Lockheed Martin Internship 2027–2028: Programs, Deadlines & How to Apply

Last updated: July 2026

Lockheed Martin hires over 4,000 interns and co-ops every year across 375+ US facilities, making it one of the largest defense and aerospace internship programs in the country. It also has one of the tightest filters: community estimates put the acceptance rate below 10%. For the 2027–2028 cycle (you apply during 2027, you intern in summer 2028), college-level positions are expected to post on a rolling basis from August through October 2027, roughly 9 to 10 months before the June start. That lead time matters because Lockheed reviews applications as they come in, and applying within the first two weeks of a posting dramatically improves your odds.

Quick Facts

The headline numbers: positions begin posting around August 2027 for a summer 2028 start, review is rolling, and US citizenship is mandatory for virtually all roles due to ITAR and security clearance requirements.

Externships are short, remote professional experience programs where you finish a real project with a real company. The Wayfair AI Agent Engineering for Business Intelligence Externship and the Hydroficient IoT Cyber Defense Externship build exactly the systems engineering and cybersecurity evidence that an August application to Lockheed needs. Explore all Externships.

What Is a Lockheed Martin Internship?

A Lockheed Martin internship is a paid, 10-to-12-week summer placement that puts you inside one of four business areas (Aeronautics, Space, Missiles and Fire Control, or Rotary and Mission Systems) working on real defense and aerospace programs. Interns rate the experience 4.4 out of 5 on Glassdoor with 96% recommending it to a friend, and Lockheed was voted the #1 ideal employer for engineering students in the Universum 2024 survey. This isn't a coffee-run internship. You'll work on programs like the F-35, GPS III satellites, or missile defense systems, and exceptional performers move into the Engineering Leadership Development Program or receive direct return offers.

When Do Lockheed Martin Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?

Lockheed Martin's hiring calendar follows a consistent multi-year pattern: college internship positions begin posting in August, peak through October, and remain on a rolling basis through spring. The company uses Workday and encourages applicants to apply within 5 to 30 days of a posting for optimal consideration. So for summer 2028, you'll apply in fall 2027, roughly 9 to 10 months before the late-May start date. One key difference from tech companies: the security clearance process adds 2 to 4 weeks between offer acceptance and your actual start, so offers tend to go out earlier (February through April) to accommodate that timeline.

Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open

Lockheed Martin's postings explicitly state that positions close "when the applicant pool is sufficient or after 90 days." That means the class fills while postings are still technically live, and late applicants are competing for whatever seats remain. Internal data from the company suggests a 2.3x higher response rate when you apply within the first 48 hours. The math is simple: if you wait until November to apply for something that posted in August, you're not early anymore. You're leftover. And because Lockheed interviews on a rolling basis too, week-one applicants get first access to the best teams and locations.

Which Lockheed Martin Internship Programs Should You Target?

Lockheed Martin organizes internships across six major tracks and four business areas. Which one should you target? The honest answer is the one that matches your major and clearance comfort level, because every track interviews against its own job description and virtually all require US citizenship.

See all open positions on the official internships portal. And note the extended options: co-ops run 4 to 8 months for deeper immersion, while the College Work Experience Program (CWEP) at partner universities offers year-round part-time placements of 12 to 25 hours per week.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

Lockheed Martin publishes consistent requirements across intern postings, but one stands far above the rest:

• US citizenship (MANDATORY): Every posting analyzed requires US citizenship due to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and security clearance requirements. This is not negotiable for engineering, software, and cyber roles. Lockheed does not sponsor H-1B visas for interns. International students on F-1 visas are generally not eligible.

• Green card holders: Limited opportunities only. While permanent residents qualify as "US Persons" under ITAR for export control, most engineering internships specifically require US citizenship because they involve classified programs. Only rare non-cleared corporate roles may accept green card holders.

• Enrollment: current undergraduate or graduate student actively pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree, returning to school after the internship. ABET-accredited programs preferred for engineering.

• GPA: 3.0 is the commonly cited desired minimum, though it is not always a hard cutoff. For ELDP and leadership programs, aim for 3.3 to 3.5+.

• Security clearance eligibility: You don't need an existing clearance, but you must be clearance-eligible. Lockheed sponsors clearances for US citizens after offer acceptance. Disqualifiers include recent marijuana use (within 12 months), undisclosed foreign contacts, and significant financial irresponsibility.

Why US Citizenship Is the Real Filter at Lockheed Martin

This is the single biggest differentiator between Lockheed Martin and most other large internship programs. Why does it matter so much? Roughly 70% of roles require security clearance, which is only available to US citizens. The remaining 30% still require "US Person" status under ITAR, and even those are overwhelmingly filled by citizens. If you hold a green card, your options narrow to a handful of non-cleared corporate positions in HR, marketing, or certain supply chain functions. If you need H-1B sponsorship, Lockheed Martin internships are effectively not available to you. This isn't a preference or a soft filter. It's a legal gate imposed by federal export control law, and no amount of qualifications can override it.

What Skills Does Lockheed Martin Look For, and How Do You Build Them?

Ten real Lockheed Martin intern postings reveal a clear pattern: technical skills vary by track, but clearance eligibility and communication show up everywhere. Microsoft Office appears in 7 of 10 postings because every business area needs interns who can document findings and brief stakeholders. The engineering-specific asks split along predictable lines: C/C++ and Python dominate software and cyber roles, MATLAB and CAD tools dominate aerospace and mechanical roles, and data analysis crosses every track. What does that tell you? Lockheed hires specialists who can also communicate clearly across teams, because defense projects are cross-functional by nature.

How Is Demand for Engineering Interns Moving Right Now?

Build These Skills Before You Apply

And every skill in the chart maps to a remote Externship where you can finish a real company project before the August posting window opens.

How close is the overlap? The Wayfair deliverable is a systems-level engineering project in the SWE posting's own vocabulary, and the Hydroficient project covers defensive cyber operations that map directly to Lockheed's RMF and STIG compliance language.

What Is the Lockheed Martin Application and Interview Process Like?

Lockheed Martin's interview process averages about 31 days from application to offer, with a Glassdoor difficulty rating of 2.6 out of 5. Here's what to expect:

1. Create a profile on lockheedmartinjobs.com (Workday platform). Search for intern positions by business area, location, or keyword.

2. Submit your application with a tailored resume. Answer ALL screening questions completely (citizenship, clearance willingness, relocation, export control). Unanswered questions result in automatic disqualification.

3. Application review by the Talent Acquisition team, typically 4 to 8 weeks. You may receive a scheduling email from LEO, an AI assistant from @paradox.ai.

4. Recruiter phone screen (30 minutes): resume walkthrough, motivation, basic qualifications, and clearance eligibility confirmation.

5. Technical and behavioral panel with the hiring manager and engineers (45 to 60 minutes): structured STAR-format questions with a strong safety-first cultural emphasis. Expect 4 to 8 behavioral questions probing for quantifiable results.

6. Conditional offer pending background check and interim security clearance (2 to 4 weeks for candidates with clean records).

There's no universal coding test or HireVue video round for most engineering intern roles at Lockheed. Some software positions include a technical discussion on C/C++ fundamentals and OOP, but it's not LeetCode-style. The real test is behavioral. Prepare 6 to 8 STAR stories emphasizing safety-first decision making, process adherence, and measurable results. And know your target program: saying "I want to work on F-35 avionics" shows more initiative than "I'm interested in engineering." Our HireVue question guide with a free AI mock tool helps you rehearse the behavioral format under time pressure.

What Students on Reddit Say

Three community discussions show the process from the inside.

How Do You Stand Out When Fewer Than 10% Get In?

What separates the 10% who get in from the 90% who don't? Three moves, all executable before August. First, apply within 48 hours of posting. Lockheed's own data shows a 2.3x response rate improvement for early applicants, and rolling review means the best teams fill their seats first. Second, tailor your resume to the specific program. Use exact acronyms from the posting (F-35, GPS III, THAAD, Aegis), because the Workday ATS matches keywords and recruiters notice familiarity with the programs they manage. Third, build clearance-readiness into your narrative. If your record is clean, say so explicitly in interviews. If you have minor issues (a traffic ticket, student debt), know that those don't disqualify you, but proactively demonstrating financial responsibility and stability signals maturity. And remember: a referral from a current employee significantly expedites review. If you know anyone at Lockheed, ask them to submit your name before you apply online.

What Other Companies Should You Consider?

Lockheed Martin's peer set includes the other defense primes and government-adjacent aerospace companies that share the same clearance requirements and STAR-behavioral interview culture.

Our engineering internships summer 2027 guide maps the full aerospace and defense landscape, timeline by timeline.

FAQ

Can I still apply for a summer 2027 Lockheed Martin internship?

Possibly. Since Lockheed uses rolling admissions, some summer 2027 positions may still be open on lockheedmartinjobs.com as of July 2026. Check the portal now and apply immediately to any open role, because positions close once the applicant pool is sufficient or after 90 days. If nothing remains, the summer 2028 window opens around August 2027.

Do I need to be a US citizen to intern at Lockheed Martin?

Yes, for virtually all positions. ITAR regulations and security clearance requirements mean that engineering, software, and cyber internships universally require US citizenship. Lockheed does not sponsor H-1B visas for interns. Some rare non-engineering corporate roles may accept permanent residents, but those are exceptions rather than the rule.

Can a permanent resident or green card holder apply?

In limited cases. Green card holders qualify as US Persons under ITAR for export-control purposes, but most engineering internships specifically require US citizenship because they involve classified programs where clearances are needed. Only non-cleared corporate roles (HR, marketing, certain supply chain positions) may be available to permanent residents.

Do I need a security clearance before applying?

No. You don't need an existing clearance. Lockheed Martin sponsors security clearances for eligible US citizens after you accept an offer. You only need to be clearance-eligible, meaning no disqualifying factors like recent drug use, undisclosed foreign contacts, or significant financial irresponsibility.

What GPA do I need for a Lockheed Martin internship?

A 3.0 is the commonly cited desired minimum, but it's not always enforced as a hard cutoff. Students below 3.0 with strong compensating factors (relevant projects, prior internships, leadership) have reported receiving interviews. For competitive programs like ELDP or Skunk Works, aim for 3.3 to 3.5 or higher.

Does Lockheed Martin provide housing for interns?

Yes. Qualifying interns receive housing assistance ranging from $850 to $5,500 per month depending on location. Some sites offer furnished shared apartments near facilities. Relocation travel reimbursement is also common. The exact benefit varies by position and assignment location.

How long does the Lockheed Martin hiring process take?

The average time from application to offer is approximately 31 days, based on Glassdoor data from 103 submissions. However, the interim clearance process adds 2 to 4 weeks after offer acceptance for candidates with clean records. Full clearance adjudication takes longer, but you can start work on an interim clearance.

What is the Lockheed Martin interview format?

Structured behavioral interviews using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Expect 1 to 2 rounds: a recruiter phone screen (30 minutes) followed by a technical and behavioral panel with the hiring manager (45 to 60 minutes). Safety-first culture questions are common. Glassdoor rates difficulty 2.6 out of 5 with 76% positive experiences.

Positions post on a rolling basis starting around August, and the earliest applicants get the best teams. Spend the runway building proof: a remote Externship turns "interested in aerospace" into a finished engineering project your application can point at.