Lockheed Martin: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

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Lockheed Martin: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Lockheed Martin is the largest defense contractor in the world by revenue, supplying advanced technology systems to the US Department of Defense and allied governments. Given the national security context of its work, Lockheed Martin conducts thorough pre-employment screening on candidates, and many roles also require a government-issued security clearance. This article covers what candidates can expect from the Lockheed Martin background check process, how long it takes, and what factors can affect the outcome.

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Lockheed Martin: Company overview

Lockheed Martin Corporation was formed in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, two legacy aerospace and defense companies with roots stretching back to the early twentieth century. Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the company employs approximately 122,000 people across the United States and internationally. James Taiclet has served as President and CEO since 2020.

The company operates across four primary business segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. Its portfolio includes some of the most recognized defense programs in the world, including the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft, Sikorsky military and commercial helicopters, the THAAD missile defense system, and the Orion spacecraft developed for NASA's Artemis program. The US Department of Defense is Lockheed Martin's primary customer, accounting for the large majority of its annual revenue.

Lockheed Martin consistently ranks as the top defense contractor globally by revenue. Its scale, the sensitivity of the programs it supports, and its role in national security make it one of the more rigorous employers when it comes to pre-employment screening and ongoing personnel vetting.

Company culture and employee programs:

Lockheed Martin positions itself as an employer focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics talent. The company offers a range of employee development programs, including early career rotational programs, mentorship, tuition assistance, and veteran hiring initiatives. It is a frequent presence on lists recognizing military-friendly employers, reflecting the significant number of veterans who work in its ranks alongside civilians and cleared professionals.

Lockheed Martin background check FAQs

Does Lockheed Martin do background checks?

Yes. Background checks are a standard part of Lockheed Martin's pre-employment process. Given the company's work in defense, aerospace, and national security, screening is thorough across roles. For positions that require access to classified information, candidates also undergo a separate government-administered security clearance investigation in addition to the standard pre-employment background check.

What does Lockheed Martin look for in a background check?

Lockheed Martin's background check typically covers several categories of information:

Criminal history - Searches for felony and misdemeanor convictions at the county, state, and federal level
Employment verification - Confirms previous job titles, dates of employment, and in some cases, reasons for leaving
Education verification - Confirms degrees, institutions attended, and graduation dates
Drug screening - Drug testing is standard, particularly for safety-sensitive roles and positions where candidates will be pursuing a security clearance
Credit history - May be reviewed for roles involving financial responsibility or access to sensitive financial systems
Security clearance eligibility - For many positions, candidates must be eligible for and willing to obtain a Department of Defense security clearance; this is a government-run process that involves its own extensive investigation

The specific components of the background check vary by role, location, and the level of access the position requires.

How long can a Lockheed Martin background check take?

Standard pre-employment background checks at Lockheed Martin typically take several business days to a couple of weeks, depending on the components involved and how quickly third parties respond to verification requests. However, the overall onboarding timeline can be significantly longer for roles that require a government security clearance.

How long does a background check take depends on factors such as the number of jurisdictions searched, the responsiveness of courts and institutions providing records, and whether any items require additional review. For Lockheed Martin candidates pursuing a clearance, the government investigation process runs on a separate timeline that is outside the company's direct control and can take anywhere from several weeks to several months, or longer for higher clearance levels.

Candidates are encouraged to respond promptly to any requests for additional documentation, as delays on the candidate's end can slow the overall process.

What can be revealed in a Lockheed Martin background check?

A background check conducted as part of Lockheed Martin's pre-employment process may reveal:

Criminal records, including arrests that resulted in convictions and, in some jurisdictions, other disposition information
Results from an SSN trace, which identifies addresses and jurisdictions associated with a candidate's Social Security Number
Listings on the sex offender registry
Matches against the global watchlist, which includes government sanctions lists, terrorism databases, and other restricted party lists - particularly relevant for a defense contractor subject to export control regulations
Employment history discrepancies between what a candidate reported and what can be verified
Education discrepancies
Drug test results
Credit information, where applicable and permitted by state law

Does Lockheed Martin require a security clearance?

Many Lockheed Martin positions require candidates to hold or be eligible to obtain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance. This is a significant and distinct consideration from the standard pre-employment background check.

Security clearances are issued by the US government, not by Lockheed Martin. The clearance investigation is conducted by a government agency and follows its own process, timeline, and adjudicative criteria. Lockheed Martin sponsors eligible candidates for the clearance, but the outcome is determined entirely by the federal government.

There are three primary DoD clearance levels:

Confidential - Access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization
Secret - Access to information that could cause serious damage to national security
Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) - Access to information that could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security; SCI adds access to specific sensitive programs and intelligence

For roles requiring a security clearance, US citizenship is typically required. Non-US citizens are generally not eligible for DoD-issued security clearances. Candidates are advised to disclose their citizenship status accurately during the application process and to be prepared for a lengthy and thorough investigation if pursuing a clearance-required role.

The security clearance investigation reviews an individual's personal history in depth, including financial records, foreign contacts, past conduct, and loyalty to the United States. Any significant derogatory information can affect clearance eligibility, though adjudicators consider the totality of circumstances rather than applying automatic disqualification in most cases.

How far back can Lockheed Martin's background check go?

The lookback period for a background check depends on applicable law and the type of record being searched. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally may not report most negative information that is more than seven years old, with the exception of criminal convictions, which can be reported indefinitely in many states.

Some states have stricter limitations on how far back criminal records can be reported. For candidates pursuing a government security clearance, the investigation reviews personal history in depth - typically covering the past ten years for employment, addresses, and education, with some categories extending further back or requiring lifetime disclosure depending on the item and clearance level sought.

What causes a Lockheed Martin background check to fail?

A background check finding does not automatically disqualify a candidate. Lockheed Martin, like all employers using a consumer reporting agency, is required under the FCRA to follow an adverse action process before making a final decision based on background check results. This process includes providing the candidate with a copy of the report and an opportunity to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information.

Common factors that may affect a background check outcome include:

Felony or serious misdemeanor criminal convictions, particularly those involving violence, theft, fraud, or drug offenses
Discrepancies between information provided on the application and what can be verified (employment dates, job titles, degrees)
Failed drug test
Significant negative credit history for roles where credit is reviewed
For security clearance eligibility, factors such as foreign contacts or allegiances, financial irresponsibility, drug use, or conduct reflecting poor judgment can affect the government's clearance determination

Many states and localities have ban the box laws that restrict when in the hiring process an employer can ask about or consider criminal history. Candidates with past records are encouraged to research applicable laws in their state and to be honest during the hiring process.

What is the FCRA and how does it protect candidates?

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies, including background check providers, collect, maintain, and report information about individuals. It also establishes rights and protections for job candidates who are subject to background checks.

Key FCRA protections for candidates include:

Disclosure and authorization - Employers must inform candidates in writing, in a standalone document, that a background check will be conducted, and must obtain written authorization before proceeding
Copy of the report - If an employer intends to take adverse action based on background check results, the candidate must receive a copy of the report and a summary of FCRA rights before the decision is finalized
Pre-adverse and adverse action notices - Employers must provide notice before taking adverse action and again when the decision is made, giving candidates time to review and dispute the findings
Right to dispute - Candidates have the right to dispute inaccurate or incomplete information directly with the consumer reporting agency

For a more detailed overview of candidate rights under federal law, see an introduction to the FCRA and EEOC.

What is the Lockheed Martin hiring process?

The Lockheed Martin hiring process typically follows these general steps:

Application - Candidates apply online through the Lockheed Martin careers portal, providing work history, education, and responses to role-specific questions
Resume review and recruiter screening - A recruiter or hiring team reviews applications and conducts an initial phone or video screen with qualified candidates
Interviews - Depending on the role, candidates may participate in one or more rounds of interviews, which may include technical assessments, behavioral interviews, or panel interviews
Offer - Candidates who advance receive a conditional offer of employment
Pre-employment background check - Following the offer, Lockheed Martin initiates a background check, which may include criminal history, employment and education verification, drug testing, and other components depending on the role
Security clearance initiation - For roles requiring a DoD clearance, Lockheed Martin sponsors the candidate and initiates the government investigation process; candidates complete detailed personal history questionnaires (typically SF-86) as part of this step
Onboarding - Once the background check is complete and, where applicable, interim clearance has been granted or the investigation is underway, candidates proceed through onboarding, complete new hire paperwork, and begin their role

Timelines vary significantly depending on the position. Roles that do not require a security clearance typically move faster, while clearance-required positions may involve an extended period between offer and start date as the government investigation proceeds.

Order your own background check

Candidates who want to review their own background information before applying to Lockheed Martin or any other employer can order a personal background check through Checkr. Reviewing your own report in advance gives you the opportunity to identify any inaccuracies and understand what a prospective employer may see.

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This article is intended for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not represent or warrant the accuracy of the information provided regarding Lockheed Martin's specific hiring or background check practices, as these may change. Candidates and employers should consult directly with Lockheed Martin and qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to their situation. Background check laws vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change.