Software Engineer Staff, Level 4 - Clearance Required

Description: Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more — we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.


At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We’re creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security® vision. We’re erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We’re advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we’re reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity.


Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you.


Space Protection Programs (SPP) is seeking an experienced Staff Software Engineer to support the development, integration, and delivery of mission-critical spacecraft flight software and embedded systems. This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives in complex, highly integrated environments and can lead technical execution across software, hardware, systems engineering, and integration/test activities.


The selected candidate will lead development efforts spanning the full software lifecycle including architecture, design, implementation, integration, verification, and system bring-up. This individual is expected to operate with a high degree of technical ownership and execution leadership, guiding teams through complex software and hardware integration challenges while supporting Agile program execution.


This position requires strong technical depth in embedded software development, system integration, and software architecture, as well as the ability to coordinate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams and program stakeholders.


Experience with C/C++, Python, Linux-based development environments, and object-oriented design principles is required. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in dynamic mission environments, balancing technical execution, integration priorities, and evolving program needs while mentoring less experienced engineers and driving execution toward delivery milestones.


In this role you will:


Lead embedded software development, software integration, and software test activities for mission-critical spacecraft and payload systems


Lead the architecture, design, implementation, integration, and verification of complex CSCs, CSCIs, and subsystem software capabilities


Drive software-software, hardware-software, and system-level integration activities across multidisciplinary teams


Support hardware/software co-design, system bring-up, and troubleshooting activities in embedded and real-time environments


Operate as a leading member of an Agile development team, supporting Agile Release Planning, Sprint Planning, backlog refinement, and execution coordination


Help ensure work is decomposed, execution-ready, and aligned with integration sequencing and program milestones


Provide technical mentorship and peer leadership to software and systems engineering teams


Identify technical risks, integration concerns, and execution challenges early and help drive resolution paths


Act as a technical role model through hands-on execution, collaboration, and ownership


Applicants selected will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Basic Qualifications:
Ability to architect and design software solutions addressing complex embedded and distributed system problems


Strong embedded programming experience in C/C++ and Python


Experience working in Linux-based development environments


Experience with software integration, debugging, and troubleshooting across hardware/software interfaces


Comfortable operating within Agile Scrum development environments


Active TS Security Clearance
Desired Skills:
Knowledge of embedded systems architectures and experience testing and integrating embedded systems


Experience integrating complex software systems with real-time, high-performance, and/or timing-constrained requirements


Experience with MPSoC, FPGA-adjacent, and heterogeneous compute architectures


Experience developing or integrating software on AMD/Xilinx Versal or related heterogeneous compute architectures supporting embedded, real-time, or high-performance mission processing applications


Experience with hardware/software co-design and embedded platform bring-up activities


Demonstrated experience using Agile methodologies in the development, integration, and test of complex software systems


Experience leading integration efforts across software, systems engineering, hardware, and test organizations


Experience supporting system architecture, interface definition, and integration strategy development


Experience with process improvement initiatives and execution optimization


Experience supporting programs across the full lifecycle from concept development through operations and sustainment


Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic, and highly collaborative technical environments


Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence technical direction and build consensus across engineering teams


#LMSpaceSoftwareEng
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: Top Secret
Other Important Information You Should Know
Expression of Interest: 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.
Ability to Work Remotely: Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.
Work Schedules: 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.
Schedule for this Position: 9x80 every other Friday off
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 $113,900 - $200,905. 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.
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.


With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.

If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you’re invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.
Experience Level: Experienced Professional
Business Unit: SPACE
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: Software Engineering
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First