Lockheed Martin has successfully concluded its 2024 Saudi Arabia Summer Internship Programme, offering a transformational experience that equipped Saudi interns with valuable skills and deep industry insights. 

 

Now in its third year, the programme continues to bridge the gap between education and industry by providing students with opportunities to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. 

 

This year’s programme welcomed outstanding students from Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University and King Saud University who engaged in innovative projects focused on space exploration, artificial intelligence, and advanced simulation technologies. 

 

Global reach

The interns worked closely with Lockheed Martin experts at its Saudi Arabia office, with additional support from the company’s global technology hubs in the US, reinforcing the programme’s global reach.

 

A standout feature of this year’s programme was the students’ visits to Lockheed Martin’s industrial partners, SAMI Al-Salam Aerospace and NAMI, a leading additive manufacturing company. During their visit to SAMI Al-Salam Aerospace Industries, the interns were briefed on the latest advancements in the aerospace sector. At the same time, at NAMI, they gained first-hand exposure to using cutting-edge 3D printing technology in defence, security and aerospace applications.

 

Frank M Salzgeber, Acting Deputy Governor of the Space Sector at the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission, also visited the students at Lockheed Martin’s Riyadh office. During this visit, the interns presented their space project, “AI Tool for Lunar Landing Site Selection,” demonstrating their contributions to critical space initiatives. 

 

“Lockheed Martin is committed to fostering innovation and developing the next generation of Saudi engineers and technologists. Our commitment to Saudi Arabia aligns deeply with Vision 2030 as we continue to invest in cutting-edge educational and training initiatives. 

 

“This year’s internship programme is a testament to the immense potential of Saudi youth, and we are proud to play a role in nurturing the talent that will drive the kingdom’s future success,” said Brigadier General (Retired) Joseph Rank, Chief Executive of Saudi Arabia and Africa at Lockheed Martin. “We are honoured to be a trusted defence and aerospace partner, providing the expertise and innovation necessary to help achieve the kingdom Vision 2030’s objectives.”  

 

The programme offered a range of workshops, technical training sessions, and mentoring opportunities centered around advanced technologies, space exploration, and embedded systems. The summer internship also gave students valuable opportunities to network with industry professionals, enhancing their understanding of how academic knowledge translates into real-world problem-solving. 

 

Game changer

“The internship at Lockheed Martin KSA has been a game-changer for my career. The hands-on experience and the knowledge I gained were invaluable.  Seeing the theories and concepts we studied come to life in real-world projects was incredible. Working on cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions has broadened my understanding and skills and given me a clearer vision of my future,” said Jude Alsubaie, an intern from King Saud University. 

 

Beyond the internship programme, Lockheed Martin also sponsors a selected group of talented graduate students at Saudi universities, enabling them to pursue master’s and doctoral research on topics aligned with Lockheed Martin’s key programmes. These initiatives aim to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals for the defence industry, ensuring that Saudi Arabia can lead in technological innovation.--TradeArabia News Service