Lockheed Martin Finance Internship in 2026
A finance internship at Lockheed Martin is one of the most sought-after opportunities in the defense industry for accounting and finance students. The program offers meaningful work on multi-billion-dollar defense programs, competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a clear pathway to full-time employment after graduation. In 2026, Lockheed Martin is actively hiring finance interns across its four business areas — Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space — at locations throughout the United States. This guide covers everything you need to know about the program, including pay, responsibilities, locations, the application process, and your chances of converting to a full-time role.
Program Overview
Lockheed Martin's Summer 2026 Finance Internship is a 10-week program designed for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in finance, accounting, economics, or related business disciplines. Interns are embedded within real finance teams, working on actual program financials rather than simulated projects.
The internship runs from approximately late May through early August, with exact dates varying slightly by location and business area. Interns work full-time (40 hours per week) and are treated as valued team members with meaningful responsibilities from day one.
Program Philosophy
Lockheed Martin's approach to internships emphasizes hands-on contribution. The company explicitly states that interns work alongside experts and contribute to real missions rather than observing from the sidelines. Finance interns support critical missions across aerospace, defense, and advanced technology programs.
Compensation and Benefits
Intern Pay
Finance intern compensation at Lockheed Martin is competitive with other defense contractors and Fortune 500 companies:
| Level | Hourly Rate | Annualized Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Sophomore | $24–$28/hr | $50,000–$58,000 |
| Undergraduate Junior/Senior | $27–$33/hr | $56,000–$69,000 |
| Graduate (MBA/MS) | $33–$36/hr | $69,000–$75,000 |
The official salary range for finance internships in high-cost states (California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, Washington) is $55,765 to $74,080 annualized. Actual hourly rates depend on education level, relevant coursework, and the specific business area.
Benefits
One of the most distinctive aspects of Lockheed Martin internships is the comprehensive benefits package — unusual for intern programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance — Full coverage available from the start of the internship
- 401(k) participation — With company matching
- Life insurance — Company-provided coverage
- Disability coverage — Both short-term and long-term
- Paid time off — Accrued during the internship period
- Holiday pay — Paid holidays during the internship
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — Mental health and wellness support
- Education assistance — Available for eligible programs
What Finance Interns Actually Do
Finance interns at Lockheed Martin are assigned to specific programs or functional teams within the finance organization. The work is substantive and directly supports the financial management of defense contracts worth millions or billions of dollars.
Common Intern Responsibilities
Program Financial Analysis: Analyzing actual costs versus budgeted costs on defense programs. This involves working with Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics, understanding cost-performance indexes, and flagging variances that require management attention.
Budget Preparation: Supporting the annual budget cycle by compiling cost estimates, analyzing historical trends, and preparing budget presentations for program leadership.
Cost Accounting: Working with government cost accounting standards (CAS) and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requirements that govern how defense contractors record and report costs.
Financial Reporting: Preparing periodic financial reports for internal management and external stakeholders, including government customers.
Variance Analysis: Investigating discrepancies between planned and actual financial performance, identifying root causes, and recommending corrective actions.
Process Improvement: Many interns are assigned process improvement projects that streamline financial workflows using Excel, PowerBI, or other analytics tools.
Tools and Skills
Finance interns regularly use:
- SAP — Enterprise resource planning for financial transactions
- Microsoft Excel — Advanced modeling, pivot tables, VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH
- PowerBI/Tableau — Data visualization and dashboarding
- Hyperion — Financial planning and consolidation
- Earned Value Management systems — Defense-specific project accounting
Locations
Lockheed Martin offers finance internships at over 50 locations across the United States. The most common locations for finance interns include:
| Location | Business Area | Key Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Littleton, CO | Space | Orion, GPS III, missile defense |
| Fort Worth, TX | Aeronautics | F-35, F-16 |
| Bethesda, MD | Corporate | Corporate finance, treasury |
| Orlando, FL | Missiles & Fire Control | THAAD, Javelin, JASSM |
| Moorestown, NJ | Rotary & Mission Systems | Aegis, combat systems |
| Marietta, GA | Aeronautics | C-130J, F-35 wings |
| Sunnyvale, CA | Space | Satellites, space intelligence |
| Syracuse, NY | Rotary & Mission Systems | Radar, electronic warfare |
The Littleton, Colorado location is particularly popular for interns interested in space programs, as it houses the Orion spacecraft, GPS satellite, and missile defense programs for Lockheed Martin Space.
Application Process
Timeline
- August-September 2025: Applications open for Summer 2026 internships
- September-December 2025: Resume review and initial screening
- October-February: Interviews and offers
- May-June 2026: Internship begins
How to Apply
- Visit lockheedmartinjobs.com and search for "Finance Intern Summer 2026"
- Create a candidate profile and upload your resume
- Complete the online application, including GPA and graduation date
- If selected, complete a phone or video interview with a hiring manager
- Pass a background check and drug screening
What Lockheed Martin Looks For
- Pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related field
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.5+ is competitive)
- Expected graduation date within 12 months of internship end (for conversion eligibility)
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Leadership experience (clubs, organizations, athletics)
- U.S. citizenship (required for most positions due to security requirements)
Interview Tips
The interview typically focuses on:
- Behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- Basic finance and accounting knowledge (financial statements, time value of money, cost accounting principles)
- Problem-solving scenarios involving financial analysis
- Interest in defense and aerospace industry
- Questions about teamwork and leadership experiences
Conversion to Full-Time
One of the most compelling reasons to pursue a Lockheed Martin finance internship is the pathway to full-time employment. The company uses its intern program as a primary talent pipeline for entry-level finance positions.
Leadership Development Program (LDP)
High-performing interns may be invited to join Lockheed Martin's Finance Leadership Development Program — a multi-year rotational program that accelerates career development through structured rotations across different finance functions and business areas.
The LDP typically includes:
- Three to four rotations of 12-18 months each
- Exposure to different business areas (Aeronautics, Space, RMS, MFC)
- Mentorship from senior finance leaders
- Professional development workshops and training
- Networking with other LDP participants
Conversion Timeline
- Mid-internship: Informal performance feedback from your manager
- End of internship: Formal performance evaluation and recommendation
- Fall semester: Full-time offers extended to top-performing interns
- Post-graduation: Start date typically within three months of graduation
Intern Experience and Culture
Networking and Community
Lockheed Martin organizes structured activities for interns including:
- Executive speaker series with senior leadership
- Cross-functional team projects with interns from other departments
- Social events and community service activities
- Facility tours of manufacturing and test facilities
- Career development workshops
Mentorship
Each intern is typically assigned both a direct manager and an informal mentor. The mentor provides career guidance and helps navigate the company culture, while the manager provides day-to-day direction and performance feedback.
Preparing for Your Internship
If you receive an offer, prepare by:
- Review basic defense finance concepts — Earned Value Management, FAR/DFARS, Cost Accounting Standards
- Sharpen Excel skills — Pivot tables, INDEX-MATCH, financial modeling techniques
- Research your business area — Understand the major programs at your assigned location
- Get PowerBI or Tableau certified — Data visualization skills are increasingly valued
- Read Lockheed Martin's annual report — Understand the company's financial performance and strategic priorities
Browse other Lockheed Martin career opportunities and explore space industry internships across the sector on Zero G Talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lockheed Martin finance internship paid?
Yes. Finance interns are paid competitive hourly rates ranging from approximately $24 to $36 per hour depending on education level and location. Full benefits including medical, dental, and vision are also provided.
Do finance interns need security clearance?
Most finance intern positions do not require active security clearance, but U.S. citizenship is typically required. Some interns may begin the clearance process during their internship if they accept a full-time offer on a program that requires clearance.
Can I intern at Lockheed Martin as a sophomore?
Yes. Lockheed Martin accepts applications from students at all undergraduate levels, including sophomores. However, juniors and seniors are more commonly selected because they are closer to conversion eligibility for full-time roles.
What is the conversion rate from intern to full-time?
While Lockheed Martin does not publish official conversion statistics, industry estimates suggest that 50-70% of interns who perform well and are eligible (graduating within 12 months) receive full-time offers. Conversion is not automatic — it depends on performance, business need, and available headcount.
Can I do a finance internship at Lockheed Martin if I am an international student?
Most Lockheed Martin positions require U.S. citizenship due to ITAR and security clearance requirements. International students may find limited opportunities in non-classified corporate functions, but the vast majority of internships are restricted to U.S. citizens.
