I Helped Build A Fighter Jet That Flies 1,200 Miles Per Hour

I Helped Build A Fighter Jet That Flies 1,200 Miles Per HourI Helped Build A Fighter Jet That Flies 1,200 Miles Per HourAll of us want to see the fruits of our labor. For Mary Cooksey, that means looking up. Like, way up. The fruchtwein rewarding part of my job is walking out to the parking lot and seeing an F-35 fly over my head, she says. Its the best way to remind myself that my work is really important. Cooksey is an manufacturing engineer who works on fighter jets. Shes currently in zu sich final year of Lockheed Martins three-year Engineering Leadership Development Program, which offers experience in a different aspect of engineering each year. (Lockheed Martin employees can apply to the competitive program within 13 years after joining.)Interested to know what its like to work on a supersonic aircraft? We were, too, so we asked Cooksey about her role(s) during a recent interview. APPLY TO WORK AT LOCKHEED MARTIN NOW From Finance To Fighter JetsAfter college, Cooksey knew one t hing for sure She wanted to work at Lockheed Martin. She just wasnt sure what shed do with her degree in Manufacturing Engineering. zu sich strategy? Apply to everything. She was hired as a Value Engineera role heavily rooted in financewhich got her closer toward her goal of working on aircraft. After proving herself, Cooksey landed a position in the Leadership Development Program. In the time since, shes worked on the F-35, F-16, and F-22 fighter jets and has worked with engineering teams across the company. A World-Class TeamSo, what has stood out to Cooksey during her time at Lockheed? The support new hires receive, for starters.Everyone loves to tell you stories, she says. Theyll tell you how different things were when they started, and how the company has changed. Its really inspiring. Despite working in a mile-long facility () with 15,000 people, Cooksey says she recognizes almost every person she works with. Its amazing how large the company is, how many different sites we op erate around the world, and all the different products we touch, from space to helicopters to fighter jets, she says. APPLY TO WORK AT LOCKHEED MARTIN NOW Flying Into The Future As she completes the Leadership Development Program, Cooksey has a lot to be excited about. Lockheed Martins future looks really bright as F-35 production ramps up, she says. Its a culture of all hands on deck, as we work to put out mora and more jets every year. And one of the companys largest goals is that everyone feels part of the same team.As for her career path? Cooksey often feels like the opportunities are endless. I feel like I could go through another 10 rotational programs, she says. Her Advice For Future Lockheed Leaders When Cooksey first joined Lockheed Martin, she felt out of her comfort zone in her finance-focused role. Looking back, she says she learned the most that year. When youre just starting your career, try new things and take on new challenges. Youll be surprised by how many opportun ities open up to you, Cooksey says. She stresses the best candidates at Lockheed Martin are the first to volunteer for projects other people arent raising their hands for. She quickly found that saying yeseven when she didnt know where to start on a projectwas always a good decision. Everyone is so approachable, she says. Its not like youll be all on your own working on an F-35. Nowadays, Cooksey knows one thing for sure Shell get to work with innovative, supportive team members and will play a pivotal role in helping create amazing products that change the worldregardless of where her career at Lockheed Martin takes her. binnensee yourself at Lockheed Martin? Theyre hiring on WayUp now Lockheed Martin is a leading global aerospace and technology company that works with partners around the world to drive forward scientific research and innovation.