Lockheed Martin Seattle WA in 2026: programs, roles, salaries, and Boeing comparison
When people think of aerospace in Seattle, Boeing comes to mind first. But Lockheed Martin maintains a meaningful presence in Washington state, concentrated in Silverdale (supporting the Fleet Ballistic Missile program at Naval Base Kitsap) and Bothell (software and firmware engineering). While the footprint is smaller than Lockheed Martin's Colorado, Texas, or Maryland campuses, the Pacific Northwest operations offer compelling career opportunities with the added benefit of Washington state's quality of life and lack of state income tax.
In 2026, Lockheed Martin has approximately 50 or more open positions across Washington state, spanning software engineering, manufacturing, program management, and specialized weapons systems work. Here is what you need to know.
Washington state locations
Lockheed Martin's Washington operations are distributed across several sites, each supporting different programs:
| Location | Business Area | Programs | Role Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silverdale | Space / Strategic Missiles | Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM/Trident) | Engineering, manufacturing, test |
| Bothell | RMS / MFC | Software/firmware systems | Software engineering, management |
| Bellevue | Various | Business development, engineering | Systems engineering, BD |
| Remote/Hybrid WA | Various | Multiple | Software, IT, analysis |
Silverdale: Fleet Ballistic Missile program
The largest Lockheed Martin facility in Washington state is in Silverdale, near Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. This site supports the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program, which develops and sustains the Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missile. The Trident system is a cornerstone of the United States nuclear deterrent.
Roles at Silverdale include:
- Manufacturing operations: Assembly, integration, and testing of missile components
- Project engineering: Managing technical execution and schedule for missile subsystems
- Systems engineering: Requirements, architecture, and integration for the Trident system
- Quality assurance: Inspection, compliance, and process control
- Technicians: Calibration, ordnance handling, and welding specialists
Recent postings from early 2026 include Manufacturing Operations Associate Manager, Project Engineer Senior, Calibration Technicians, Ordnance Mechanics, and Welders. These roles reflect the hands-on nature of the Silverdale facility, which handles hardware fabrication and assembly alongside engineering work.
Bothell: software and firmware
The Bothell office focuses on software and firmware engineering for various programs. A recent posting for a Software/Firmware Engineering Manager indicates leadership-level hiring in this area. Bothell roles tend to be software-heavy and may offer hybrid work arrangements.
Salary expectations in Washington state
Washington state has no state income tax, which provides a meaningful boost to take-home pay compared to locations like California, Maryland, or Pennsylvania. This makes Washington positions more financially attractive than the base salary numbers alone suggest.
| Role | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer (mid-level) | $100K–$155K | Bothell, hybrid possible |
| Software Engineering Manager | $130K–$180K | Bothell |
| Systems Engineer | $95K–$160K | Silverdale |
| Project Engineer Senior | $110K–$155K | Silverdale |
| Manufacturing Ops Manager | $105K–$150K | Silverdale |
| Calibration Technician | $55K–$80K | Silverdale |
| Ordnance Mechanic | $60K–$85K | Silverdale |
| Welder | $55K–$80K | Silverdale |
| Quality Inspector | $60K–$90K | Silverdale |
Effective salary comparison (accounting for state income tax):
| Location | Base Salary | State Tax | Effective Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $130K | 0% | $130K gross |
| Littleton, CO | $130K | 4.4% | $124K after state tax |
| King of Prussia, PA | $130K | 3.07% | $126K after state tax |
| Fort Worth, TX | $125K | 0% | $125K gross |
| Bethesda, MD | $135K | 5.75% | $127K after state tax |
| Palmdale, CA | $140K | 9.3% | $127K after state tax |
Lockheed Martin versus Boeing in the Seattle area
The Seattle area is Boeing's historic home, and the two companies represent different career experiences:
| Factor | Lockheed Martin (WA) | Boeing (WA) |
|---|---|---|
| WA headcount | ~500–1,000 | ~50,000+ |
| Primary focus | Strategic missiles, software | Commercial aircraft, defense |
| Programs | Trident FBM | 737, 787, military platforms |
| Clearance required | Yes (most roles) | Varies (commercial vs defense) |
| Salary range (engineer) | $90K–$175K | $90K–$180K |
| Job variety in WA | Limited | Extensive |
| Career mobility in WA | Limited (fewer local roles) | High (many local programs) |
| Work-life balance | Generally good | Varies by program |
| 401(k) match | 6% auto + 4% match | 75% match up to 8% |
| Union presence | Non-union (most WA) | IAM union (production) |
Boeing dominates the Seattle-area aerospace landscape with tens of thousands of employees across commercial aviation, defense, and space programs. Lockheed Martin offers a much smaller but focused presence. The trade-off is that Lockheed Martin Washington roles tend to involve classified defense work with higher security requirements, while Boeing offers a wider range of opportunities including uncleared commercial aviation positions.
If you want: breadth of opportunity, commercial aviation exposure, and the ability to switch programs locally, Boeing is the better choice in Seattle.
If you want: nuclear deterrent mission work, security-cleared environments, and a smaller team dynamic, Lockheed Martin's Washington operations may suit you better.
Living in the Seattle and Puget Sound area
Cost of living: The Seattle metro area cost of living index is approximately 150 to 160, making it one of the more expensive areas in the country. However, Silverdale (Kitsap County) is significantly cheaper than Seattle proper, with a cost of living index closer to 115 to 120.
| Area | Median Home Price | 1BR Rent | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle proper | $800K+ | $2,200 | 155 |
| Bothell | $750K | $1,900 | 145 |
| Silverdale | $500K | $1,400 | 118 |
| Bremerton | $450K | $1,300 | 112 |
| Poulsbo | $550K | $1,500 | 120 |
For employees at the Silverdale facility, living in the Kitsap Peninsula communities of Silverdale, Bremerton, Poulsbo, or Bainbridge Island provides reasonable housing costs and a more relaxed Pacific Northwest lifestyle. The commute from Silverdale neighborhoods to the facility is typically 10 to 20 minutes.
Bothell employees face Seattle-area housing costs but benefit from access to the full range of urban amenities, restaurants, and cultural offerings that the Seattle metro provides.
Lifestyle: The Pacific Northwest offers access to mountains (Cascades, Olympics), water (Puget Sound), and forests. Outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing, sailing, and fishing is a significant draw. The region receives considerable rainfall from October through April but enjoys moderate temperatures year-round.
Career growth and internal mobility
Lockheed Martin's Washington operations are smaller than its major hubs, which means internal mobility within the state is limited. However, the company's LM People internal job board allows you to explore and transfer to any Lockheed Martin facility:
- Build experience on the FBM program in Silverdale, then transfer to Space division in Littleton
- Develop software skills in Bothell, then move to RMS in King of Prussia or cyber programs in Maryland
- Use Washington experience as a foundation for broader defense career opportunities
The strategic importance of the FBM/Trident program means that experience on this system is highly valued throughout the defense industry, not just within Lockheed Martin.
How to apply
Search for Washington state positions on lockheedmartinjobs.com by filtering for Washington or specific cities (Silverdale, Bothell, Bellevue). Most positions are also listed on job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn.
For Silverdale positions, be prepared for:
- Security clearance requirements (Secret or Top Secret for most roles)
- Potential relocation to the Kitsap Peninsula
- On-site work requirements (limited hybrid availability due to classified nature of FBM program)
Bottom line
Lockheed Martin's Washington state operations center on the strategic Fleet Ballistic Missile program in Silverdale and software engineering in Bothell. While smaller than the company's presence in Colorado, Texas, or Maryland, the Washington facilities offer competitive salaries boosted by zero state income tax, meaningful defense work, and the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. Engineers earn $90,000 to $175,000 depending on role and level, with Silverdale offering better cost-of-living dynamics than the Seattle metro proper.
Explore Washington state openings on Zero G Talent. For salary comparisons, see Lockheed Martin salary guide and mechanical engineer salaries. For other locations, check our guides to Littleton, CO, King of Prussia, PA, and Maryland.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lockheed Martin have an office in Seattle?
Lockheed Martin does not have a major facility in Seattle proper but operates from locations in Silverdale (Fleet Ballistic Missile program), Bothell (software engineering), and Bellevue. The primary Washington state facility is in Silverdale near Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.
What programs does Lockheed Martin work on in Washington state?
The main program is the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) / Trident II D5 submarine-launched ballistic missile system, operated out of Silverdale. Software and firmware engineering work occurs in Bothell. These programs support the United States nuclear deterrent.
How does Lockheed Martin salary in Washington compare to Boeing?
Engineering salaries are broadly comparable, ranging from $90,000 to $180,000 at both companies. The key difference is that Washington has no state income tax, benefiting both equally. Boeing offers far more positions in the Seattle area, while Lockheed Martin roles tend to be more specialized and clearance-required.
Is Silverdale WA a good place to live?
Silverdale offers a lower cost of living than Seattle proper, with median home prices around $500,000 compared to $800,000 or more in Seattle. The Kitsap Peninsula provides a quieter, more rural lifestyle with access to Puget Sound, Olympic National Park, and moderate weather. The trade-off is fewer urban amenities compared to Seattle.
Do Lockheed Martin Washington jobs require security clearance?
Most Lockheed Martin positions in Washington state require security clearance, particularly at the Silverdale facility supporting the FBM program. Secret clearance is the minimum for most roles, with many requiring Top Secret. Some Bothell software positions may have lower clearance requirements.
