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Lockheed Pilot Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Lockheed Pilot information

See Illinois salary details

$48K

$126.9K

$194.8K

How much do lockheed pilot jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for lockheed pilot in Illinois is $126,861.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,900.00 and $150,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lockheed Pilot, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lockheed Pilot, you need advanced aeronautical knowledge, a commercial or military pilot license, and extensive flight hours in complex aircraft. Familiarity with Lockheed-specific avionics, flight management systems, and sometimes military-grade simulators or mission planning tools is typically required. Exceptional situational awareness, decision-making under pressure, and strong communication skills set top pilots apart. These competencies ensure the safe and effective operation of sophisticated aircraft in demanding environments, where precision and reliability are critical.

How to become a pilot for Lockheed Martin?

To become a Lockheed Martin pilot, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in aviation, aerospace engineering, or a related field, along with a commercial pilot's license and relevant flight hours. Military or civilian flight experience, strong technical skills, and security clearances are often required for this aerospace and defense contractor role.

How much do Lockheed U 2 pilots make?

Lockheed U-2 pilots, who operate high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft for the military, typically earn between $80,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, rank, and years of service. Military pilots often receive additional benefits such as housing allowances, healthcare, and retirement plans.

What are the typical challenges Lockheed pilots face when operating advanced military aircraft?

Lockheed pilots often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly evolving technology, managing complex avionics systems, and maintaining peak performance during high-stress missions. Additionally, they must stay current with frequent updates to tactical procedures and comply with rigorous safety protocols. Collaboration with ground crews, mission planners, and other pilots is essential for mission success, and pilots are expected to continually refine their skills through ongoing training and simulation exercises.

Is it hard to get hired at Lockheed Martin?

Getting hired as a Lockheed Pilot is competitive due to the company's high standards and specialized skills required, such as aviation experience, security clearances, and relevant certifications. Candidates often undergo rigorous interviews, background checks, and training assessments. Strong technical knowledge and a proven track record in aviation increase the chances of employment.

How much do Lockheed Martin pilots make?

Lockheed Martin pilots typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and specific roles such as test pilots or commercial pilots. Salaries can vary based on the complexity of the aircraft and the level of security clearance required.

What is the difference between Lockheed Pilot vs Boeing Pilot?

AspectLockheed PilotBoeing Pilot
Required CertificationsCommercial Pilot License, Type Ratings for Lockheed aircraftCommercial Pilot License, Type Ratings for Boeing aircraft
Work EnvironmentMilitary and government operations, specialized aircraftCommercial airlines, passenger and cargo flights
Employer & IndustryLockheed Martin, defense and aerospace industryBoeing, commercial aviation industry

Both Lockheed Pilots and Boeing Pilots require similar certifications like a Commercial Pilot License and specific type ratings. Lockheed Pilots typically operate military or government aircraft in defense settings, while Boeing Pilots work for commercial airlines flying passengers or cargo. The work environments and industry focus differ, but the core pilot qualifications are comparable.

What are Lockheed pilots?

Lockheed pilots are highly trained professionals who operate aircraft manufactured by Lockheed Martin, such as the F-35 Lightning II, C-130 Hercules, and other military or specialized planes. These pilots are typically members of the military or contractors who receive specialized training to handle the advanced technology and systems in Lockheed aircraft. Their responsibilities include conducting test flights, executing missions, and ensuring the safety and performance of the aircraft. Lockheed pilots play a crucial role in defense operations, research, and development of aviation technology.
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Lockheed Pilot jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Lockheed Pilot job openings:
Infographic showing various Lockheed Pilot job openings in Illinois as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,861 per year, or $61 per hour.
Senior Finance Manager, Capital Planning & Management

Senior Finance Manager, Capital Planning & Management

PsiQuantum

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$112K - $153K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

PsiQuantum's mission is to build the first useful quantum computers-machines capable of delivering the breakthroughs the field has long promised. Since our founding in 2016, our singular focus has been to build and deploy million-qubit, fault-tolerant quantum systems.
Quantum computers harness the laws of quantum mechanics to solve problems that even the most advanced supercomputers or AI systems will never reach. Their impact will span energy, pharmaceuticals, finance, agriculture, transportation, materials, and other foundational industries.
Our architecture and approach is based on silicon photonics. By leveraging the advanced semiconductor manufacturing industry-including partners like GlobalFoundries-we use the same high-volume processes that already produce billions of chips for telecom and consumer electronics. Photonics offers natural advantages for scale: photons don't feel heat, are immune to electromagnetic interference, and integrate with existing cryogenic cooling and standard fiber-optic infrastructure.
In 2024, PsiQuantum announced government-funded projects to support the build-out of our first utility-scale quantum computers in Brisbane, Australia, and Chicago, Illinois. These initiatives reflect a growing recognition that quantum computing will be strategically and economically defining-and that now is the time to scale.
PsiQuantum also develops the algorithms and software needed to make these systems commercially valuable. Our application, software, and industry teams work directly with leading Fortune 500 companies-including Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Mitsubishi Chemical-to prepare quantum solutions for real-world impact.
Quantum computing is not an extension of classical computing. It represents a fundamental shift-and a path to mastering challenges that cannot be solved any other way. The potential is enormous, and we have a clear path to make it real.
Come join us.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a Senior Finance Manager in the FP&A team with experience supporting capital-intensive, advanced hardware businesses in a startup or high-growth environment. This role is ideal for a finance leader who thrives in ambiguity, operates with a proactive, builder mindset, and can establish scalable capital planning processes, controls, and financial discipline while maintaining flexibility as the business evolves.
This individual contributor role partners with Engineering/R&D, Operations, Facilities, IT, and Accounting to provide financial leadership across high-value capital expenditures, complex equipment purchases, and large-scale facility and lab projects.
Role will require candidate to have on-site flexibility to work in Palo Alto and Milpitas offices as situation requires.
Responsibilities:
Capital Planning, Controls & Governance
  • Design and own capital planning frameworks, including approval workflows, funding governance, and prioritization models appropriate for a startup or scaling environment.
  • Establish and continuously improve controls, processes, and structure around capital requests, project approvals, and spend tracking while balancing speed and rigor.
  • Develop capital authorization policies and ensure compliance as the organization grows.

Capital Expenditures & Project Finance
  • Lead FP&A for large-scale capital investments related to semiconductor equipment, advanced computing systems, R&D labs, and specialized facilities.
  • Partner with R&D to evaluate investments in building the world's first useful quantum computer, including tooling, test equipment, cryogenic systems, and supporting infrastructure.
  • Build and maintain robust tracking and scenario models for long-cycle, high-risk technology investments.
  • Own short- and long-range capex forecasting, adjusting plans dynamically as priorities evolve.

Purchase Orders & Spend Tracking
  • Oversee purchase order creation, approvals, and commitment tracking for multi-vendor, long lead-time equipment and construction projects.
  • Implement scalable methods to track committed vs. actual spend, progress payments, and milestone-based billing.
  • Proactively identify risks, overruns, and timing issues and partner with stakeholders on mitigation plans.

Accounting & Financial Close Support
  • Serve as a key finance partner to Accounting on capitalization, depreciation, construction-in-progress (CIP), asset lives, and impairment for advanced hardware and facilities.
  • Ensure appropriate accounting treatment for tooling, wafers, masks, prototypes, pilot lines, lab equipment, cryogenic infrastructure, and specialized software.
  • Support month-end and quarter-end close activities related to fixed assets and project accounting in accordance with US GAAP.

FP&A & Strategic Business Partnership
  • Act as a trusted, hands-on finance partner to leadership in a fast-moving startup environment, providing clear insights despite incomplete data.
  • Translate technically complex project and engineering inputs into executive-ready financial summaries.
  • Balance long-term technology bets with near-term cash management and funding constraints.

Systems, Tools & Process Improvement
  • Leverage NetSuite or comparable ERP and project accounting tools to support high-value capital projects.
  • Lead process improvements and system enhancements for fixed assets, CIP, and project tracking as the organization scales.
  • Build financial infrastructure that can evolve from early-stage to more mature operations.

Experience/Qualifications:
Required
  • 8+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or capital-focused finance roles.
  • Experience in semiconductor, advanced hardware, electronics, or similarly capital-intensive industries.
  • Strong understanding of capital expenditure accounting, fixed assets, CIP, and long-lived assets.
  • Hands-on experience with NetSuite or comparable ERP systems.
  • Advanced financial modeling and analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and drive initiatives forward with limited direction.

Preferred
  • MBA preferred.
  • Experience scaling financial controls and governance alongside rapid organizational growth.

Key Competencies
  • Builder mindset with strong ownership mentality.
  • Comfort with ambiguity and evolving priorities.
  • Proactive problem-solving and bias toward action.
  • Strategic capital allocation and financial rigor.
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration with technical teams.
  • Ability to balance flexibility with discipline and control.

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.
Note: PsiQuantum will only reach out to you using an official PsiQuantum email address and will never ask you for bank account information as part of the interview process. Please report any suspicious activity to recruiting@psiquantum.com
We are not accepting unsolicited resumes from employment agencies.
The ranges below reflect the target ranges for a new hire base salary. One is for the Bay Area (within 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto), the second one (if applicable) is for elsewhere in the US (beyond 50 miles of HQ, Palo Alto). If there is only one range, it is for the specific location of where the position will be located. Actual compensation may vary outside of these ranges and is dependent on various factors including but not limited to a candidate's qualifications including relevant education and training, competencies, experience, geographic location, and business needs. Base pay is only one part of the total compensation package. Full time roles are eligible for equity and benefits. Base pay is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
U.S. Base Pay Range
$155,000-$178,000 USD
Bay Area Pay Range
$195,000-$205,000 USD