Description: Position Overview
The Canister Development Lead will lead and oversee the performance of an external supplier responsible for designing, developing, and delivering a missile‑interceptor canister. The role includes full ownership of cost, schedule, and technical performance, ensuring alignment with the Host Vehicle (HV) Program’s objectives and reporting directly to the HV Program Manager.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Subcontract Oversight – Manage the day‑to‑day relationship with the subcontractor, including contract administration, change orders, and issue resolution.
2. Cost Management – Develop, monitor, and control the subcontract budget; perform variance analysis and forecast future expenditures.
3. Schedule Control – Create and maintain an integrated schedule; identify critical path items, coordinate milestones, and drive corrective actions to mitigate delays.
4. Technical Performance – Ensure the canister meets all required specifications (mechanical, thermal, structural, and environmental) and integration interfaces with the interceptor system. Conduct technical reviews and approve deliverables.
5. Risk Management – Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, cost, and schedule risks; maintain a risk register and report status to program leadership.
6. Reporting – Prepare weekly and monthly status reports for the HV Program Manager, highlighting cost, schedule, technical health, and any deviations.
7. Stakeholder Coordination – Liaise with internal engineering, quality, procurement, and test teams to ensure seamless integration of the subcontractor’s output.
8. Compliance & Documentation – Enforce adherence to contractual terms, government regulations (e.g., ITAR, FAR), and internal policies. Maintain accurate project documentation and audit trails.
9. Continuous Improvement – Lead post‑milestone reviews and implement lessons learned to improve future subcontract performance.

Basic Qualifications:

• Experience managing complex defense contracts or aerospace subcontractors.
• Proven track record of delivering hardware projects on cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict‑resolution skills.
• Ability to convey complex technical information to both technical and senior management audiences.
• Strong written reporting ability.

Desired Skills:

• Proactive problem‑solver with a “no‑surprises” mindset.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑stakes environment.
• Collaborative team player who can bridge gaps between external vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Detail‑oriented yet capable of maintaining big‑picture focus.

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, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $128,400 - $226,435. 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: Systems Engineering: Other

Type: Full-Time

Shift: First