As we enter a new era of Strategic Weapon Systems, Lockheed Martin is a pioneer, partner, innovator, and builder. Our outstanding people are on a mission to make a difference in the world and every single day we use our creative skills and experiences to craft, design and build solutions to some of the worlds’ hardest engineering problems.
Do you want to be part of a culture that encourages employees to think big, perform with perfection and build incredible products? We provide the resources, inspiration, and focus - if you have the passion and courage to dream big, then we want to build a better tomorrow with you!
The LE2 Program Quality Associate Manager provides strategic leadership for the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Quality Team, responsible for overall team performance in implementing, maintaining, and ensuring compliance to quality and program requirements across strategic weapon systems development. This role serves as the Quality Lead, partnering with program management to drive excellence from proposals through sustainment while establishing effective business rhythms that enable team accountability and continuous improvement.
Strategic Quality Leadership
- Own quality across the full program lifecycle: proposals, contract review, start-up, development, transition to production, production, and support
- Establish quality budgets and cost commitments, ensuring Quality Assurance Plans remain documented, current, and actively implemented
- Lead independent program reviews to identify risks and drive Return-to-Green plans that directly influence program trajectory and readiness
- Maintain strong customer quality relationships and flow down contract requirements to the engineering teams and supply base
Technical & Operational Leadership
- Apply quality principles across design, incoming material, production control, product evaluation, reliability, inventory control, and R&D for both make and buy products
- Evaluate product requirements, specifications, models, designs, drawings, and procedures; conduct technical assessments of non-conforming materials through inspection, testing, and statistical analysis
- Lead product failure investigations, material review board decisions, and corrective/preventive actions to ensure reliability standards and regulatory compliance
Cross-Functional Partnership & Influence
- Collaborate with program management, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and customers to ensure quality standards are embedded throughout execution
- Serve as the Quality Lead for design, development and production phases, influencing strategic decisions at executive levels
- Present to various internal organizations and customers, translating quality requirements into actionable program guidance
Ideal candidates demonstrate a self-starter mindset capable of managing multiple priorities within a team environment while meeting documented schedule commitments. They bring proven experience presenting to internal organizations and customers, with application of quality principles across technical domains. Strong communication skills are essential for developing rapport with diverse internal and external partners. As a successful leader delivering exceptional results, the individual will foster an inclusive work environment that encourages differences and big-picture thinking, aligning with Lockheed Martin’s commitment to innovative problem-solving and mission success.
- Technical bachelors degree from an accredited college in a related discipline
- Quality Experience in a test or production environment
- Proficiency with discrepancy documents, SAP or other databases
- Experience with data analytics to report trends and achieve results, drive improvements and efficiencies
- Experience with quality and manufacturing engineering processes or policies and/or quality systems management requirements
- Must have the ability to obtain a Secret Clearance
- Must be a US Citizen
Desired Skills:
- Masters degree from an accredited college in a related discipline
- Lean Six Sigma/Green Belt or higher certification
- Familiar with other FBM related discrepancy documents/processes
- Demonstrated ability to drive strategic cross-functional projects
- Knowledgeable regarding audit processes
- Experience engaging with external government customers
- Experience in a missile processing environment
- Familiarity with missile hardware, processes, systems and enterprise requirements
- Understanding the ability to apply T9001, Technical Program Management Requirements
- Experienced with non-conformance (PR/MRB) requirements and systems
- Ability to work in a collaborative and team-based environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $118000.00 - $219100.00
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.
Skills Required
- Technical bachelor's degree from an accredited college in a related discipline
- Quality experience in a test or production environment
- Proficiency with discrepancy documents and SAP or other databases
- Experience using data analytics to report trends and drive improvements and efficiencies
- Experience with quality and manufacturing engineering processes, policies, or quality systems management requirements
- Ability to obtain a Secret clearance
- Must be a US citizen
- Master's degree from an accredited college in a related discipline
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification
- Familiarity with FBM-related discrepancy documents and processes
- Experience driving strategic cross-functional projects
- Knowledge of audit processes
- Experience engaging with external government customers
- Experience in a missile processing environment
- Familiarity with missile hardware, processes, systems, and enterprise requirements
- Understanding of T9001 and Technical Program Management requirements
- Experience with nonconformance PR/MRB requirements and systems
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Lockheed Martin Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Lockheed Martin and has not been reviewed or approved by Lockheed Martin.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout element, with a strong 401(k) program and options like an employee stock purchase plan. Feedback suggests these features meaningfully enhance total compensation and long‑term financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is portrayed as comprehensive from day one, with multiple plan options, mental health resources, and virtual care. Wellness supports such as on‑site services and preventive programs are also highlighted.
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Flexible Benefits — Work arrangements often include compressed schedules and telework, contributing to a favorable work‑life balance. Feedback suggests this flexibility is a key reason many view the overall package positively.
Lockheed Martin Insights
What We Do
Customer Focus, Innovation and Purpose are Built Into Everything We Do. Lockheed Martin. Your Mission is Ours ™. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
