Job ID: 721827BR Date posted: Mar. 24, 2026
Description:We are Lockheed Martin

The Functional Operations Senior Manager provides senior leadership for the Engineering and Maintenance workforce supporting all flight test programs at Edwards AFB and the associated Palmdale test site. This role is responsible for defining and securing the people and material resources required to execute flight test missions safely, on schedule, and within budget. The senior manager also leads talent management activities—including pay and performance reviews, promotion planning, and “Lockheed Martin (LM) Recognition” initiatives—to ensure a high performing, motivated team.

Key Responsibilities-
Strategic Workforce Leadership:
• Serve as the senior leader for ~400+ engineers, maintainers, and specialists across Edwards and Palmdale.
• Develop and communicate the functional vision, aligning it with overall flight test objectives and corporate strategy.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Resource Identification & Capture:
• Conduct rigorous analyses of upcoming flight test schedules to determine required staffing levels, skill sets, and material assets.
• Create and maintain a rolling resource forecast (people, tooling, test equipment, spares) for all programs.
• Partner with program operations site leads and program managers to secure budget approvals for program requirements.

Program Execution Support:
• Ensure engineering and maintenance teams have the right expertise and tools to meet test point milestones.
• Monitor execution metrics (e.g., test turnaround time, equipment availability, manpower utilization) and drive corrective actions when needed.
• Act as the escalation point for resource related issues impacting flight test schedules.

Talent Management & Performance:
• Oversee annual pay and performance review cycles for all functional personnel.
• Develop promotion pipelines and succession plans for key technical and leadership roles.
• Drive the LM Recognition program—nominating, reviewing, and celebrating outstanding individual and team contributions.

Leadership Development:
• Mentor and coach mid level managers and technical leads.
• Facilitate professional development opportunities (training, certifications, cross program assignments).

Stakeholder Collaboration:
• Liaise with program managers, test pilots, safety officers, and external partners (NASA, DoD agencies) to align resource plans with mission requirements.
• Represent the functional organization in senior leadership briefings and review boards.

Compliance & Reporting:
• Ensure compliance with DoD/AF regulations, corporate policies, and safety standards.
• Provide regular status reports on workforce capacity, material readiness, and performance metrics to senior leadership.

**Must be a US Citizen. This position is located at a facility that requires special access.**
EngineeringAeronautics


What’s In It For You
Our employees play an active role in strengthening the quality of life where we live and work by volunteering more than 850,000 hours annually. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:
• Medical
• Dental
• 401k
• Paid time off
• Work/life balance
• Career development
• Mentorship opportunities
• Rewards & recognition

Learn more about Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive benefits package here.
Basic Qualifications:
Leadership experience over multiple teams of different disciplines

Experience in developing Corrective Action and Demonstrated Problem Solving skills

Experience with addressing complex matters/solutions and Presenting Plans, Actions, Strategy to Senior Leadership

Familiarization with Edwards/Air Force Test Processes and Procedures

Knowledge of Fighter aircraft systems and flight test operations

Active Secret security clearance with investigation no more than 5 years
Desired Skills:
Experience in project planning, developing estimates, and negotiating contracts

Experience in Business/Financial Earned Value Processes

Experience with developing organizations and demonstrated planning and time management skills

Experience with managing, coaching, training and motivating teams in technical and strategic development
Security Clearance Statement: This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration.
Clearance Level: Secret with Investigation or CV date within 5 years
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: 4x10 hour day, 3 days off per week
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 $151,200 - $266,570. 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.
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $173,900 - $301,415. 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.
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: AERONAUTICS COMPANY
Relocation Available: Possible
Career Area: Systems Engineering: Assembly/Integration and Test
Type: Full-Time
Shift: First