Lockheed Martin project manager jobs in 2026
Lockheed Martin typically lists 200-400 project and program management openings at any given time across its four business areas. The titles blur together (project manager, program manager, IPT lead, program planner), but they all share one thing: you're responsible for delivering something to a customer on time and on budget.
Current openings landscape
Lockheed Martin's project management openings in 2026 cluster around several themes driven by active programs and new contract starts:
Artemis and Orion (Littleton, CO): NASA's return to the Moon keeps Orion production running, with PM positions supporting spacecraft integration, testing, and mission planning. These roles involve managing NASA milestone reviews, subcontractor coordination, and technical baseline management.
F-35 sustainment (Fort Worth, TX; multiple global sites): The F-35 fleet is growing worldwide, and sustainment (maintenance, logistics, upgrades) generates hundreds of PM positions. Sustainment PMs manage depot operations, spare parts supply chains, and upgrade kits across dozens of allied nations.
Next Gen OPIR (El Segundo, CA; Littleton, CO): The multi-billion-dollar missile warning satellite replacement program is in active development, creating PM openings for satellite subsystem management, ground segment integration, and government interface.
Hypersonic weapons (various locations): Lockheed Martin's classified and unclassified hypersonic programs generate PM demand for engineers who can manage rapid prototyping and test schedules.
Digital transformation (enterprise-wide): Lockheed Martin's push toward model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital twin technology, and agile software development creates PM openings for people who can manage IT-centric projects alongside traditional hardware programs.
| Business Area | Location | Hot Programs for PM Hiring | Est. Open PM Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space | Littleton, CO; El Segundo, CA | Orion, GPS III, OPIR, classified | 80-100 |
| Aeronautics | Fort Worth, TX; Palmdale, CA; Marietta, GA | F-35, F-16V, classified | 90-120 |
| Missiles & Fire Control | Orlando, FL; Dallas, TX; Camden, AR | PAC-3, THAAD, JASSM, hypersonic | 50-70 |
| Rotary & Mission Systems | Moorestown, NJ; Syracuse, NY; Owego, NY | Aegis, CH-53K, IT services | 60-80 |
What Lockheed Martin looks for in PM candidates
The job postings all sound similar, but here's what actually matters in the hiring decision:
Must-haves:
- US citizenship (virtually all positions)
- Security clearance eligibility (Secret minimum, TS/SCI for many)
- Bachelor's degree (engineering, business, or related field)
- 5+ years of project/program management experience
- PMP certification or willingness to obtain within 12 months
Strong differentiators:
- Active security clearance (especially TS/SCI for Space and classified programs)
- EVMS experience and demonstrated cost/schedule management
- Prior Lockheed Martin or defense contractor PM experience
- Earned Value Management Certification
- Military program office (ACAT) experience
- Subcontract management experience
Nice-to-haves:
- Master's degree (MBA or MS Engineering)
- Six Sigma certification
- SAFe Agile certification for IT/software PM roles
- International program experience (foreign military sales)
- Proposals and capture experience
About 60% of Lockheed Martin PM openings list an active clearance as "required" rather than "ability to obtain." If you don't have a clearance, your applicant pool drops significantly. The most efficient path is to get cleared at your current employer or through an entry-level position, then move into PM. Alternatively, target the 40% of postings that sponsor clearances, and be prepared for a longer onboarding timeline.
Types of PM roles at Lockheed Martin
The titles in job postings can be confusing. Here's what they actually mean:
Program Manager: Owns an entire program or contract. Responsible for all cost, schedule, and technical performance. Interfaces directly with the government customer. This is the top PM role and requires significant experience.
Project Manager: Manages a portion of a larger program. Owns specific deliverables, workstreams, or phases. Reports to the Program Manager. This is the most common entry point for PM roles.
IPT Lead (Integrated Product Team Lead): Manages a cross-functional team responsible for a specific subsystem or work package. Part technical leader, part project manager. Common in hardware programs where subsystems need dedicated management.
Program Planner / Scheduler: Maintains the integrated master schedule (IMS) using Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project. Performs critical path analysis, schedule risk assessment, and milestone tracking. This is a specialized PM role that's more analytical than people-management focused.
Deputy Program Manager: Second-in-command to the PM. Handles day-to-day execution while the PM focuses on customer relationship and strategic issues. Often a stepping stone to full PM.
Subcontract Program Manager: Manages Lockheed Martin's relationship with subcontractors. Responsible for subcontractor cost, schedule, and technical performance. Requires negotiation skills and understanding of FAR/DFARS contracting regulations.
| Role Title | Scope | Typical Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Planner | Schedule management | L2-L3 | $85,000 - $125,000 |
| Project Manager | Work package / deliverable | L3 | $110,000 - $150,000 |
| IPT Lead | Subsystem team | L3 | $110,000 - $148,000 |
| Deputy Program Manager | Program execution | L3-L4 | $125,000 - $175,000 |
| Subcontract PM | Supplier management | L3-L4 | $115,000 - $165,000 |
| Program Manager | Full program | L4-L5 | $145,000 - $220,000 |
The application and interview process
Lockheed Martin's PM hiring process is structured and thorough:
Step 1: Online application (1-3 weeks for screening). Apply through lockheedmartin.com/careers. Your resume is screened by recruiters and the hiring manager. Tailor your resume to the specific posting, using keywords from the job description.
Step 2: Phone screen with recruiter (30 minutes). Basic qualifications check: clearance status, salary expectations, relocation willingness, PMP status, availability.
Step 3: Technical/behavioral interview with hiring manager (60 minutes). This is the core interview. Expect questions about:
- How you've managed cost overruns or schedule delays
- Your experience with EVMS and earned value analysis
- How you've handled difficult customer relationships
- Specific examples of risk management and mitigation
- Your approach to managing subcontractors
Step 4: Panel interview (60-90 minutes). For Level 4+ positions, you'll meet a panel of 3-5 people including the hiring manager's peers and the next-level manager. The panel evaluates leadership, communication, and cultural fit.
Step 5: Offer (1-2 weeks after final interview). Lockheed Martin HR extends the offer. Negotiation room exists for salary (usually 5-10% above the initial offer), sign-on bonus (for experienced hires with clearances), and relocation.
Prepare 5-6 STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that cover cost management, schedule recovery, customer conflict resolution, risk management, and team leadership. Lockheed Martin interviews are behavioral-heavy. Quantify your results: "Recovered 3 months of schedule slip through parallel testing" or "Managed a $45M annual budget with CPI of 1.02." Generic answers about "collaboration" and "communication" won't differentiate you.
PM salary comparison across defense contractors
| Company | Project Manager | Senior PM | PM Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin | $110,000 - $150,000 | $145,000 - $190,000 | $180,000 - $240,000 |
| Northrop Grumman | $108,000 - $148,000 | $140,000 - $188,000 | $175,000 - $235,000 |
| Boeing | $105,000 - $145,000 | $138,000 - $185,000 | $170,000 - $230,000 |
| Raytheon (RTX) | $102,000 - $142,000 | $135,000 - $180,000 | $165,000 - $225,000 |
| General Dynamics | $100,000 - $138,000 | $130,000 - $175,000 | $162,000 - $220,000 |
| L3Harris | $98,000 - $135,000 | $128,000 - $172,000 | $158,000 - $215,000 |
Lockheed Martin consistently sits at or near the top of defense contractor PM compensation. The 401(k) match (8-10%), stock grants (Level 4+), and annual bonus structure make total comp higher than the base salary comparison suggests.
Where to find and apply for PM positions
Direct application: lockheedmartin.com/careers. Filter by "Program Management" job family and your preferred location.
Zero G Talent: Search Lockheed Martin openings with PM-related keywords, or browse all aerospace jobs across the industry.
LinkedIn: Lockheed Martin recruiters are active on LinkedIn. Connect with recruiters who specialize in PM roles. Many positions are shared on LinkedIn before they appear on the main careers site.
Military transition programs: Lockheed Martin runs a military hiring program specifically for transitioning officers with program office experience. If you're leaving military service, contact their military relations team directly.
Employee referrals: Like most companies, Lockheed Martin prioritizes referred candidates. If you know current employees, ask for a referral. It genuinely increases your odds.
Skills that make you stand out as a PM candidate
Beyond the standard qualifications, certain skills separate competitive PM candidates from the stack of generic applications:
Financial management: If you can demonstrate that you've managed a budget, tracked burn rates, and explained variances to leadership, you're ahead of 50% of applicants. Specific examples like "Managed a $12M annual budget with CPI of 1.03 over 18 months" carry more weight than vague claims about "financial oversight."
Risk management: Defense programs live and die on risk management. If you can describe how you identified a risk, quantified its impact, developed a mitigation plan, and tracked it to closure, that's a strong PM interview answer. Risk registers and risk burn-down charts should be familiar tools.
Subcontract management: Many Lockheed Martin programs depend on subcontractors for critical hardware and software. PMs who have managed supplier relationships, handled subcontractor performance issues, and negotiated scope changes are highly valued. This skill is especially relevant for programs with complex supply chains like F-35 and Orion.
International experience: Lockheed Martin has growing international programs through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and direct commercial sales. PMs with experience managing international customer relationships, export control compliance (ITAR/EAR), and cross-cultural teams have a competitive advantage for programs with allied nation components.
Communication under pressure: The best defense PMs can walk into a meeting with a frustrated government customer, acknowledge the problem, present a recovery plan, and leave with the customer's confidence restored. This skill is hard to teach and highly valued. If you have examples from your career, prepare them for interviews.
FAQ
How many PM jobs does Lockheed Martin have open right now?
Lockheed Martin typically lists 200-400 project/program management positions at any given time. The exact number fluctuates with contract awards, program phases, and turnover. The Space and Aeronautics business areas generally have the most PM openings.
Can I become a PM at Lockheed Martin without engineering experience?
Yes, but it's harder. About 30% of Lockheed Martin PMs come from non-engineering backgrounds, typically with military program office experience, MBA + defense industry experience, or finance/business analysis backgrounds. Technical credibility matters because you're managing engineering deliverables, so candidates without engineering backgrounds need to demonstrate that they can understand and oversee technical work.
What's the difference between project manager and program manager at Lockheed Martin?
At Lockheed Martin, a program manager owns an entire contract or program and has full profit-and-loss responsibility. A project manager manages a specific scope within a larger program. Program managers interface with the government customer; project managers typically interface with the program manager and internal stakeholders. The salary difference is roughly $30,000-$50,000 between the two levels.
How long does the Lockheed Martin PM hiring process take?
From application to start date, expect 6-12 weeks for candidates with active clearances and 4-8 months for candidates who need clearance processing. The interview process itself takes 2-4 weeks. Lockheed Martin's HR bureaucracy adds time compared to smaller companies, but the process is predictable.
Is PMP required for PM roles at Lockheed Martin?
PMP is listed as "required" on about 50% of PM postings and "preferred" on most of the rest. If you don't have PMP, you can sometimes get hired with the agreement to obtain it within 12 months. However, having PMP at the time of application significantly improves your chances of getting through the initial screen.
