How to get a Lockheed Martin high school internship in 2026
Landing a Lockheed Martin high school internship is competitive — but it's one of the few ways a high school student can get hands-on experience at a defense prime. Here's the step-by-step process for getting in.
Who's eligible
- Age: Must be 16+ at time of internship
- Education: Currently enrolled in high school (rising juniors and seniors preferred)
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen or permanent resident (required for most programs due to ITAR/security regulations)
- GPA: No published minimum, but 3.5+ on a 4.0 scale is competitive
- Interest: STEM focus — engineering, computer science, math, or physics coursework
The application timeline
Lockheed Martin's high school internship openings typically follow this cycle:
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| September–October | Positions posted on lockheedmartin.com/careers |
| November–December | Primary application window |
| January–February | Interviews and offers |
| June–August | Internship period (8–10 weeks) |
Applying early matters. Positions fill on a rolling basis, and the most competitive sites (Denver Space, Fort Worth Aeronautics) close applications earliest.
What you'll actually do
High school interns at LM work on real projects under engineer mentors. Typical assignments include:
- STEM project support — Assisting engineering teams with data analysis, testing documentation, or CAD model updates
- Manufacturing observation — Learning production processes for satellites, missiles, or aircraft components
- Software/IT tasks — Basic scripting, database work, or cybersecurity awareness projects
- Presentation — Most interns present their project to their group at the end of the summer
You won't be designing the next F-35, but you'll see how a $65B defense company actually operates — and that exposure is valuable on college applications.
Lockheed Martin's Space Pathways Scholars program targets high school and early college students interested in space careers. It includes mentorship, project work, and potential pathways to college internships at LM Space. Check lockheedmartin.com for current availability.
How to stand out
- STEM extracurriculars — Robotics clubs (FIRST, VEX), science olympiad, coding competitions, or rocketry clubs demonstrate hands-on interest
- Coursework — AP Physics, AP Computer Science, calculus, or engineering electives
- Clear motivation — In your application, explain specifically why aerospace/defense interests you. Generic "I want to help people" won't work.
- Professional resume — Even for high school, format your resume cleanly: education, relevant coursework, projects, skills, activities
What it pays
High school interns at Lockheed Martin earn $22–$26/hour depending on location and program. For a 40-hour week over 8–10 weeks, that's approximately $7,000–$10,400 before taxes. Housing and relocation are not typically provided for high school interns.
From intern to career
A high school internship at LM creates a direct pipeline:
- High school intern → Strong college application (LM on your resume matters)
- College intern/co-op at LM → Return internships have higher acceptance rates
- Full-time offer → LM hires a significant percentage of its interns into full-time roles
The real value isn't the summer paycheck — it's the 4–6 year head start on an aerospace career.
Browse Lockheed Martin positions on Zero G Talent, or see our LM internships guide, LM careers guide, and aerospace internship guide.
