Lockheed Martin software engineering intern in 2026
A Lockheed Martin software engineering internship puts you on real defense and space programs, not toy projects. You'll write code that goes into satellite ground systems, missile guidance software, flight simulations, or cybersecurity tools. The pay is competitive, the conversion rate to full-time is solid, and the security clearance you start during the internship becomes a career asset that follows you for decades.
What software engineering interns actually do
Lockheed Martin doesn't run one monolithic intern program. Each business area and program site manages its own internships, which means your experience depends heavily on where you're placed.
Common intern assignments:
Ground system development: Writing and testing software for satellite command and control, telemetry processing, or mission planning. Languages are typically Java, Python, or C++. This is one of the most common intern assignments in the Space business area (Littleton, CO; Sunnyvale, CA).
Embedded systems / flight software: Working on software that runs on spacecraft or weapon systems. This involves C/C++, real-time operating systems (RTOS), and rigorous testing standards (DO-178C or similar). More common at MFC (Orlando) and Aeronautics (Fort Worth).
Simulation and modeling: Building physics simulations for missile trajectories, radar performance, or satellite orbits. MATLAB, Python, and C++ are the tools. Interns at Missiles & Fire Control in Orlando or Dallas often get simulation work.
DevSecOps and cloud infrastructure: Setting up CI/CD pipelines, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), and cloud deployments for internal tools. Lockheed Martin is modernizing its software infrastructure, and interns contribute to this effort across all business areas.
Cybersecurity: Vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, security monitoring, or developing security tools. The Cyber Solutions division hires software interns specifically for security-focused work.
Data science and AI/ML: Training models for image recognition (satellite imagery), anomaly detection (system health monitoring), or natural language processing (intelligence analysis support). These roles are growing but still represent a smaller portion of intern openings.
| Assignment Area | Languages/Tools | Locations | Business Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground systems | Java, Python, C++ | Littleton, Sunnyvale | Space |
| Flight software | C, C++, RTOS | Fort Worth, Orlando | Aero, MFC |
| Simulation | MATLAB, Python, C++ | Orlando, Dallas | MFC |
| DevSecOps | Docker, K8s, Jenkins, AWS/Azure | Multiple | All |
| Cybersecurity | Python, Splunk, network tools | Hanover, MD; various | Cyber |
| Data science/AI | Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch | Various | All |
Unlike some companies that create separate intern projects, most Lockheed Martin software interns work directly on active programs alongside full-time engineers. You'll commit code to the same repositories, attend the same stand-ups, and contribute to the same sprint goals. The work is real and sometimes ends up in production systems. This is a selling point, not a concern: your resume gets a specific program name, not "summer project."
Pay and compensation
Lockheed Martin intern pay is hourly, and it varies by academic level and location:
| Academic Level | Hourly Rate (2026) | Annualized Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (Sophomore) | $22 - $27 | $45,760 - $56,160 |
| Undergraduate (Junior/Senior) | $25 - $32 | $52,000 - $66,560 |
| Master's Student | $30 - $38 | $62,400 - $79,040 |
| PhD Student | $35 - $42 | $72,800 - $87,360 |
Beyond the hourly rate, Lockheed Martin interns receive:
- Housing stipend or corporate housing: $2,000-$4,000 for the summer (varies by location and availability)
- Relocation assistance: Travel to and from the internship location
- 401(k) eligibility: Interns can contribute, though they're typically not eligible for the full match
- Networking events: Intern socials, executive speaker series, and technical talks
- Mentorship: Each intern is paired with a full-time engineer as a mentor
| Location | Hourly Rate (Junior/Senior) | Housing Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Littleton, CO | $26 - $32 | Stipend: $2,500-$3,500 | Space HQ, Orion, GPS III |
| Fort Worth, TX | $25 - $30 | Stipend: $2,000-$3,000 | F-35 software, no state tax |
| Orlando, FL | $24 - $29 | Stipend: $2,000-$3,000 | MFC, simulations, no state tax |
| Sunnyvale, CA | $28 - $35 | Stipend: $3,500-$4,500 | Satellites, higher COL |
| Moorestown, NJ | $26 - $32 | Stipend: $2,500-$3,500 | Aegis, radar systems |
| Hanover, MD | $27 - $33 | Stipend: $3,000-$4,000 | Cybersecurity, near DC |
The clearance question
Here's the part that trips up most applicants: nearly every software engineering internship at Lockheed Martin requires US citizenship and the ability to obtain a security clearance. Many require an interim Secret clearance before you can access the work.
What this means for interns:
- You must be a US citizen. Green card holders, DACA recipients, and international students are ineligible for most positions.
- Lockheed Martin initiates the clearance process during onboarding. For many interns, this is their first clearance.
- An interim Secret clearance can be granted in 2-6 weeks if your background is straightforward (no foreign contacts, no criminal record, no drug history, no major financial issues).
- If you can't get interim clearance before your start date, some sites offer unclassified work as a fallback, but this limits your assignment options.
- Once granted, your clearance stays active for 10 years (Secret) or 5 years (Top Secret) and transfers to any future employer who sponsors it.
Accept the Lockheed Martin internship offer as soon as possible and complete the SF-86 (security clearance questionnaire) immediately. The SF-86 asks for 10 years of residential history, employment history, foreign contacts, and references. Gathering this information takes time. The sooner you submit, the sooner your background investigation starts, and the more likely you'll have interim clearance by your start date.
How to apply and timeline
The internship application cycle follows a predictable pattern:
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| August - October | Applications open for next summer |
| September - November | Career fair recruiting (campus visits) |
| October - January | Interviews and offers |
| January - March | Late-cycle applications for remaining spots |
| March - April | Clearance processing for accepted interns |
| May - June | Internship starts (12-week program) |
| August | Internship ends, return-offer decisions |
Where to apply: lockheedmartin.com/careers, filtered by "Intern" and "Software." Also check Zero G Talent for Lockheed Martin postings.
Application tips:
- Apply early (September/October) for the best selection of roles
- Attend Lockheed Martin sessions at your university's career fair
- Tailor your resume to defense/aerospace: highlight C/C++/Python projects, embedded systems experience, any security-relevant coursework (crypto, network security)
- If you have a ham radio license, robotics competition experience, or rocketry club involvement, include it. These signal genuine technical interest.
- Mention US citizenship explicitly on your resume (this is standard practice for defense applications)
Full-time conversion
Lockheed Martin's intern-to-full-time conversion rate is estimated at 40-55%, though it varies by business area and year. The factors that determine whether you receive a return offer:
Performance: Did you complete your assignment, contribute meaningfully, and demonstrate technical competence? Managers evaluate interns throughout the summer, not just at the end.
Cultural fit: Did you engage with the team, ask questions, attend intern events, and demonstrate interest in the company and programs? Being technically competent but socially disengaged hurts your conversion chances.
Program budget: Sometimes conversion is limited by headcount approvals and program funding, not your performance. A stellar intern on a program that's losing its next-year funding may not get an offer regardless of merit.
Clearance status: If your clearance investigation hit a snag, the full-time offer may be contingent on clearance adjudication. This can delay but usually doesn't prevent the offer.
| Conversion Factor | Impact | What You Can Control |
|---|---|---|
| Technical performance | High | Yes (do good work) |
| Team engagement | High | Yes (be present, ask questions) |
| Program budget | Medium | No (but you can ask about it) |
| Clearance status | Medium | Partially (submit SF-86 early, be truthful) |
| Manager advocacy | High | Yes (build a relationship with your mentor) |
Full-time return offers for software engineers typically come in at Level 1, with salaries ranging from $80,000-$100,000 depending on location and degree level. Having interned gives you an advantage: you know the company, you have a clearance in process, and you have a manager who can advocate for your hire.
Lockheed Martin intern pay vs. competitors
| Company | Undergrad Hourly | Master's Hourly | Housing/Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin | $25 - $32 | $30 - $38 | $2,000 - $4,500 |
| Northrop Grumman | $24 - $31 | $29 - $37 | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| Boeing | $23 - $30 | $28 - $36 | $1,500 - $3,500 |
| Raytheon (RTX) | $24 - $30 | $28 - $36 | $2,000 - $4,000 |
| SpaceX | $28 - $38 | $33 - $42 | $1,500 - $3,000 |
| Blue Origin | $27 - $35 | $32 - $40 | $2,000 - $3,500 |
| $42 - $55 | $50 - $62 | $9,000+ | |
| Microsoft | $40 - $52 | $48 - $58 | $7,000+ |
The defense contractors pay less than Big Tech for internships. That's the straightforward truth. A Google SWE intern earns nearly double what a Lockheed Martin intern makes. But the comparison isn't entirely apples-to-apples: Lockheed Martin gives you a security clearance (worth $15,000-$25,000 in market value), exposure to unique engineering domains (flight software, satellite systems, missile guidance), and a career path that Big Tech doesn't offer.
Search Lockheed Martin positions on Zero G Talent, or explore internship opportunities across the space industry. For other defense internships, check Boeing and Northrop Grumman.
FAQ
How much does a Lockheed Martin software engineering intern make?
Undergraduate interns earn $22-$32/hour depending on class year and location. Master's students earn $30-$38/hour. PhD students earn $35-$42/hour. Plus a housing stipend of $2,000-$4,500 and travel reimbursement. Fort Worth and Orlando offer lower hourly rates but no state income tax, which partially closes the gap with higher-cost locations.
Do you need a security clearance for a Lockheed Martin internship?
You need US citizenship and the ability to obtain a clearance. Lockheed Martin initiates the clearance process for interns, so you don't need to already hold one. However, anything in your background that would disqualify you from a clearance (non-US citizenship, significant criminal record, heavy drug use, large unexplained debt) would also disqualify you from the internship.
When should I apply for a Lockheed Martin software internship?
Apply in September or October of the year before your desired summer internship. The best positions fill by November-December. Late applications (January-March) may still succeed for remaining positions, but your choices will be more limited. Attend the Lockheed Martin booth at your university's fall career fair for the strongest initial impression.
What programming languages should I know?
C++ and Python are the most broadly useful. Java is common for ground system work. MATLAB is used in simulation and analysis roles. Familiarity with Linux, Git, and basic DevOps tools (Docker, Jenkins) is increasingly expected. If you want to work on embedded/flight software, make sure you know C and understand real-time systems concepts.
Can a Lockheed Martin internship lead to a full-time job?
Yes. Lockheed Martin converts roughly 40-55% of interns to full-time hires. The key factors are your technical performance, team engagement, and program funding. The security clearance you start during the internship is a major advantage for full-time hiring because cleared candidates are significantly more valuable to programs that need them.
Is Lockheed Martin better than SpaceX for a software internship?
Different, not better or worse. SpaceX pays more ($28-$38/hr vs. $25-$32/hr), moves faster, and offers more startup-like energy. Lockheed Martin offers better work-life balance, a security clearance, broader program diversity, and more structured mentorship. SpaceX works you harder and gives you more ownership; Lockheed Martin gives you more guidance and stability. Choose based on your priorities and career goals.
