What is a Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin?
At Lockheed Martin, a Software Engineer does far more than write code; you are a critical architect of systems that ensure national security, global safety, and scientific advancement. Whether you are working within Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL) on next-generation AI or developing embedded systems for aerospace platforms, your work directly impacts the "mission"—solving complex challenges to keep people safe.
This role places you at the intersection of hardware and software. You will likely work on projects ranging from autonomous systems and trusted intelligence to command and control interfaces. Unlike typical consumer tech roles, the software you build here often operates in safety-critical environments where reliability and precision are paramount. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams of researchers and engineers to translate theoretical concepts into deployed capabilities that maintain technology dominance.
Getting Ready for Your Interviews
Preparation for Lockheed Martin requires a shift in mindset. While technical competence is required, the company places a massive premium on who you are and how you work. The interviewers are looking for reliability, integrity, and the ability to function within a structured, mission-driven team.
Your evaluation will center on these core criteria:
Behavioral Competence (STAR Method) This is the single most important factor in your interview. Lockheed Martin relies heavily on structured behavioral questions to predict future performance. You must demonstrate how you handle conflict, lead teams, and solve problems using the Situation, Task, Action, Result framework.
Technical Foundation & Application Interviewers assess your grasp of fundamental engineering principles rather than your ability to memorize obscure algorithms. They want to see that you understand the software development lifecycle, from requirements to testing, and that you can apply your skills (C++, Java, Python, or AI/ML) to real-world scenarios found on your resume.
Mission Alignment & Security You will be evaluated on your genuine interest in the aerospace and defense industry. Because many roles require a security clearance, your trustworthiness, citizenship status, and willingness to work in a regulated environment are key components of the "culture fit" assessment.
Interview Process Overview
The interview process at Lockheed Martin is designed to be straightforward, fair, and respectful of your time. Unlike many tech giants that require 5–7 rounds of intense coding drills, Lockheed Martin typically employs a streamlined approach. You can expect a process that focuses heavily on your resume and your past experiences. The goal is to determine if you are a "whole person" fit for the team—someone who is technically capable but also collaborative and eager to learn.
Most candidates experience a two-step process: an initial screen (often with a recruiter or hiring manager) followed by a single, comprehensive virtual interview round. During this main interview, you will likely meet with a panel consisting of the hiring manager and senior engineers. The atmosphere is generally described as professional and friendly, often feeling more like a conversation about your projects than an interrogation. While technical questions will be asked, they are usually woven into discussions about your background rather than presented as isolated coding tests.
This timeline illustrates a standard progression, though specific teams (such as research labs) may add a technical deep-dive. Use the time between the initial contact and the final interview to master your "stories." Since the process is efficient, you have fewer chances to recover from a bad round, so you must be polished from the start.
Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas
Based on candidate reports and internal standards, your interview will focus on three primary areas. Success requires balancing soft skills with technical credibility.
Behavioral and Situational Analysis
This is the dominant portion of the interview, often comprising 70–80% of the conversation. Interviewers use a standard set of questions to ensure fairness across all candidates. They are looking for evidence of leadership, adaptability, and ethical decision-making.
Be ready to go over:
- Conflict Resolution – How you handle disagreements with coworkers or management.
- Adaptability – Times when requirements changed, or a project didn't go as planned.
- Leadership – Examples of taking initiative, even if you were not the formal lead.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a team member. How did you resolve it?"
- "Describe a situation where you had to learn a new technology quickly to meet a deadline."
- "Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it?"
Technical Experience & Project Deep Dives
Rather than generic LeetCode-style grinding, expect the technical portion to focus on your resume. Interviewers will pick specific projects you have listed and ask you to explain the architecture, the challenges you faced, and the specific code contributions you made.
Be ready to go over:
- Core Languages – Concepts in C++, Java, or Python (e.g., polymorphism, memory management, object-oriented design).
- Project Lifecycle – How you moved from requirements to testing and deployment.
- Advanced concepts (less common) – For research roles, expect questions on AI/ML techniques, formal methods, or embedded systems constraints.
Example questions or scenarios:
- "Walk me through the most technically challenging project on your resume."
- "Why did you choose this specific language/tool for that project?"
- "FizzBuzz" or basic string manipulation (occasionally asked to verify basic coding competency).
Cultural Fit and Mission Interest
Lockheed Martin wants to know why you want to work in defense. They are looking for candidates who are passionate about the product—whether it's aircraft, satellites, or autonomous systems—and who respect the gravity of the work.
Be ready to go over:
- Interest in Defense – Why you chose this industry over commercial tech.
- Team Dynamics – Your preference for collaborative vs. solo work.
- Long-term Goals – How this role fits into your career trajectory.
Key Responsibilities
As a Software Engineer at Lockheed Martin, your day-to-day work is structured and collaborative, often following Agile methodologies like Scrum. You will be responsible for the full software lifecycle, which includes significant time spent on design, documentation, and testing—not just coding.
You will design and implement software solutions that integrate with complex hardware systems. This might involve developing algorithms for autonomous decision-making, creating user interfaces for command and control, or optimizing code for real-time embedded environments. For research-focused roles, you will also investigate emerging technologies (like Generative AI or neuro-symbolic reasoning) and prototype solutions to demonstrate feasibility to government customers.
Collaboration is essential. You will participate in daily stand-ups, code reviews, and sprint planning using tools like Jira and GitLab. Because the work is often classified or proprietary, you will work onsite or in a hybrid capacity, ensuring that all software meets rigorous safety and security standards (such as DevSecOps practices and military standards).
Role Requirements & Qualifications
To be competitive for this position, you must demonstrate a mix of foundational engineering skills and specific domain knowledge.
Must-have skills:
- Education: A degree in a STEM field (Computer Science, Engineering, Math, or Physics) is non-negotiable.
- Citizenship: Ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher) is a strict requirement for almost all engineering roles.
- Core Coding: Proficiency in at least one major language: C++, Java, or Python.
- Communication: Strong ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders or government partners.
Nice-to-have skills:
- AI/ML Experience: Familiarity with TensorFlow, Keras, reinforcement learning, or GenAI (highly valued for ATL roles).
- DevOps Tools: Experience with Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Embedded Systems: Knowledge of real-time operating systems (RTOS) or hardware-software integration.
- Agile Experience: Previous work in Scrum teams using Jira.
Common Interview Questions
The following questions are drawn from recent candidate experiences. While the exact wording may change, the themes remain consistent. You should prepare your answers using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for every behavioral question.
Behavioral & Leadership
This is the most critical category. Failures here cannot usually be recovered by technical excellence.
- Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.
- Describe a time you had to work with a difficult coworker. How did you handle it?
- Tell me about a time you failed or missed a deadline. What did you learn?
- Describe a situation where you had to persuade someone to see your point of view.
- Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with incomplete information.
Technical & Resume-Based
Expect open-ended discussions rather than strict quizzes.
- Walk us through the architecture of [Project X] on your resume.
- What was the most difficult technical bug you solved, and how did you solve it?
- What are the differences between C++ and Java regarding memory management?
- (For Research Roles) How would you approach validating an AI model for safety-critical use?
- (Coding) Write a function to reverse a string or solve FizzBuzz.
General & Situational
- Why do you want to work for Lockheed Martin specifically?
- How do you stay current with new technologies?
- If you were given a task you didn't know how to do, what would be your first step?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How technical are the coding questions? Most candidates report that coding questions are "easy" to "medium" difficulty. You are unlikely to face hard dynamic programming problems. Expect practical questions that test your ability to write clean, logical code (e.g., string manipulation, basic logic) or high-level architectural discussions based on your resume.
Q: What is the "4x10" schedule I hear about? Lockheed Martin offers a flexible work schedule where many employees work four 10-hour days (Monday–Thursday) and have every Friday off. This is a major perk and a significant part of the company's work-life balance culture.
Q: How long does the process take? The interview process itself can be fast (1–2 weeks), but the timeline from offer to start date can be lengthy due to background checks and security clearance processing. Interim clearances or starting on unclassified work are common solutions while waiting.
Q: Do I need a security clearance before applying? Usually, no. For most entry-to-mid-level roles, you simply need to be eligible to obtain one (which generally requires U.S. citizenship). Lockheed Martin will sponsor the clearance process after you accept the offer.
Q: Is the work remote? It depends heavily on the role. While some unclassified development can be hybrid, much of the work at Lockheed Martin involves classified data or physical hardware, requiring you to be onsite. The job posting specifically mentions a hybrid model with an onsite requirement.
Other General Tips
Master the STAR Method We cannot emphasize this enough: Lockheed Martin interviewers are trained to listen for the Situation, Task, Action, and Result structure. If you ramble or skip the "Result," you will lose points. Prepare 5–7 versatile stories that can answer multiple types of behavioral questions.
Research the "Mission" Lockheed Martin prides itself on "purposeful innovation." Before your interview, look up the specific division (e.g., Rotary and Mission Systems, Space, Missiles and Fire Control) you are interviewing with. Mentioning a specific product or mission area shows you have done your homework and care about the work.
Be Honest About What You Don't Know The culture values integrity above all else. If you are asked a technical question you don't know, admit it, and explain how you would find the answer. Interviewers prefer a "fast learner" over someone who tries to bluff.
Highlight Collaboration The "Lone Wolf" developer archetype does not fit well here. Emphasize your ability to work in teams, document your work, and mentor others. Use "we" to describe team success but "I" to clarify your specific contribution.
Summary & Next Steps
Securing a Software Engineer role at Lockheed Martin is an opportunity to work on some of the most advanced and consequential technology in the world. The company values stability, integrity, and long-term potential over short-term coding speed. Your preparation should focus heavily on articulating your past experiences clearly and demonstrating that you are a reliable, collaborative team player who is ready to support the mission.
To succeed, review your resume in depth and be prepared to defend every bullet point. Practice your behavioral stories until they are natural but structured. Remember that the interviewers are looking for a colleague they can trust with critical systems. Approach the interview with confidence, professional curiosity, and a clear expression of why you want to build the future of defense and aerospace.
The salary data provided reflects the base range for this position. Note that Lockheed Martin often provides competitive benefits, including the 4x10 work schedule and retirement contributions, which add significant value beyond the base salary. Compensation can vary based on geographic location (e.g., cost of living adjustments) and the specific clearance level you hold or obtain.
Good luck with your preparation. You have the skills to succeed—now focus on telling your story.