Lockheed Martin jobs in Colorado Springs CO in 2026: missile defense, Space Force, and what they pay
Colorado Springs is where Lockheed Martin does its most sensitive military space work. The city is home to several Space Force installations, NORAD, and the combined space operations center that tracks every object in orbit. Lockheed Martin's Colorado Springs presence exists because the customer is here, and the work is almost entirely classified. If you want to work on missile defense, space domain awareness, or next-generation military satellite operations, this is the location.
Why Colorado Springs matters for defense space
Colorado Springs is the operational hub of the U.S. military space enterprise. The following installations create the demand for Lockheed Martin's workforce here:
- Peterson Space Force Base — Headquarters of United States Space Command and Space Operations Command
- Schriever Space Force Base — Home of Space Delta 8 (satellite communications), Space Delta 9 (orbital warfare), and the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC)
- Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station — The iconic underground complex housing NORAD and backup space operations capabilities
- Fort Carson — Army post with missile defense and air defense units
Lockheed Martin holds multiple contracts to provide systems engineering, software development, operations support, and integration services to these installations. The work involves keeping America's military space systems operational while simultaneously developing the next generation of capabilities.
The programs
Missile defense systems engineering
Lockheed Martin provides systems engineering and integration support for the Missile Defense Agency's space-based sensing architecture. This includes the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) follow-on programs and the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR, also called NGG) ground system.
In Colorado Springs, the focus is on ground segment operations: receiving missile warning data from satellites (designed and built at the Littleton campus), processing it, and delivering alerts to combatant commanders within seconds. The latency requirements are extreme, and the software systems are complex.
Space domain awareness
Space domain awareness (SDA) means knowing where everything in orbit is, what it is doing, and whether it is a threat. Lockheed Martin supports the Space Force's space surveillance mission through contracts that provide software, analysis tools, and operations support for tracking over 40,000 objects in orbit.
This work is becoming more critical as both commercial space traffic and adversary anti-satellite capabilities increase. In 2026, SDA is one of the fastest-growing mission areas at the Colorado Springs site, and hiring for software engineers, data analysts, and systems engineers in this area is active.
Space command and control
The Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC) at Schriever is the nerve center for U.S. and allied space operations. Lockheed Martin holds the primary systems integration contract for the CSpOC, providing the software and engineering support that keeps the center running.
Roles supporting CSpOC include software developers (building and maintaining the operational software), systems administrators, cybersecurity engineers, and mission operations specialists. This is shift-based work for some positions, supporting 24/7 operations.
Nearly everything at the Colorado Springs Lockheed Martin site is classified. Job postings will describe roles in general terms. You will not get specifics about programs until after you have clearance and are read into the relevant program. If the ambiguity of not knowing exactly what you will work on before starting bothers you, Colorado Springs may not be the right fit. If you are comfortable with that and motivated by national security work, it is one of the most impactful Lockheed Martin locations.
Types of jobs and what they pay
Colorado Springs roles are concentrated in software, systems engineering, and operations rather than hardware manufacturing. Unlike the Littleton campus, where satellites are physically built, Colorado Springs is primarily office-based with some lab and operations center work.
| Role category | Salary range | Clearance required |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer (ground systems) | $95K–$160K | TS/SCI |
| Systems Engineer (C2/mission systems) | $100K–$170K | TS/SCI |
| Cybersecurity Engineer | $100K–$165K | TS/SCI |
| Data Scientist/Analyst (SDA) | $90K–$150K | TS/SCI |
| Mission Operations Specialist | $75K–$120K | Secret or TS |
| Program Manager | $110K–$175K | TS/SCI |
| Network Engineer | $90K–$145K | TS/SCI |
| Systems Administrator | $75K–$120K | TS/SCI |
| Test Engineer | $85K–$140K | TS/SCI |
| Intelligence Analyst | $80K–$135K | TS/SCI w/ poly |
Salaries at Colorado Springs are slightly lower than Denver/Littleton for equivalent roles, reflecting the lower cost of living. However, positions requiring TS/SCI with polygraph typically command 5-15% premiums over basic Secret clearance roles.
Clearance requirements
This is the critical factor for Colorado Springs. Virtually all technical roles require Top Secret/SCI clearance. Many require a polygraph examination (CI poly or full-scope poly depending on the program).
If you currently have TS/SCI clearance (from military service, another contractor, or a government agency), you are an immediately attractive candidate. Lockheed Martin can cross-verify an existing clearance faster than initiating a new investigation.
If you do not have a clearance but are a US citizen with a clean background, Lockheed Martin will sponsor the investigation. Expect:
- Secret — 3-12 months processing time
- Top Secret — 9-18 months
- TS/SCI with polygraph — 12-24 months
During the investigation period, you may be able to start in an unclassified role or perform administrative tasks while waiting for adjudication. This varies by program and hiring manager.
Colorado Springs has one of the highest concentrations of military veterans in the country, and Lockheed Martin actively recruits from the local military community. If you are transitioning from the Space Force, Air Force, Army Space Command, or intelligence community, your existing clearance and domain expertise are exactly what these programs need. Lockheed Martin participates in SkillBridge and similar transition programs. See our post on Lockheed Martin SkillBridge for details.
Living in Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs offers a compelling combination of affordability (by Colorado standards), outdoor recreation, and a strong military/aerospace community.
Cost of living
- Housing — Median home price $400K-$500K, significantly less than Denver ($550K-$650K) and much less than Boulder ($700K+). Rentals: $1,200-$1,600/month for a one-bedroom.
- State income tax — Colorado flat rate of 4.4%. No local income tax.
- Overall — About 15-20% cheaper than Denver for equivalent housing, with lower restaurant and entertainment costs.
Lifestyle
- Outdoor recreation — Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and multiple ski resorts within 2-3 hours. The trail network rivals Boulder's.
- Military community — Multiple bases mean a large military population. The culture is more conservative and military-oriented than Denver or Boulder.
- Growth — Colorado Springs has been one of the fastest-growing cities in Colorado, bringing new restaurants, housing developments, and infrastructure. Traffic has increased accordingly but remains manageable compared to Denver.
Other employers
If you ever want to change companies without moving, Colorado Springs has:
- Northrop Grumman — Significant missile defense and space operations presence
- L3Harris — Intelligence and space operations support
- Raytheon (RTX) — Missile defense, space sensors
- SAIC, Leidos, Booz Allen — Government services contractors
- United States Space Force — Direct government employment
The defense aerospace job market in Colorado Springs is deep enough to sustain a career without relocation.
How to apply
Search for Lockheed Martin Colorado Springs positions on the company careers site using location filter "Colorado Springs, CO." You can also browse all Lockheed Martin jobs or search space jobs in Colorado on Zero G Talent.
For information about the broader Colorado Lockheed Martin presence, read our Lockheed Martin jobs in Colorado guide. For salary details across all locations, see Lockheed Martin salary data and Lockheed Martin careers overview.
