE-specialized than the other primes.
- SpaceX/commercial space — Higher base pay in some cases, but no clearance work, less job security, longer hours. See SpaceX careers for comparison.
Lockheed Martin's advantages for EEs: program diversity (you can switch between fighter jets, satellites, and missiles without changing companies), job stability, strong benefits, and clearance sponsorship. The main drawback is pace. Large defense programs move slower than commercial space startups.
Apply and explore
Browse current Lockheed Martin electrical engineering openings or search across all space industry employers on the Zero G Talent job board.
For related career information, see our posts on Lockheed Martin mechanical engineering, Lockheed Martin careers, and Lockheed Martin salary data.
