Lockheed Martin mechanical engineer salary in 2026
$75K–$216K
Salary Range
$110K
Median TC
Lockheed Martin mechanical engineers work on structures, thermal management, mechanisms, and manufacturing processes across aircraft, spacecraft, and missile systems. Base salary ranges from $75,000 at entry to $216,000+ at the principal level.
Salary by level
| Level | Title | Base Salary | With Bonus + 401(k) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Associate ME | $75,000–$95,000 | $86K–$110K |
| E2 | Mechanical Engineer | $85,000–$112,000 | $98K–$130K |
| E3 | Senior ME | $100,000–$130,000 | $115K–$151K |
| E4 | Staff ME | $120,000–$155,000 | $138K–$179K |
| E5 | Senior Staff | $140,000–$180,000 | $161K–$208K |
| E6 | Principal ME | $160,000–$216,000+ | $184K–$249K+ |
Mechanical engineers have the widest salary range at senior levels due to demand from F-35 and missile defense programs.
Key programs for mechanical engineers
- F-35 (Fort Worth, TX) — Structural analysis, landing gear, environmental control systems
- Orion (Denver, CO) — Spacecraft structures, thermal protection, mechanisms
- THAAD (Huntsville, AL) — Missile structures, launcher mechanisms
- LM 400 satellite bus (Sunnyvale, CA) — Deployable structures, thermal management
For the full LM engineering salary breakdown, see our LM engineer salary guide and LM total compensation analysis.
