Lockheed Martin jobs in Colorado in 2026: 10,000+ employees across the Front Range
Colorado is Lockheed Martin's space capital. The company's Space division is headquartered in Littleton (just south of Denver), and when you add the Colorado Springs operations and smaller satellite offices along the Front Range, Lockheed Martin employs over 10,000 people in the state. That makes it one of the largest private employers in Colorado and the single largest space industry employer between the coasts.
The three Colorado hubs
Littleton / Waterton Canyon (Space HQ)
The Waterton Canyon campus in Littleton is the headquarters of Lockheed Martin Space, the business area responsible for national security satellites, civil space programs, and commercial space systems. This is the largest Lockheed Martin facility in Colorado and one of the largest in the company, with roughly 6,000-7,000 employees on site.
Major programs based at Waterton:
- GPS III/IIIF — The next-generation GPS satellite constellation. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor, and design, integration, and testing happen in Littleton.
- Orion crew vehicle — While final assembly is at Cape Canaveral, spacecraft design and systems engineering are managed from Denver.
- SBIRS/NGG — Space-Based Infrared System and its successor, Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared. These missile warning satellites are designed and built in Littleton.
- Commercial satellites — LM produces commercial communication and Earth observation satellites for customers worldwide.
- Advanced Programs — Classified space systems that cannot be discussed in detail but represent a significant portion of the Littleton workforce.
The Waterton campus has satellite manufacturing clean rooms, thermal vacuum test chambers, antenna test ranges, and integration facilities. Engineers here work the full lifecycle: design, build, test, and launch support. For more on the Littleton campus specifically, see our post on Lockheed Martin Littleton CO.
Colorado Springs
Lockheed Martin's Colorado Springs operation focuses on missile defense, military space operations, and Space Force support. The work here is heavily defense-oriented and almost entirely classified. About 2,500-3,000 employees work at the Colorado Springs facilities.
Key programs include support for the Space Force's Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), missile defense systems engineering, and next-generation space domain awareness. For a deep dive into Colorado Springs specifically, see our dedicated post on Lockheed Martin jobs in Colorado Springs.
Boulder
Lockheed Martin's Boulder campus, located at the base of the Flatirons, houses the company's Advanced Technology Center (ATC). This is Lockheed Martin's internal R&D lab, and it works on bleeding-edge technologies that feed into future programs. Read more in our Lockheed Martin Boulder CO guide.
Research areas at ATC include:
- Quantum computing and quantum sensing
- Optical systems and advanced imaging
- Autonomous systems and AI
- Advanced materials and nanotechnology
- Space solar power concepts
Boulder roles tend to require advanced degrees (MS or PhD) and offer a more academic research environment than the production-oriented work at Littleton or the operations focus at Colorado Springs.
Littleton, Colorado Springs, and Boulder are each 60-90 minutes apart by car along I-25 and Highway 36. You cannot easily commute between them. When applying, be deliberate about which location you target. Each has a very different focus area and lifestyle. Transfers between sites are possible after you are hired, but they are not automatic.
Types of roles available in Colorado
Colorado Lockheed Martin roles span all disciplines, but certain specialties are concentrated here:
| Role category | Primary location | Salary range | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite Systems Engineer | Littleton | $105K–$170K | GPS III, SBIRS/NGG |
| RF/Payload Engineer | Littleton | $100K–$165K | GPS, commsats |
| Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer | Littleton | $90K–$155K | All satellite programs |
| Software Engineer | All sites | $95K–$170K | Ground systems, flight software |
| Missile Defense Systems Engineer | Colorado Springs | $100K–$165K | Classified |
| Space Domain Awareness Analyst | Colorado Springs | $85K–$140K | Space Force support |
| Research Scientist/Engineer | Boulder | $105K–$180K | ATC R&D |
| Thermal Engineer | Littleton | $90K–$150K | Satellite thermal control |
| Power Systems Engineer | Littleton | $95K–$155K | Satellite EPS, solar arrays |
| Integration & Test Engineer | Littleton | $85K–$145K | All satellite programs |
| Program Manager | All sites | $110K–$175K | Various |
| Manufacturing Technician | Littleton | $50K–$80K | Satellite production |
Clearance requirements in Colorado
Colorado has the highest concentration of classified programs of any Lockheed Martin state. Expect the following:
- Littleton (Space) — About 70% of engineering roles require Secret clearance or higher. GPS and SBIRS are classified. Advanced Programs requires TS/SCI with polygraph.
- Colorado Springs — Nearly 100% of technical roles require TS/SCI or higher. This is defense and intelligence work.
- Boulder (ATC) — Mixed. Some research positions are unclassified. Others that feed into national security programs require clearance.
If you do not have a clearance, focus on the commercial satellite programs at Littleton or the unclassified research positions at Boulder. Lockheed Martin sponsors clearances for new hires, but having an existing clearance significantly speeds up the process and expands your options.
Cost of living and compensation context
Colorado's Front Range has experienced significant cost of living increases over the past decade, particularly in the Denver metro area and Boulder. Lockheed Martin salaries are adjusted for the Colorado market but may not fully offset housing costs.
- Littleton/Denver area — Median home price around $550K-$650K. One-bedroom apartment rentals: $1,500-$2,000/month. This is higher than many other Lockheed Martin locations (Fort Worth, Huntsville, Moorestown) but lower than Sunnyvale, CA.
- Colorado Springs — More affordable than Denver. Median home price $400K-$500K. Rentals $1,200-$1,600/month.
- Boulder — The most expensive option. Median home price $700K+. Many Boulder employees live in Louisville, Broomfield, or Longmont to reduce costs.
Colorado has a state income tax of 4.4% (flat rate), which is moderate compared to California (up to 13.3%) but higher than Texas or Florida (zero). Factor this into salary comparisons with Lockheed Martin Cape Canaveral or Fort Worth roles.
Colorado consistently ranks among the top states for quality of life in aerospace. The combination of mountain recreation (skiing, hiking, climbing), 300+ days of sunshine, and a thriving tech and aerospace community makes it a top destination for engineers. Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Raytheon, and United Launch Alliance all have major Colorado presences, creating a dense professional network.
How Colorado compares to other Lockheed Martin locations
| Factor | Colorado | Fort Worth, TX | Sunnyvale, CA | Cape Canaveral, FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Space/satellites | Aeronautics/F-35 | Classified space | Launch operations |
| Cost of living | High | Moderate | Very high | Moderate |
| State income tax | 4.4% | 0% | Up to 13.3% | 0% |
| Outdoor recreation | Excellent | Limited | Good | Beach/water |
| Clearance needed | Most roles | Many roles | Nearly all | Some roles |
How to apply
Lockheed Martin posts Colorado positions on their careers site. Use location filters for "Littleton, CO," "Denver, CO," "Colorado Springs, CO," or "Boulder, CO" to find relevant openings.
Browse all Lockheed Martin jobs on Zero G Talent, or search for space jobs in Colorado across all companies.
For salary details, see Lockheed Martin salary data and Lockheed Martin engineer salary breakdown. For information about the Colorado Springs campus specifically, see our dedicated Colorado Springs guide.
