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Skunkworks Jobs (NOW HIRING)

General Application

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$60K - $220K/yr

About This Role If you seek high impact and ownership and are excited by fast-paced, intense, Skunkworks-style projects, we encourage you to apply to join our team. If you don't see anything posted ...

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$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

How much do skunkworks jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for skunkworks in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the unique challenges and expectations when working on a Skunkworks team?

Working on a Skunkworks team typically involves tackling highly confidential, high-impact projects with tight deadlines and shifting priorities, often requiring flexibility and resilience. You will be expected to work in a small, cross-functional group of experts who collaborate intensively to rapidly design, prototype, and iterate solutions. The work environment is usually dynamic and somewhat unconventional, with a strong emphasis on creativity, speed, and results over rigid process. This setting provides unique opportunities to shape industry-leading innovations, but also demands comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to challenge existing norms.

What is a Skunkworks job?

A Skunkworks job typically refers to working on a highly secretive or innovative project within a company, often with a small, autonomous team. These projects aim to develop breakthrough technologies or products outside the constraints of standard corporate processes. Skunkworks teams prioritize speed, agility, and creative problem-solving to push the boundaries of what is possible. The term originates from Lockheed Martin’s advanced development programs and has since been adopted across various industries.

Is it hard to get a job at Skunk Works?

Getting a job at Skunk Works, the advanced projects division of Lockheed Martin, is highly competitive due to its specialized focus on cutting-edge aerospace technology. Candidates typically need a strong background in engineering, security clearance, and relevant experience in defense or aerospace fields. The hiring process often involves rigorous interviews and assessments of technical skills and security protocols.

What is it like working for Skunk Works?

Working for Skunk Works involves engaging in advanced aerospace projects with a focus on innovation and secrecy. Employees typically work in highly specialized teams, often requiring security clearances and expertise in engineering, avionics, or related fields, with a fast-paced environment emphasizing confidentiality and cutting-edge technology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Skunkworks position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Skunkworks role, you need advanced technical expertise in engineering or product development, a track record of innovative problem-solving, and experience managing confidential or experimental projects. Familiarity with rapid prototyping tools, CAD software, project management systems, and sometimes specialized security clearances is common. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and creative thinking are crucial soft skills for navigating ambiguity and complex challenges. These capabilities enable effective progress on breakthrough projects in high-stakes, fast-paced environments where pioneering solutions are developed under tight deadlines.

How much do you get paid at Skunk Works?

Salaries for Skunk Works engineers and specialists vary based on experience, role, and location, but typically range from $80,000 to over $150,000 annually. Compensation often includes benefits such as security clearance, advanced technical skills, and working on classified or innovative projects.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Skunkworks role typically refers to a highly innovative, secretive project team within a company, often involving advanced technology or engineering. While such positions may offer high salaries, earning $10,000 a month without a degree usually requires specialized skills, experience, or entrepreneurial success in fields like software development, sales, or consulting. These roles often prioritize expertise and results over formal education.
More about Skunkworks jobs
What cities are hiring for Skunkworks jobs? Cities with the most Skunkworks job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Skunkworks jobs? The most popular types of Skunkworks jobs are:
What states have the most Skunkworks jobs? States with the most job openings for Skunkworks jobs include:
Infographic showing various Skunkworks job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.
Staff Skunkworks Manufacturing Test Engineer

Staff Skunkworks Manufacturing Test Engineer

Lockheed Martin

Palmdale, CA • On-site

$104K - $184K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Lockheed Martin rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 385 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 60 rated aerospace companies


Job description


Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. Be More Than You Can Imagine.
At Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, we're taking innovation to the next level. From designing the most advanced air vehicle to designing aircraft that defies gravity, our engineers live on the cutting edge of technology. Never have the opportunities for a technical career been so limitless.
Who You Are
You are a multi-faceted teammate able to communicate and function effectively on an engineering team to create a collaborative environment that allows for the establishment of mission goals. Self-motivated and inspired, you thrive in an environment where you are empowered to work your craft, never settling for the bare minimum.
Selected candidate will support testing during the build process.
• Interact with the aircraft across multiple sub-systems throughout assembly.
• Responsible for testing of all systems and sub-systems on the aircraft.
• Responsible for developing new test equipment as testing requirements are updated, as well as documenting complex test procedures for use by non-technical co-workers when writing procedures.
• Support the MTE Project team with the project management of test equipment and support equipment.
• Must be available to work any shift and weekends as required.
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
This position is in Palmdale, CA • Discover Palmdale.
Basic Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree
• Functional test experience including creating/maintaining System Check-Out Procedures (SCOPs), providing technical test support, and overseeing vehicle functional test software development/maintenance.
• Hands-on manufacturing and vehicle operations expertise including developing manufacturing test plans, pre-power and power-on vehicle operations, vehicle software loading, ground operations, engine runs, and integrated vehicle operations.
• Technical leadership experience with both represented and non-represented teams,
• Active Secret clearance with investigation within the last 5 years.
EEO
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.
Other Important Information
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.
Work Schedule Information
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.
National Pay Statement
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 $104,500 - $184,115. 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.
Premium Pay Statement
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $120,100 - $208,150. 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.

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About Lockheed Martin

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

As a global security and aerospace company, the majority of Lockheed Martin's business is with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. federal government agencies.The remaining portion of Lockheed Martin's business is comprised of international government and commercial sales of products, services and platforms.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Bethesda, MD, US

Year founded

1912