Lockheed Martin

Software Engineer

Lockheed Martin$88K — $152K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-10 years of software engineering experience with a focus on complex systems
  • Strong proficiency in C/C++, Java or C#
  • Experience with Python or similar scripting languages
  • Proficient with Git for version control
  • Familiarity with agile methodologies and JIRA for project management
  • Knowledge of safety-critical standards like DO-178C or ISO 26262
  • Must obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance (US citizenship required)

Responsibilities

  • Lead the design and delivery of complex software systems
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop scalable software solutions
  • Drive quality assurance through automated testing and CI/CD practices
  • Identify and implement performance optimizations across platforms
  • Integrate security best practices into software design and development
  • Research and evaluate emerging technologies for potential project applications

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 401(k) plan with matching contributions
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Education assistance for continued learning
  • Paid time off plus holidays
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Parental leave for new parents
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Staff Software Engineer is a senior individual contributor who leads the design, development, and delivery of complex software systems. You will mentor engineers, drive architectural decisions, and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure high-quality, scalable, and secure software/systems solutions that align with business objectives.

- Technical Leadership: Define and champion software architecture, standards, and best practices across multiple projects and/or product lines.
- Design & Development: Architect, design, and implement high-performance, maintainable, and testable code in alignment with product roadmaps.
- Mentorship & Coaching: Provide technical guidance, code reviews, and career development support to engineers ranging from junior to senior levels.
- Collaboration: Partner with product managers, UX designers, data scientists, and stakeholders to translate requirements into robust solutions.
-Quality Assurance: Drive adoption of automated testing, CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring to ensure reliability and rapid feedback.
- Performance Optimization: Identify bottlenecks, conduct profiling, and implement optimizations for latency, throughput, and cost efficiency.
- Security & Compliance: Incorporate security best practices, perform threat modeling, and ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g., ISO-27001, NIST).
- Innovation: Research emerging technologies, evaluate their applicability, and introduce innovative approaches where beneficial.
- Documentation: Produce clear technical documentation, design specifications, operational runbooks, etc..

Basic Qualifications

Compiled Languages: C/C++, Java or C#

Interpreted Languages: Python or any other scripting languages (scripting, automation, test harnesses)

Operating Systems and Shell: Windows, Linux, Powershell, Bash

Version Control: Git: (branching, merging, rebasing, pull-request workflow)

Build Systems: Basic knowledge of one or more of the following: CMake, Make, MSBuild, or Gradle; ability to create and maintain build scripts

Debugging & Profiling: Use of IDE debuggers

Code Reviews: Participate in peer reviews, give constructive feedback, and follow coding standards

Documentation: Produce clear design docs, inline code comments, and maintain wikis or Confluence pages

Configuration Management: Understand change-control processes (CRs, MRBs) and traceability requirements in regulated environments

IDE Proficiency: Visual Studio, CLion, VSCode, or Eclipse

Issue Tracking: JIRA or similar agile framework tooling

Collaboration: Experience working in cross-functional teams (hardware, systems, test) and communicating status effectively.

Agile Methodologies: Participation in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, retrospectives (Scrum/Kanban)

Problem-Solving: Ability to break down complex requirements into iteratively deliverable value units

Communication: Clear written and verbal updates to stakeholders; ability to produce concise design docs

Adaptability: Quickly learn new languages, frameworks, or domain knowledge as project evolves

Reliability & Accountability: Deliver high-quality code on schedule, understand impact of defects in safety-critical systems

No clearance required to start but will need to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance (Must be a US citizen)

Desired skills

Security Clearance Awareness Knowledge of handling classified or export-controlled information per internal policies (no details disclosed)

Real-time & Embedded Systems Basics of RTOS concepts, scheduling, interrupt handling, and low-level hardware interaction

Safety-Critical Standards Awareness of DO-178C, ISO 26262, or MIL-STD-498 compliance concepts (requirements traceability, verification)

Model-Based Development Familiarity with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, SysML or Model-Based Design flow (optional but a plus)

Networking & Protocols Understanding of TCP/IP, UDP, and aerospace-specific protocols (e.g., ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553)

Object-Oriented Design: Ability to design, implement, and extend class hierarchies, apply SOLID principles, and write reusable components

Data Structures & Algorithms: Comfortable with common structures (lists, maps, trees, graphs) and algorithmic thinking (search, sort, recursion)

Test-Driven Development TDD: Write unit tests (Boost, JUnit, PyTest, NUnit) and understand code coverage metrics

Continuous Integration: Familiarity with CI pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI) and automated build/test triggers

Mentorship: Provide guidance to junior engineers and be receptive to feedback from senior engineers

Active TS/SCI security clearance

#LMSpaceSoftwareEng
#SpaceSecurity

Other Important Information

By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.

Work Schedule Information

Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.

National Pay Statement

Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $76,500 - $134,895. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.

Premium Pay Statement

Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $88,000 - $152,490. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security company that engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems and products. It also provides a range of management, engineering, technical, scientific, logistic, and information services. The company operates in four business segments: Aeronautics, Electronic Systems, Information Systems and Global Services, and Space Systems. Lockheed Martin was formed in 1995 from the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta. In September 2008, Lockheed Martin Corporation acquired Aculight Corporation. In January 2009, it completed its acquisition of Universal Systems & Technology, Inc. (UNITECH). In August 2009, it completed its acquisition of Gyrocam Systems LLC (Gyrocam). Gyrocam develops and supplies gyrostabilized optical surveillance systems and sustainment field services, principally to the United States military. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, a unit of the Company's Electronic Systems business area, would manage the Gyrocam business.

Lockheed Martin Careers

Joining Lockheed Martin provides more than just a job opportunity; it offers a platform to be part of a leading team dedicated to advancing global security and aerospace innovation. As a cornerstone of technological prowess, Lockheed Martin invites you to contribute to a legacy of impactful achievements in defense and technology.

Work You’ll Do

At Lockheed Martin, your role will extend beyond fulfilling job responsibilities to reshaping the future of aerospace and defense. Our team at Lockheed Martin is engaged in critical missions that protect citizens and advance the boundaries of science. From engineering to cybersecurity, the opportunities for professional growth are boundless.

Innovate and Lead

Step into a career at Lockheed Martin and you will be at the forefront of innovation and leadership. We empower our employees to lead projects that redefine industry standards and incorporate cutting-edge technology. Lockheed Martin is not just about thinking of the next big idea; it’s about making it a reality.

Professional Growth and Development

Lockheed Martin is committed to the professional growth of every team member. We offer unparalleled career advancement opportunities including professional development, leadership programs, and continuous learning through our Lockheed Martin University. Whether you are looking to advance your skills in engineering, project management, or AI, Lockheed Martin is equipped to take your career to the next level.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe that diversity drives innovation. Lockheed Martin fosters an inclusive culture that embraces diversity in thoughts and experiences. Through diversity training and networking, we ensure that every employee can thrive. Our leadership is committed to building a diverse workforce where everyone is heard, respected, and valued.

Internship and Early Career Opportunities

Kickstart your career with Lockheed Martin’s internship programs. These opportunities allow you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects, gaining invaluable industry experience. Internships often lead to full-time positions, as we love to see young professionals grow into future leaders within our company.

Benefits and Culture

Lockheed Martin is renowned for its vibrant culture and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the various needs of our diverse team. From competitive salaries and health benefits to employee wellness programs and flexible working conditions, we ensure that our team is well taken care of, motivated, and healthy.

Join Our Team

Explore the numerous employment opportunities on our careers page. We are continuously hiring skilled professionals eager to make a difference. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences, prepare for your interview, and join a team known for its commitment to excellence and innovation.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest at Lockheed Martin by subscribing to our careers blog. Receive personalized job alerts and insider tips directly to your inbox, and stay ahead in your career journey.

Lockheed Martin: Your Future is Here

Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Lockheed Martin offers a range of positions and career paths that align with your ambitions and skills. Join us in our mission to solve complex challenges, advance scientific discovery, and deliver innovative solutions that make a difference.

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Lockheed Martin is not just a company; it’s a community where you can build a career that you can be proud of.
Learn more about Lockheed Martin
Size
114,000 employees
Market Cap
$126.1 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.8 billion
Founded
1995
5 Year Trend
+7.2%
Revenue
$65.3 billion
NASDAQ

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