Where You Can Find a Job That Just Might Change the World

We live in exciting times -- defined by scientific breakthroughs, promising new technologies, and increasing international collaboration.

Nowhere is this opportunity to define the future seen more clearly than in the aerospace and defense industry. In fact, at no time in history has our industry's ingenuity and innovation been more needed than right now.

All over the world, nations are confronting security threats that are intercontinental, asymmetric, and unpredictable.

For aerospace and defense companies like Lockheed Martin, our culture is influenced by -- and many of our jobs are dedicated to -- the goal of anticipating and outthinking these emerging threats so that we better protect the lives of men and women in uniform as well our fellow citizens.

What's amazing is that not only do we strengthen national security in this collective effort, we create many revolutionary technologies -- technologies that power the economy and change lives for the better.

For instance, today, millions of people will use their smartphones to make their way to new places and destinations. This wouldn't be possible if it weren't for the Global Positioning System, commonly known as GPS, which was an outgrowth of industry work for the U.S. Air Force.

At Lockheed Martin, we've seen lives changed -- and saved -- by our products like the C-130. Because of this versatile and durable aircraft, our nation has been able to deliver humanitarian aid to people in desperate need of support after natural disasters or human conflict -- often in difficult-to-reach places.

As we look to the challenges of the future, our industry's innovations will continue to make a difference.

One of the most promising frontiers is our work in autonomous technologies.

By advancing our capabilities in autonomy, we are enabling new applications for unmanned systems to support today's firefighters, first responders, and law enforcement.

In one recent demonstration, our autonomous helicopter, K-MAX, flew remotely with the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (also known as SARA) and two other small unmanned aerial systems to locate and extinguish fires. Then they pinpointed the location of a missing person and carried that person to safety.

At Lockheed Martin, we are always thinking far into the future to invest in technologies that will define the next era of innovation for our customers. These include high-power lasers, hypersonics, new energy solutions and materials, and better manufacturing techniques and tools.

As our industry expands and advances them, it will mean more jobs and more opportunities for millions of people. In the decades since the Wright brothers first flew at Kitty Hawk, our industry has helped our economy soar.

I outlined just part of our industry's economic contributions in a recent speech at our company's annual Media Day. Here are some interesting facts:

• The aerospace and defense industry directly employs more than 1.7 million workers, which represents approximately 2 percent of the nation's total workforce, and a full 13 percent of U.S. manufacturing jobs.
• Indirectly, the aerospace and defense industry supports another 1.1 million jobs.
• The aerospace and defense industry is the nation’s leading net exporter -- generating a record trade surplus of $90 billion last year.
• And, aerospace and defense is the second largest exporting industry with 10 percent of total U.S. exports.

For Lockheed Martin alone, our contributions to U.S. job creation are poised to grow.

Production is ramping up for the F-35, the most advanced fighter jet in the world. Currently, the F-35 program employs approximately 147,000 people. We project that the program will support more than 200,000 jobs in the near term.

Given the security benefits, the substantial jobs for citizens, and the potential for life-changing innovation, there has never been a better time to be in the aerospace and defense industry.

For those of you who want to combine innovation with purpose, I encourage you to consider a career in our industry.

We offer a host of job opportunities and experiences. From engineering and project management to contracting and information systems services, our work means your job strengthens national defense, contributes to economic security, and opens the doors of opportunity for you and millions more around the world.

You can view all of Lockheed Martin's open positions at https://www.lockheedmartinjobs.com/