I'm graduating in December with an EE degree and I've been applying to some LM engineering development program roles. But like half the postings say 'active clearance preferred' and I've never had any clearance. Am I wasting my time applying? Do they actually sponsor clearances for new grads or is that just something they say?
Also I'm not sure how to answer the salary question in their portal. I don't know what LM pays entry-level engineers in the Dallas area and I don't want to lowball myself or get screened out for being too high.
4 replies
veteran_vance
They do hire new grads without active clearances pretty regularly, especially through their Engineering Leadership Development Program. You just have to be clearance-eligible, meaning US citizen with no disqualifying history. They sponsor the clearance post-hire, which takes time but is real. Don't count yourself out.
newgrad_neil
ok that's reassuring, thank you. do you know how long the clearance process takes once you start? like are you just doing unclassified work for months while you wait?
veteran_vance
Honestly depends on the program and location. Secret can take 3-6 months on a good day, sometimes longer. Yes you're doing lower-classification work until it clears. Some teams have plenty of unclassified work, others it's awkward. Worth asking the team directly in interviews.
finance_faye
For Dallas area entry-level EE: I've seen numbers in the $75k-$90k range for 2025-2026 hires from people in LM Facebook groups. That said their portal usually asks for a range, not a hard number. Posting something like 80-95 shouldn't get you screened out either direction.