Lockheed Martin Internships in 2026: Programs, Pay, and How to Get Hired
Lockheed Martin internships in 2026: programs, pay, and how to get hired
Lockheed Martin hires approximately 4,000 interns and co-ops annually — one of the largest internship programs in the defense and aerospace industry. Interns work on active programs including the F-35, Orion crew capsule (Artemis II targeting April 2026 launch), GPS III satellites, and classified Skunk Works projects. With the company posting $75 billion in 2025 revenue and a record $194 billion backlog, the demand for early-career talent isn't slowing down.
Intern programs
Summer internship
The standard 10-12 week program running May/June through August. Available across all four business areas (Aeronautics, Space, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems) and nearly all major sites.
- Pay: $22-$38/hour depending on degree level and location
- Housing: No company-provided housing, but some sites offer relocation assistance
- Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a degree program (BS, MS, or PhD). Most positions require US citizenship for security clearance eligibility
- Application timing: Fall (September-November) for the following summer. Early application matters — positions fill on a rolling basis
College Hire Leadership Program (CLP)
A 2-year rotational program for recent graduates. Three rotations across different functions within one business area. Approximately 200 slots per year with competitive selection. CLP participants get structured mentorship and exposure to multiple engineering disciplines before settling into a permanent role.
Engineering Management Development Program (EMDP)
A 3-year advanced program for early-career engineers interested in technical management. Combines engineering assignments with leadership development. Typically requires a master's degree and strong academic performance.
Co-op program
Alternating semesters of work and school, typically spanning 3-4 rotations over 2-3 years. Co-ops get deeper program exposure than summer interns and often have higher conversion rates to full-time offers.
Many Lockheed Martin intern positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance, which means US citizenship is mandatory. Some positions — particularly at Skunk Works (Palmdale) and classified satellite programs (Sunnyvale) — require existing clearances. If you're clearance-eligible, explicitly state this on your application. It's a significant differentiator.
What interns work on
| Business Area | Location | Programs | Intern Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics | Fort Worth, TX; Palmdale, CA | F-35, Skunk Works | Manufacturing, avionics, flight test |
| Space | Denver, CO; Sunnyvale, CA; Huntsville, AL | Orion, GPS III, missile defense | Spacecraft systems, satellite design |
| MFC | Grand Prairie, TX; Orlando, FL | THAAD, PAC-3, Javelin | GNC, propulsion, systems eng |
| RMS | Owego, NY; Moorestown, NJ | Sikorsky, Aegis, C4ISR | Software, radar, mission systems |
For space-specific internships, target the Denver/Littleton, CO campus (Orion assembly and testing) or Sunnyvale, CA (GPS satellites and classified space programs). Huntsville handles Space/MFC crossover roles including the Next Generation Interceptor.
Pay compared to other aerospace internships
| Company | Undergrad Pay | Graduate Pay | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin | $22-$38/hr | $28-$42/hr | High (CLP: ~90%) |
| SpaceX | $28-$40/hr | $30-$45/hr | 70-85% |
| Northrop Grumman | $20.75-$37.25/hr | $21.50-$46.25/hr | 76% |
| Boeing | $22-$35/hr | $28-$40/hr | ~60% |
| Blue Origin | ~$32.75/hr + $1,200/mo housing | Similar | 42% |
| NASA OSTEM | ~$20.50/hr | ~$24.75/hr | No direct pipeline |
Lockheed Martin's intern pay is competitive with defense peers and slightly below commercial space companies (SpaceX, Blue Origin). The key differentiator is the conversion pipeline — the CLP program has one of the highest conversion rates in the industry, and co-ops who complete multiple rotations are almost guaranteed an offer.
Application process
Apply online at lockheedmartinjobs.com. Filter for "Intern" or "Co-op." The ATS is keyword-sensitive — use exact terms from the job description.
Career fairs — Lockheed recruits heavily at AIAA, SWE, NSBE, SHPE, and university career fairs. Face-to-face interactions at these events often fast-track applications past the ATS.
Phone screen — 15-20 minutes with a recruiter. Background, clearance eligibility, location preferences.
Technical interview — 30-45 minutes, usually virtual. Expect domain-relevant questions at an undergraduate level plus behavioral questions (STAR format). Less intense than SpaceX interviews — Lockheed is assessing knowledge and curiosity, not first-principles derivation.
Offer — Conditional on background check and clearance eligibility verification.
What actually helps your application
- Relevant coursework and projects: Highlight senior design projects, capstone work, and hands-on lab experience. Lockheed values practical engineering over theoretical research for intern roles.
- Clearance eligibility: State "US Citizen, eligible for security clearance" on your resume if applicable.
- Engineering competitions: Formula SAE, AIAA design competitions, rocketry clubs, robotics teams. These demonstrate initiative beyond coursework.
- GPA: 3.0 minimum is standard. 3.5+ strengthens your application for competitive programs like CLP.
- Prior internship experience: Returning interns and those with any aerospace/defense experience get preferential consideration.
Lockheed Martin fills intern positions on a rolling basis. Applications that open in September for the following summer may be substantially filled by December. The formal deadline may say January or February, but many positions are already matched by then. Apply the first week postings go live.
Benefits of a Lockheed Martin internship
Beyond pay, Lockheed interns receive:
- Health insurance (medical, dental, vision available to interns)
- Life and disability coverage
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Access to employee resource groups and networking events
- Savings plan eligibility
- 9/80 schedule at most sites (every other Friday off)
The 9/80 schedule is a significant quality-of-life benefit — most other intern programs require standard 5-day weeks.
From intern to full-time
The most reliable path from intern to permanent Lockheed Martin employee:
- Summer internship (1-2 summers) — Get exposure, build relationships
- Return offer or CLP application — High-performing interns receive direct offers
- CLP (2 years) — Three rotations across functions
- Permanent placement — Into a specific program at GS-equivalent L2/L3 level
Alternative path: Co-op (3-4 rotations over 2-3 years) → Direct hire upon graduation. Co-ops often skip the CLP stage entirely because they already have deep program knowledge.
Browse Lockheed Martin careers for full-time roles, or compare internships at Northrop Grumman (2,000+ interns, 76% conversion), SpaceX ($28-$40/hr, 70-85% conversion), Boeing, or NASA (OSTEM + Pathways programs).
