Lockheed Martin Huntsville Careers: Jobs, Programs, and Hiring Guide
Lockheed Martin employs 3,000+ professionals in Huntsville supporting THAAD, Patriot, Aegis BMD, and Space Command programs. As the second-largest defense contractor in the region, Lockheed Martin offers career opportunities across missile defense, space systems, and integrated air defense at Redstone Arsenal and Cummings Research Park.
Lockheed Martin Huntsville Overview
Workforce and Operations
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Huntsville employees | 3,000+ |
| Primary locations | 3 major facilities |
| Annual hiring | 300-500 positions |
| Clearance sponsorship | 700+ investigations annually |
Facility locations:
- Redstone Arsenal campus (classified programs, MDA support)
- Cummings Research Park (engineering, software development)
- Research Park Boulevard (integrated systems)
Business Areas in Huntsville
Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) Primary business unit with largest Huntsville presence.
- Headquarters: Grand Prairie, TX (significant Huntsville presence)
- Programs: THAAD, PAC-3, HIMARS, hypersonics
- Huntsville workforce: 1,500+ employees
Space Growing presence supporting Space Command and satellite systems.
- Programs: Space-based sensors, ground systems, GPS
- Huntsville workforce: 600+ employees
- Growth: Expanding 20-25% through 2027
Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) Integrated defense systems and training.
- Programs: Aegis Combat System, C4ISR
- Huntsville workforce: 400+ employees
Major Huntsville Programs
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Program scope: Theater missile defense system intercepting short and medium-range missiles Contract value: $15+ billion lifecycle value Huntsville role: Systems engineering, integration, production support
| Role Category | Positions | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer | 200+ | $90,000-165,000 |
| Software Engineer | 100+ | $85,000-155,000 |
| Test Engineer | 75+ | $85,000-145,000 |
| Program Management | 50+ | $110,000-180,000 |
Clearance requirement: TS/SCI for most technical positions
Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3)
Program scope: Advanced air and missile defense interceptor Contract value: $8+ billion active contracts Huntsville role: Engineering support, integration, sustainment
| Role Category | Positions | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | 50+ | $80,000-145,000 |
| Electrical Engineer | 40+ | $82,000-148,000 |
| Systems Engineer | 80+ | $88,000-158,000 |
| Quality Engineer | 30+ | $75,000-125,000 |
Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense
Program scope: Ship and shore-based missile defense system Contract value: $6+ billion active Huntsville role: Combat system engineering, software integration
| Role Category | Positions | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Systems Engineer | 60+ | $95,000-160,000 |
| Software Developer | 50+ | $90,000-150,000 |
| Integration Engineer | 40+ | $88,000-145,000 |
Space Systems Programs
Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS)
- MDA program for space-based hypersonic tracking
- Growing Huntsville engineering presence
- Clearance: TS/SCI required
GPS Operations and Sustainment
- GPS constellation support
- Ground system engineering
- Clearance: TS/SCI typical
Salary Ranges by Role
Engineering Positions
| Role | Experience | Salary Range | Clearance Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systems Engineer | Entry | $72,000-88,000 | +$5,000 TS |
| Systems Engineer | Mid | $95,000-130,000 | +$12,000 TS/SCI |
| Systems Engineer | Senior | $130,000-165,000 | +$15,000 Poly |
| Software Engineer | Entry | $75,000-92,000 | +$5,000 TS |
| Software Engineer | Mid | $98,000-135,000 | +$12,000 TS/SCI |
| Software Engineer | Senior | $135,000-170,000 | +$18,000 Poly |
| Electrical Engineer | Mid | $92,000-125,000 | +$10,000 TS/SCI |
| Mechanical Engineer | Mid | $88,000-120,000 | +$8,000 TS |
| Test Engineer | Mid | $88,000-118,000 | +$10,000 TS/SCI |
Program and Business Roles
| Role | Experience | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Program Analyst | Entry | $62,000-78,000 |
| Cost Analyst | Mid | $75,000-100,000 |
| Contracts Specialist | Mid | $78,000-105,000 |
| Program Manager | Mid | $115,000-155,000 |
| Program Manager | Senior | $155,000-195,000 |
| Program Director | Executive | $195,000-260,000 |
Technical Specialists
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| MBSE Engineer | $100,000-145,000 |
| Data Scientist | $95,000-140,000 |
| Cybersecurity Engineer | $100,000-155,000 |
| Cloud Architect | $120,000-165,000 |
| DevSecOps Engineer | $105,000-150,000 |
Benefits Package
Core Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| 401(k) | 10% company contribution (6% match + 4% automatic) |
| Pension | Defined benefit plan for eligible employees |
| Health insurance | Multiple plan options, HSA available |
| Life insurance | 2x salary basic coverage |
| Disability | Short and long-term coverage |
Career Development
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition reimbursement | $15,000 annual maximum |
| Technical training | Extensive internal programs |
| Leadership development | Management training tracks |
| Certification support | 100% exam reimbursement |
| Conference attendance | Program-funded participation |
Work-Life Balance
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| PTO | 15-25 days based on tenure |
| Holidays | 11 paid holidays |
| Flex schedule | 9/80 available most programs |
| Parental leave | 12 weeks paid |
| Sabbatical | 4 weeks at 15 years |
Notable: Lockheed Martin's 10% 401(k) contribution (6% match + 4% automatic) ranks among the highest in the defense industry.
How to Get Hired
Application Process
Step 1: Online Application Apply via Lockheed Martin careers portal (lockheedmartinjobs.com)
- Profile creation with resume
- Keyword-optimized application
- Security clearance status indication
Step 2: Recruiter Screen Initial qualification verification
- Duration: 15-20 minutes phone screen
- Focus: Clearance, experience match, availability
- Timeline: 3-5 days after application
Step 3: Hiring Manager Interview Technical and behavioral assessment
- Format: Video or in-person
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Focus: Technical depth, program fit, problem-solving
Step 4: Technical Panel (Senior Roles) Multi-stakeholder evaluation
- Format: In-person typically
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Focus: Deep technical expertise, leadership
Step 5: Offer Process Compensation negotiation and clearance verification
- Timeline: 1-2 weeks post-interview
- Contingencies: Clearance transfer, background verification
Resume Optimization
Keywords for Lockheed Martin Huntsville:
- THAAD, Patriot, missile defense (program-specific)
- Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD)
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Agile, SAFe, DevSecOps
- AWS, Azure, cloud-native development
- Specific tools: DOORS, Cameo, JIRA, GitLab
Achievement quantification examples:
- "Led THAAD software integration reducing test failures by 40%"
- "Managed $15M subcontract across 3 missile defense deliveries"
- "Designed MBSE architecture adopted across 4 MFC programs"
Interview Preparation
Technical questions:
- Systems engineering lifecycle (requirements through verification)
- Missile defense fundamentals (if targeting MFC programs)
- Software development practices (Agile, CI/CD)
- Security implementation in classified environments
Behavioral questions (STAR format expected):
- Describe a complex integration challenge you resolved
- How do you prioritize competing program requirements?
- Experience collaborating across geographically distributed teams
- Example of technical leadership without direct authority
Questions to ask interviewers:
- What does success look like in this role at 6 and 12 months?
- How does this position contribute to program milestones?
- What professional development opportunities exist?
- How is the team structured and what collaboration looks like?
Current Hiring Focus
High-Demand Roles (2026)
| Role | Open Positions | Growth Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 80+ | Digital transformation, DevSecOps |
| Systems Engineer | 60+ | THAAD, IAMD expansion |
| Cybersecurity | 30+ | CMMC, space systems |
| Data Science | 20+ | AI/ML integration |
| Cloud Engineer | 25+ | AWS GovCloud migration |
Skills in High Demand
Technical:
- MBSE (Cameo, SysML) - Critical for new programs
- Python, C++, Java - Core development languages
- Kubernetes, Docker - Container orchestration
- AWS/Azure certifications - Cloud transformation
- Machine learning - Sensor processing, analytics
Certifications valued:
- Security+ (required for IT roles)
- CISSP (security architect roles)
- AWS Solutions Architect
- PMP (program management)
- SAFe certifications (Agile environment)
Lockheed Martin Culture and Career Path
Performance Management
Performance review cycle: Annual with mid-year check-in Rating scale: 5-point scale (Exceptional to Needs Improvement) Promotion criteria: Performance rating, time in grade, skill development
Career Progression
| Level | Title | Typical Years |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Contributor 1 | Engineer/Analyst | 0-3 |
| Individual Contributor 2 | Sr. Engineer/Analyst | 3-6 |
| Individual Contributor 3 | Staff Engineer | 6-10 |
| Individual Contributor 4 | Sr. Staff Engineer | 10-15 |
| Individual Contributor 5 | Principal Engineer | 15+ |
| Management | Manager/Director | 8+ |
Internal Mobility
Lockheed Martin encourages internal movement:
- Internal job board: Access to all LM openings
- 90-day rule: Managers cannot block transfers after 90 days in role
- Relocation support: Available for internal transfers
- Cross-business movement: MFC to Space to RMS transitions supported
Search Lockheed Martin positions in Huntsville
Related Resources
- Northrop Grumman Huntsville Careers
- Missile Defense Careers at Redstone Arsenal
- Defense Contractor Salary Guide
- Huntsville Employer Profiles
External Resources
Redstone Jobs Editorial
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