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RF Engineering

Payload Systems Engineering Associate Manager

Littleton, Colorado

Littleton, Colorado

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Responsibilities

Job ID: 703442BR Date posted: Sep. 03, 2025 Program: SDA T2B
Description:About Lockheed Martin Space: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

About the Role:
The RF Talent Center is seeking a motivated RF Engineering Associate Manager to lead a skilled team supporting the Space Development Agency (SDA) Wildfire Program Portfolio.

This position is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of multiple communication subsystems to the program. The communication subsystem consists of digital, RF, and optical components and that collectively transmit mission information across a constellation of satellites.
You will guide a team of Payload subsystem Certified Principal Engineers (CPEs), Responsible Systems Engineers (RSEs), and Integration and Test engineers in the design, development, integration, and delivery of complex RF subsystems and flight hardware. You will ensure technical requirements, specifications, analyses, and test strategies are successfully executed while driving trade studies and technical decisions that impact mission performance.
Equally important, you will hire, coach, and grow RF engineering talent. You will provide clear direction, foster collaboration, recognize accomplishments, and create development opportunities for your team. You will partner with program leadership across engineering, manufacturing, and program management to align technical execution with mission needs.

What You’ll Do:
As an RF Systems Engineering Associate Manager, you will:
• Lead and develop an experienced team of RF engineers while promoting technical excellence and career growth
• Build the talent pipeline by hiring, mentoring, and training RF engineering staff.
• Evaluate team members through performance reviews, guide promotions, manage merit considerations, and recognize achievements.
• Own and manage all payload systems engineering work products including specifications, requirements, analyses, and verification/test plans and strategies.
• Ensure Lockheed Martin Space standard processes, tools, best practices, and training are properly implemented across the team.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively across program leadership, including Program Management, Chief Engineer, and IPT leads.
• Apply Lockheed Martin’s Full Spectrum Leadership values to foster a high-performance team culture.

Successful applicants will typically possess a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college in a related (e.g. Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or other relevant discipline)

Basic Qualifications:
Skill Requirements:
• Background in RF design, systems engineering, or integration and test with proven leadership responsibilities • Experience guiding teams through major program milestones such as design reviews, test readiness, integration, or delivery
• Demonstrated people management skills including mentoring, coaching, performance management, and team development

Security Clearance / Work Authorization:
• To meet requirements of the program/customer, this position requires the selected employee to be a U.S. Citizen
• Although not required to start, applicants must be eligible to obtain a US government issued Secret security clearance
Desired Skills:
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence across stakeholders effectively, including customers, suppliers, management, and peers.
• Experience developing and delivering RF or digital hardware for space applications
• Background as an IPT lead, CPE, or RSE or equivalent leadership role
• Experience working on Mission Assurance Class C and/or D Programs
• Experience/Ability to work in a fast paced environment
• Active or ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: 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 and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $118,700 - $209,300. 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: RF Engineering
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First
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About

Here at Lockheed Martin, our RF Engineers work on a variety of advanced RF applications – those used on the earth, below the earth and above the earth. These range from the world's most advanced fighter aircraft to precision engagement aerospace and defense systems to surface, air and undersea applications to cutting edge space systems. This work encompasses one or more of the following broad RF disciplines: RF Design, RF Systems, Antenna Design, Radar Systems Engineering, RF Signal Processing, MMW/Microwave Design, MMIC Design, Radar Cross-Section Analysis (RCS), Low Observables/Stealth and Electromagnetic Capability/Electromagnetic Interference (EMC/EMI).

Our Commitment to Sustainability: We foster innovation, integrity and security to preserve the environment, strengthen diverse communities and propel growth.

Here, the possibilities are endless because we offer:

  • Full Time
  • Level: Entry, Mid, Senior
  • Travel: Minimal, dependent on role

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Qualifications

What does a successful RF Engineering employee at Lockheed Martin look like?
Check out the info below to see if you have what it takes.

  • Collaborative

    There is no innovation without imagination. You bring new, different and exciting ideas to the table every day.

  • Imaginative

    From aerospace to outer space to cyber space, you can solve the world's most complex challenges for our customers.

  • Results-driven

    You are a great decision maker who strives to make things happen quickly and efficiently.

  • Team Player

    You embrace collaboration and are committed to the success of your team.

  • Technologically Savvy

    Whatever you know today could be different tomorrow as technology is constantly changing. Strong technical skills and intellectual depth with a willingness to continually learn from others are important traits.

  • Problem-solver

    Working in the RF Engineering space means working together to tackle tough problems with complex solutions.

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Quote

“The RF field is very broad. For example, I work with spacecraft antennas, but I have colleagues that work with missiles and aircraft sensor systems. At any given time, my team is working on 10 or more projects, ranging from antennas that support weather forecasting to connecting warfighters across the globe.”

Shane L., RF Engineering Sr. Manager

Benefits

  • Healthcare

    Medical, Dental and Vision coverage is available for employees who opt-in.

  • 401(k)/Retirement Plans

    Our 401(k) plan features generous matching and company contributions.

  • Professional Development

    We support our employees through mentoring, internal & external educational programs, networking, skills enhancement and career-building programs.

  • Maternity and Paternity Leave

    Our generous parental leave policies support your journey into parenthood. When you return to work, our facilities offer mother's rooms to support your transition and work/life balance.

  • Paid Time Off

    We offer PTO, paid holidays and paid time off for jury duty and military obligations.

  • Flex-time

    Depending on the position, we offer a flexible work schedule.

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