Applications Engineer Principal - Level 6

Lockheed Martin; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 198,000 - 368,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible work arrangements (e.g., 4x10

401(k) match

Job summary

Lockheed Martin in Palmdale, CA is seeking a principal Applications Engineer to drive change within Aero Operations and shape long‑range investment strategies. You will support strategic initiatives, lead cross‑functional efforts, and develop investment plans for critical capabilities.

The role requires strong program management and a track record of influencing senior leaders. You will build relationships across teams and accelerate progress for key initiatives while enabling strategic decision

Qualifications

• Expertise in Full Size Determinant Assembly (FSDA) and its application to fabrication techniques.
• Experience conducting Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs) to evaluate processes and maturity.
• Exposure to aerospace fabrication processes such as composites or metallic/non‑metallic machining.
• Proficiency with change management and/or project management methodologies.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior and executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead Commodity and Site Strategy development across Operations to align investments.
• Generate MRAs to validate program maturity and champion their use organization‑wide.
• Develop long‑term investment plans for critical capabilities.
• Support Make‑Buy & Make‑Where analyses and Pursuit & Capture efforts.
• Implement process standardization and business rhythm across the team.

Skills

FSDA

MRAs

Aerospace fabrication

Change management

Project management

Executive communication

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Mechanical/ Aerospace/ Industrial Engineering or MBA

Job description

Standard Job Description

The Aero Operations Strategy & Pursuits (AOS&P) team is seeking a full-time Applications Engineer Principal to perform as a change agent for our team, Aero Operations, and our stakeholders. AOS&P acts as a focal point for Operations in developing long range investment plans, refining core make/buy governing processes, rationalizing capability developments, and applying strategic imperatives. In this role, you will be instrumental in refining core governing processes, developing long range investment plans, and supporting a variety of strategic initiatives.

What You Will Be Doing

As the Applications Engineer Principal - Level 6 you will be responsible for driving change within Aero Operations, shaping long‑range investment strategies, and supporting key strategic initiatives.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Lead Commodity and Site Strategy development to generate alignment and identify investment opportunities across Operations.
• Generate Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs) to validate program maturity and champion their use organization‑wide.
• Develop long‑term investment plans for critical capabilities.
• Support Make‑Buy & Make‑Where analyses and Pursuit & Capture efforts.
• Implement process standardization and business rhythm across the team.

This highly impactful role will require you to build strong cross‑functional relationships while managing expectations for a variety of stakeholders and senior leaders across Aero Operations. An ideal candidate will have a passion for fostering a change management mindset among the team and a desire to exercise project management and leadership skills to organize and accelerate progress for key strategic initiatives. You will make a difference to our bottom line by enabling strategic decision making needed to execute the work of today while preparing for the work of tomorrow.

What’s In It For You

We are committed to supporting your work‑life balance and overall well‑being, offering flexible scheduling options. Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive benefits package here. Do you want to be part of a company culture that empowers employees to think big, lead with a growth mindset, and make the impossible a reality? We provide the resources and give you the flexibility to enable inspiration and focus – if you have the passion and courage to imagine bold solutions, work hard, and enjoy what you do, then we want to build a better tomorrow with you.

Who You Are

You are a collaborative change‑agent with a passion for modernizing processes and influencing senior leaders. You bring strong project‑management and leadership skills, can build cross‑functional relationships, and thrive in fast‑moving, strategic environments. Your mindset drives continuous improvement and you excel at turning complex challenges into actionable plans.

Further Information About This Opportunity

• MUST BE A U.S. CITIZEN - This position is located at a facility that requires special access.
• The selected candidate must be able to obtain a secret clearance.

Gathers information concerning the capabilities of company products; investigates the technical capabilities of company products and competing equipment; stays abreast of developments in hardware and software; analyzes customer problems; assists in designing systems to satisfy customer needs. Prepares equipment analysis to instruct sales force and customers in equipment capabilities. May prepare and present sales proposals.

Basic Qualifications

• Expertise in Full Size Determinant Assembly (FSDA) and it’s application to Assembly or Fabrication techniques.
• Experience conducting Manufacturing Readiness Assessments (MRAs) to evaluate technical processes and program maturity.
• Exposure to aerospace fabrication processes such as composites fabrication or metallic and non‑metallic machining operations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with change management and/or project management methodologies.
• Ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organization including senior and executive leadership.

Desired Skills

• Bachelor's/Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Industrial Engineering or an MBA.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in Operations, Manufacturing, Strategic Planning, or related fields
• Experience with strategy development and execution within Operations, Manufacturing, and/or Supply Chain
• Broad knowledge of Operations responsibilities and processes for aircraft development, production, and sustainment
• Self‑motivated and ability to work in a fast‑paced aircraft development and production environment
• Active Secret Security Clearance

Pay Information

GeoZone Definition: GeoZones are geographic groupings created by Lockheed Martin to align compensation ranges with regional labor markets and cost-of-labor differences across the United States. Locations are assigned a Geo Zone based on the primary work location of the role.

• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 1): $198400.00 - $368400.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Sunnyvale CA; Pal Alto, CA; New York City metropolitan area; Newark, New Jersey; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 2): $178500.00 - $331500.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Denver, CO; King of Prussia, PA; Stratford, CT; Moorestown, NJ; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 3): $158700.00 - $294700.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Dallas–Fort Worth, TX; Orlando, FL; Grand Prairie, TX; Marietta, GA; etc.
• Full-time salary range (GEOZONE 4): $142800.00 - $265200.00
  • Includes metropolitan areas such as Camden, AR; Lexington, KY; Lufkin, TX; etc.

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well‑being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed 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(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (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.