30 Years of Innovation: How Lockheed Martin’s Lufkin Team Powers the Future of Defense
Behind a secure gate in Lufkin, Texas, the steady rhythm of torque tools and test stations tells a story that has been building for three decades. It is a story of evolution, precision and purpose.
From Blueprints to Breakthroughs: The Tech Evolution
When Mike clocked in for his first day on August 26, 1996, his job was straightforward: build test cables and assist with end-item assembly for MLRS. At the time, work orders came with a parts list and a few schematics, no automation, no real-time diagnostics, just craftsmanship and grit.
Fast forward to today, and every component is pre-kitted, diagrams are fully digitized, and automated torque tools calculate themselves.
Engineering with Empathy: A Veteran’s Perspective
For José, the mission is personal. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he brought his technical expertise to Lockheed Martin, building qualification units and test systems for MLRS and PAC-3 missile systems. But for him, every task connects back to the people in the field.
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His career has spanned production, testing and systems support across multiple sites. He credits Lockheed Martin’s flexibility for his long-term growth, saying.
From Circuit Boards to System Tests: Growth Fueled by Passion
Grant didn’t set out to build missiles. He just loved to tinker. That passion led him to Lockheed Martin in 1996, where his first assignment involved building PAC-3 qualification cables. Over the years, he progressed from circuit card assembly to test engineering, ultimately overseeing software validation and troubleshooting in support of missile readiness.
“The first time I saw a complete ATACMS missile in El Paso, Texas, back in 1999, I realized how rare it is to watch a product you helped build go from a handful of components to final assembly,” he recalled. “That experience taught me why every step in the process matters to the warfighter.”
He credits Lockheed Martin’s investment in his development, supporting his dreams and career aspirations. Through tuition reimbursement and on-site classes, he earned both his associate and bachelor’s degrees.
For Grant, the human element is just as critical as the technical work. Building strong relationships on the floor, he says, turns a shift into a community and makes even the longest 10-hour days rewarding.
A Legacy of Readiness, A Future of Possibility
Since joining the Lockheed Martin family in 1996, the Lufkin Operations site has supported flagship programs like PAC-3, THAAD, GMLRS, ATACMS and JASSM/LRASM.
Recently, the Lufkin team delivered the Minimum Engagement Package for the eighth THAAD battery, sharpening the U.S. Army’s ballistic missile defense. During the ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base, PAC3 interceptors achieved 100 percent mission success, a testament to the reliability of the systems our Lufkin employees test and integrate.
Where the Best Are Built
With more than 450 employees, including 16% who are veterans, Lufkin is more than a manufacturing site. It is a launchpad for careers, a driver of innovation and a force for good in the community. Last year alone, the site logged more than 700 volunteer hours and contributed nearly $27,000 to local schools and nonprofits.
As Lockheed Martin celebrates 30 years in Lufkin, it’s clear that the people behind the tools are what truly power the mission. Mike, José and Grant are just three of many who have turned questions like “what if” into systems that defend freedom and protect lives.
Because in Lufkin, and across Lockheed Martin, mission-focused innovation isn’t just a value. It’s a way of life.
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