Lockheed Martin jobs in Houston TX in 2026
Lockheed Martin's Houston operation sits in the Clear Lake area near NASA's Johnson Space Center, and its primary mission is the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle — the spacecraft designed to carry astronauts to the Moon on Artemis missions. With the Artemis program ramping through 2026, Lockheed Martin Houston is one of the most active human spaceflight engineering sites in the country.
What Lockheed Martin does in Houston
Lockheed Martin's Houston presence is tightly coupled to NASA JSC and the Orion program. The team here handles:
- Orion spacecraft engineering: Systems engineering, flight software, avionics integration, GN&C (guidance, navigation, and control), crew interface design, and thermal protection systems
- Orion mission operations: Working alongside NASA's Mission Operations Directorate to develop Orion flight rules, procedures, and mission timelines
- Artemis mission planning: Trajectory analysis, abort mode planning, and operations concept development for lunar missions
- Hardware integration and testing: Some Orion components are integrated and tested at facilities near JSC before shipping to Kennedy Space Center for final assembly
- Orion sustainment: Post-flight refurbishment and production support for subsequent Artemis vehicles
Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for Orion, with a contract value exceeding $20 billion through the Artemis program. Houston is the engineering center for Orion operations, while final assembly and integration happen at the Operations and Checkout (O&C) Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Lockheed Martin splits Orion work between Houston and KSC. Houston handles systems engineering, software, mission operations, and technical management. KSC handles vehicle integration, testing, and launch processing. If you want to work on Orion design and mission planning, Houston is the site. If you want hands-on hardware integration and launch operations, look at Lockheed Martin's KSC positions instead. Some engineers rotate between both locations during critical program phases.
Roles available in Houston
| Role Category | Typical Titles | Level Range | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineering | Systems Engineer, Integration Lead, V&V Engineer | L2–L5 | $78K–$165K |
| Software Engineering | Flight Software Engineer, GN&C Developer, Sim Engineer | L2–L5 | $82K–$160K |
| Mission Operations | Mission Analyst, Flight Dynamics Engineer, Ops Planner | L2–L4 | $75K–$140K |
| Avionics/EE | Avionics Engineer, Power Systems, EMI/EMC | L2–L4 | $80K–$150K |
| Thermal/Structures | Thermal Analyst, Structural Engineer, TPS Engineer | L2–L4 | $78K–$145K |
| Program Management | Program Manager, IPT Lead, Scheduler, CAM | L3–L5 | $95K–$170K |
| Quality/Safety | Quality Engineer, Safety Engineer, Reliability | L2–L4 | $72K–$135K |
The most in-demand roles in Houston are systems engineers and flight software engineers with experience in human-rated spacecraft. Orion's crew safety requirements create demand for engineers who understand human factors, life support interfaces, and NASA's rigorous human-rating standards (NPR 8705.2).
Salary and Houston cost of living
Houston has a favorable cost of living compared to other major Lockheed Martin sites (Denver, Sunnyvale, D.C. area). The Clear Lake area where most Lockheed Martin Houston employees live offers middle-class suburban housing at prices well below the national average for a metro area of Houston's size.
| Role (Mid-career) | Houston Salary | Denver Equivalent | Sunnyvale Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer (L3) | $105K | $112K | $132K |
| Software Engineer (L3) | $110K | $118K | $140K |
| Program Manager (L4) | $135K | $142K | $165K |
| Quality Engineer (L3) | $92K | $98K | $115K |
Houston cost of living factors:
- Housing: Median home prices in Clear Lake/Webster/League City run $280K-$380K. Significantly cheaper than Denver ($500K+) or Sunnyvale ($1.5M+).
- No state income tax: Texas has no state income tax, which adds 3-8% to your effective take-home pay compared to Colorado or California.
- Commute: The Clear Lake area is 25-30 minutes southeast of central Houston. Most Lockheed Martin employees live within 15-20 minutes of the office. Houston traffic is notorious, but the JSC/Clear Lake area is somewhat insulated from the worst congestion.
Most Lockheed Martin Houston employees live in Clear Lake, Webster, League City, or Friendswood. These communities surround JSC and offer good schools, suburban housing, and reasonable commutes (10-20 minutes). League City has the best combination of newer housing stock and school ratings. Galveston Island is 30-40 minutes south and some employees live there for the beach proximity, though hurricane risk is a consideration. Avoid living north of I-610 — the commute through Houston traffic to Clear Lake can exceed an hour.
The Orion program and Artemis context
Understanding the Orion program is essential context for anyone considering Lockheed Martin Houston.
Orion is the crew capsule for NASA's Artemis program. It launches on top of the SLS rocket, carries up to four astronauts, and is the vehicle that will transport crews to and from lunar orbit. Lockheed Martin has been the Orion prime contractor since 2006, and the program has evolved through several phases:
- Artemis I (2022): Uncrewed test flight around the Moon. Successful. Orion performed well.
- Artemis II (targeting 2025-2026): First crewed Artemis flight. Four astronauts will orbit the Moon and return. This is the mission driving the current intensity of Houston engineering activity.
- Artemis III (targeting 2026-2027): First lunar landing since Apollo. Orion will dock with SpaceX's Human Landing System (HLS) in lunar orbit.
- Artemis IV+: Sustained presence, Gateway station assembly, and recurring missions.
The program ramp means Lockheed Martin Houston is hiring and will continue hiring through at least 2028. Each Artemis mission requires a new Orion capsule (the crew module is not fully reusable, though some components are recovered), so the production cadence creates ongoing engineering and program management demand.
Other Houston aerospace employers
Houston's aerospace job market extends well beyond Lockheed Martin. The proximity to JSC creates a dense cluster of space employers.
| Employer | Houston Headcount | Primary Work |
|---|---|---|
| NASA JSC | ~10,000 (civil + contractor) | ISS, Artemis, astronaut training |
| Lockheed Martin | ~1,200 | Orion spacecraft |
| Boeing | ~800 | Starliner, ISS support |
| Jacobs Engineering | ~2,000 | JSC mission operations prime |
| KBR | ~1,500 | ISS operations, engineering support |
| Axiom Space | ~500 | Commercial space station |
| Intuitive Machines | ~400 | Lunar landers, services |
| Sierra Space | ~100 | Dream Chaser operations planning |
If Lockheed Martin Houston does not work out, you can change employers without changing cities. The Houston space community is tight-knit, and engineers frequently move between NASA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Jacobs, and the newer commercial companies. Axiom Space and Intuitive Machines represent growing Houston-based companies with strong hiring trajectories.
Most Lockheed Martin Houston positions require U.S. citizenship due to ITAR restrictions on the Orion program. Some roles require a Secret clearance, particularly those involving Orion's Department of Defense interfaces or classified mission planning. The majority of Orion engineering positions do not require TS/SCI — this is primarily a NASA human spaceflight program, not a classified intelligence program. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, your options at Lockheed Martin Houston are very limited.
Working conditions and culture at Lockheed Martin Houston
Lockheed Martin Houston operates in office buildings near JSC, not at a factory or manufacturing facility. The work environment is white-collar engineering: open-plan office areas, conference rooms, and collaboration spaces. Some hardware lab space exists for avionics integration and testing activities.
The culture reflects the human spaceflight program's mission-driven intensity. Engineers are working on a spacecraft that will carry astronauts to the Moon — the stakes are high and the NASA customer is deeply involved in daily engineering decisions. NASA engineers and Lockheed Martin engineers often sit in the same meetings, review the same designs, and solve problems together. This NASA-contractor integration is more intense at Houston than at most defense programs.
Work hours are generally 40-45 per week during normal operations. During critical program milestones (design reviews, test campaigns, mission preparation), hours can push to 50-55 per week. The pace increases significantly in the months before an Artemis mission when the engineering team supports mission simulations, procedure development, and flight readiness reviews.
Lockheed Martin Houston has a younger demographic than some LM sites because Orion attracts engineers specifically interested in human spaceflight. Many came from NASA co-ops, JSC contractor positions, or university human spaceflight research programs. The community is also engaged — engineers participate in local STEM outreach, Space Center Houston events, and professional organizations like AIAA.
Remote work at Lockheed Martin Houston is limited. Most Orion engineering work requires on-site presence for collaboration, lab access, and NASA integration meetings. Some program management and technical writing roles offer hybrid schedules (2-3 days in office), but fully remote positions are rare for this site.
How to apply
Lockheed Martin posts Houston positions on lockheedmartinjobs.com. Filter by location "Houston, TX" or "Webster, TX" to find current openings. Most positions are tagged with the Orion program or Space business area.
Application tips specific to Houston:
- Tailor your resume to human spaceflight if applying for Orion roles. NASA-specific experience (even from internships or co-ops) stands out.
- Mention any DO-178C, human-rating, or safety-critical systems experience — Orion's crew safety requirements make these skills premium.
- If you have JSC contractor experience (Jacobs, KBR, Boeing), your knowledge of NASA processes transfers directly to Lockheed Martin Orion work.
- Lockheed Martin runs campus recruiting at Rice University, University of Houston, Texas A&M, and UT Austin. These are the primary feeder schools for Houston positions.
Frequently asked questions
What does Lockheed Martin do in Houston?
Lockheed Martin's Houston office is the engineering center for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, the crew capsule for NASA's Artemis lunar missions. The team handles systems engineering, flight software, avionics, mission operations, and program management for Orion. The office is in the Clear Lake area near NASA's Johnson Space Center.
How much do Lockheed Martin Houston employees make?
Engineering salaries range from $78K for entry-level (Level 2) to $165K for senior staff (Level 5). Program managers earn $95K-$170K. Mid-career systems engineers (Level 3, 5-8 years experience) typically earn $100K-$120K. Houston's lack of state income tax and moderate housing costs make these salaries stretch further than equivalent positions in Denver or the Bay Area.
Is Lockheed Martin hiring in Houston in 2026?
Yes. The Artemis program ramp through Artemis II, III, and IV drives continued hiring at the Houston office. Systems engineers, flight software engineers, and mission operations specialists are the most in-demand roles. Check lockheedmartinjobs.com with Houston, TX as the location filter for current openings.
How does Lockheed Martin Houston compare to NASA JSC?
Lockheed Martin is the Orion prime contractor; NASA JSC is the customer and oversees the program. Working at Lockheed Martin means you are on the contractor side — generally faster-paced, more focused on specific deliverables, and with private-sector compensation and benefits. Working at NASA means civil service with GS pay, stronger retirement benefits (FERS pension + TSP), and broader mission exposure beyond any single program. Many engineers start at one and eventually move to the other.
What is the Lockheed Martin Houston campus like?
The Houston campus consists of office buildings in the Clear Lake/Webster area, within a short drive of NASA JSC. The facilities include engineering office space, some hardware labs for avionics integration, and conference areas for NASA coordination meetings. It is not a manufacturing facility — there is no factory floor or cleanroom. The campus is relatively small compared to Lockheed Martin's Denver, Fort Worth, or Marietta operations. On-site amenities include a cafeteria and parking. The surrounding area has standard suburban commercial options (restaurants, retail) within a few minutes' drive.
Can Lockheed Martin Houston employees transfer to other sites?
Yes. Lockheed Martin has a strong internal mobility culture, and transfers between sites are common. An engineer who starts in Houston on Orion can transfer to Denver (GPS III, SBIRS), Sunnyvale (classified programs), or any other Lockheed Martin Space location. The internal job posting system makes cross-site opportunities visible. Some engineers rotate between Houston and KSC during Orion vehicle processing campaigns, gaining experience at both sites.
Browse Lockheed Martin careers on Zero G Talent. For Houston-area roles, see NASA JSC jobs and Axiom Space careers. Compare with our Lockheed Martin salary guide and explore aerospace engineering jobs nationwide.
