Lockheed Martin welding jobs in 2026: programs, pay, and how to get hired
Lockheed Martin employs more welders than most people realize. From the F-35 fighter jet to the Orion deep-space capsule, every major Lockheed Martin program depends on welders who can join exotic alloys to aerospace standards. The company hires TIG welders, friction stir welding operators, electron beam welding technicians, and welding engineers across at least five major facilities in the United States.
Unlike commercial welding shops, Lockheed Martin welding jobs involve working on hardware where failure is not an option. A bad weld on an F-35 fuel line or an Orion pressure vessel can cost lives. That means every weld is inspected, documented, and traceable. If you thrive under that kind of accountability, Lockheed Martin welding pays well and offers long-term career stability that most welding jobs simply cannot match.
Welding processes used at Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin uses a broader range of welding processes than most aerospace companies because its programs span fighter aircraft, spacecraft, missiles, and satellites. Here is what you should expect.
TIG welding (GTAW)
Gas tungsten arc welding is the primary manual welding process across Lockheed Martin facilities. TIG welders join aluminum alloys, stainless steel, titanium, and nickel-based superalloys depending on the program. The F-35 program at Fort Worth requires TIG welding on fuel system lines, structural fittings, and exhaust components. At the Denver/Littleton campus, TIG welders work on Orion crew module components and satellite structural elements.
TIG welding at Lockheed Martin follows strict welding procedure specifications (WPS) that define every parameter: filler metal type, shielding gas composition, travel speed, interpass temperature, preheat requirements, and post-weld heat treatment. Deviations are not tolerated.
Friction stir welding (FSW)
Lockheed Martin was an early adopter of friction stir welding for spacecraft construction. The Orion crew module uses self-reacting friction stir welding (SR-FSW) to join aluminum cone panels, bulkheads, tunnel sections, and barrel assemblies at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. This solid-state process reduced the total number of structural welds on the Orion vehicle from 19 down to 7, cutting vehicle mass by approximately 700 pounds.
FSW operators at Lockheed Martin work with large automated welding systems like the Universal Weld System II (UWS II), which features a 22-foot diameter turntable. These are not manual welding positions. They require CNC operation skills, parameter programming, and extensive quality monitoring.
Electron beam welding (EBW)
Electron beam welding is used for high-precision, deep-penetration joints on missile components, engine housings, and satellite structural elements. EBW happens inside vacuum chambers and produces extremely narrow, high-strength welds with minimal heat-affected zones. Lockheed Martin facilities in Orlando and Sunnyvale use EBW for missile and satellite programs. Operators need specialized training on vacuum systems and high-voltage equipment.
Resistance welding and brazing
Some Lockheed Martin programs use resistance spot welding for sheet metal assemblies and brazing for heat exchanger and electronics cooling systems. These processes are common in missile production at the Orlando facility and satellite manufacturing in Sunnyvale.
Lockheed Martin welding jobs by location
Each Lockheed Martin facility focuses on different programs, which means the welding work varies significantly by site.
| Location | Programs | Primary Materials | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX | F-35 Lightning II | Aluminum, titanium, stainless steel | TIG welders, tube welders, welding inspectors |
| Denver/Littleton, CO | Orion, GPS III, satellites | Aluminum 2219, stainless steel | FSW operators, TIG welders, welding engineers |
| Orlando, FL | Missiles (THAAD, PAC-3, Trident) | Steel, nickel alloys, aluminum | EBW operators, TIG welders, brazing techs |
| Marietta, GA | C-130J, F-35 components | Aluminum, steel | Production welders, structural welders |
| Sunnyvale, CA | Satellites, space systems | Aluminum, exotic alloys | EBW operators, TIG welders, welding engineers |
Fort Worth, TX (Air Force Plant 4)
The Fort Worth facility is Lockheed Martin's largest manufacturing site and the home of F-35 production. Welders here primarily work on aircraft fuel system lines, structural brackets, exhaust components, and titanium fittings. The F-35 program runs on a production line model, so welders work in stations performing specific join operations repeatedly. Fort Worth typically has the highest volume of welding job openings because of the scale of F-35 production, which is producing roughly 150 aircraft per year in 2026.
Denver/Littleton, CO
The Colorado campus is where Lockheed Martin builds spacecraft. The Orion deep-space crew module, GPS III navigation satellites, and classified space programs all require welding support. This is where you will find friction stir welding operations for Orion, along with TIG welding on satellite structures and propulsion components. The Denver area also puts you near other major aerospace employers including Northrop Grumman, Ball Aerospace (now BAE Systems), and multiple NASA facilities.
Orlando, FL
The Orlando facility focuses on missile systems. Welding here involves joining high-strength steel and nickel alloy components for programs like THAAD, PAC-3 Patriot missiles, and Trident submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Electron beam welding and TIG welding on thick-section joints are common. The missile production environment has some of the most demanding quality requirements in the company because these are weapons systems where failure means catastrophic consequences.
Lockheed Martin welder salary breakdown
Lockheed Martin welder pay varies by experience level, location, and the specific program you support. Here are the 2026 salary ranges based on reported compensation data.
| Role | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Experience Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welder I (Entry) | $50,000 – $60,000 | $24 – $29/hr | 1-2 years TIG, or trade school graduate |
| Welder II | $58,000 – $72,000 | $28 – $35/hr | 3-5 years aerospace or industrial welding |
| Senior Welder | $70,000 – $88,000 | $34 – $42/hr | 5-10 years, AWS D17.1, lead experience |
| Welding Inspector | $65,000 – $85,000 | $31 – $41/hr | CWI certification, 3+ years inspection |
| Welding Engineer | $80,000 – $120,000 | Salaried | BS in welding/materials/ME, 2+ years |
| Senior Welding Engineer | $110,000 – $145,000 | Salaried | MS preferred, 8+ years, WPS development |
Fort Worth and Orlando positions tend to pay at the lower end of these ranges because the cost of living in Texas and Florida is moderate. Denver/Littleton and Sunnyvale positions pay toward the higher end due to Colorado and California cost-of-living adjustments.
Lockheed Martin also offers a comprehensive benefits package that adds significant value beyond base salary: 401(k) with 10% company contribution (6% match + 4% automatic), pension plan (one of the few remaining in aerospace), tuition reimbursement up to $10,000/year, and medical/dental/vision coverage.
Many Lockheed Martin welding positions involve overtime during production pushes, especially on the F-35 line in Fort Worth. At time-and-a-half rates, a Welder II making $32/hr base earns $48/hr overtime. With 10-15 hours of weekly overtime, annual total compensation can reach $85,000-$95,000 even at mid-level positions.
Certifications and qualifications
Lockheed Martin has specific requirements for welding positions that go beyond what most commercial shops ask for.
AWS D17.1 (Aerospace Fusion Welding) is the single most important certification for Lockheed Martin welding jobs. This standard covers fusion welding of aerospace hardware and is referenced in virtually every Lockheed Martin welding procedure specification. If you hold a D17.1 certification, your application moves to the front of the stack.
Other valuable certifications include:
- AWS D1.1 (Structural Welding - Steel) or D1.6 (Stainless Steel) — baseline competence demonstrations
- CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) — required for all inspection roles
- ASNT Level II in RT, UT, PT, or MT — for NDE roles and helpful for inspectors
- NADCAP awareness — Lockheed Martin facilities carry NADCAP accreditation for special processes including welding, and understanding NADCAP requirements gives you an advantage
Security clearance: Most Lockheed Martin welding positions require at least a Secret clearance. Some positions on classified satellite programs in Denver or Sunnyvale require Top Secret. Lockheed Martin sponsors clearances for new hires, but you must be a U.S. citizen and pass a background investigation. Drug testing is standard.
Physical requirements: Welding at Lockheed Martin involves standing for extended periods, working in confined spaces, overhead welding, and wearing personal protective equipment including respirators in some environments. You need to pass a physical exam.
How Lockheed Martin welding compares to SpaceX
Both companies hire skilled welders, but the work environments are very different.
| Factor | Lockheed Martin | SpaceX |
|---|---|---|
| Work pace | Steady, process-driven | Extremely fast, startup-like |
| Weekly hours | 40-50 typical | 50-60+ common |
| Primary material | Varies by program (Al, Ti, SS, Ni) | 304L stainless (Starship) |
| Certification emphasis | AWS D17.1 strongly preferred | Pass hands-on weld test |
| Job security | Very stable, long program cycles | High turnover reported |
| Benefits | Pension + 401(k), tuition reimbursement | Stock options, 401(k) match |
| Security clearance | Usually required | Usually not required |
| Work culture | Structured, hierarchical | Flat, move-fast mentality |
SpaceX welding jobs offer higher intensity and the appeal of building rockets that launch regularly. Lockheed Martin welding jobs offer stability, better benefits, and exposure to a wider variety of materials and processes. Many welders build careers at Lockheed Martin for 20-30 years, which is uncommon at SpaceX.
Lockheed Martin has a defined career ladder for welding professionals. A Welder I can progress to Welder II, Senior Welder, Lead Welder, and eventually Welding Supervisor without needing a degree. Alternatively, welders who earn degrees through the tuition reimbursement program can transition into welding engineering roles. This dual-track progression is one of the strongest reasons to build a welding career at Lockheed Martin rather than smaller contractors.
How to apply for Lockheed Martin welding jobs
The application process for Lockheed Martin welding positions follows a standard defense contractor hiring workflow.
- Search open positions at Lockheed Martin careers or on Zero G Talent for current welding openings
- Submit your application with a resume highlighting TIG welding experience, certifications (especially AWS D17.1), and any aerospace or defense industry background
- Complete the skills assessment — Lockheed Martin may administer a written welding knowledge test covering joint design, welding symbols, and metallurgy basics
- Pass the hands-on weld test — you will weld sample joints on the specific materials used by the program you are applying to. Expect a TIG weld test on aluminum, stainless steel, or both
- Background investigation and drug screening — security clearance processing takes 3-6 months for Secret, longer for Top Secret
- Start date — once your clearance is adjudicated, you receive a start date and begin onboarding
The full process from application to start date typically takes 2-4 months for positions requiring Secret clearance.
Frequently asked questions
What welding certifications does Lockheed Martin require?
AWS D17.1 (Aerospace Fusion Welding) is the most valued certification for Lockheed Martin welding jobs. While not always listed as a hard requirement for production welder roles, it is strongly preferred and will significantly improve your chances. CWI certification is required for welding inspector positions. All welders must pass a hands-on weld test during the hiring process regardless of their certifications.
How much do Lockheed Martin welders make in 2026?
Lockheed Martin welder salaries range from approximately $50,000 for entry-level Welder I positions to $88,000 or more for senior welders. Welding engineers earn $80,000 to $145,000 depending on experience and location. Total compensation is higher when you factor in the 401(k) with 10% company contribution, pension, overtime pay, and benefits package.
Does Lockheed Martin hire welders without experience?
Lockheed Martin typically requires at least 1-2 years of TIG welding experience or a welding trade school certificate for entry-level positions. Complete beginners are rarely hired directly. However, if you graduate from a welding program with strong TIG skills and can pass the hands-on weld test, you have a realistic shot at a Welder I position.
Do I need a security clearance to weld at Lockheed Martin?
Most Lockheed Martin welding positions require at least a Secret security clearance. You must be a U.S. citizen. Lockheed Martin sponsors the clearance investigation for new hires, so you do not need to have one before applying. The investigation process typically takes 3-6 months.
Which Lockheed Martin location has the most welding jobs?
Fort Worth, Texas has the highest volume of welding positions due to the F-35 production line. The facility produces roughly 150 aircraft per year and needs a continuous pipeline of qualified welders. Denver/Littleton, Colorado has the most space-related welding work, including the Orion spacecraft and satellite programs.
