Lockheed Martin Advances Saudi Aerospace Talent Development Through Riyadh Internship Program
Lockheed Martin has marked the completion of its summer internship program with a graduation ceremony held in Riyadh, celebrating a cohort of Saudi university students who spent the summer building technical skills in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and advanced manufacturing, as part of Lockheed Martin's broader efforts to support national capability building and facilitate knowledge transfer in line with Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
Designed to nurture Saudi Arabia's next generation of engineering and technology professionals and advance the Kingdom's aerospace and manufacturing capabilities, this year's program brought together students from leading Saudi universities.
Vice President and Chief Executive for Saudi Arabia and Africa at Lockheed Martin Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Joseph Rank said: “Developing human capital and supporting our partners in building world-class industrial capabilities are central to Lockheed Martin's 21st Century Security® vision. By empowering the next generation of Saudi industry leaders, we are shaping a more resilient and collaborative defense sector, built on advanced digital technologies and strategic partnerships. Building upon our long-standing partnership with the Kingdom, spanning over six decades, this program underscores our commitment to advancing the nation's vision for knowledge-based defense, technology and aerospace sectors.”
The program offered participants real-world experience across two projects, including the Factory of the Future: Analysis to Define Factory for Unmanned Aircraft, which examined how automated processes, advanced robotics and real-time AI-driven data analytics can improve throughput, reduce production costs and enable efficient manufacturing of unmanned aircraft; and an AI-driven log-card data extraction project for life-limited rotorcraft parts, which applied advanced AI technologies to streamline data management and support more efficient tracking and maintenance of critical rotorcraft components.
Research and Development Manager at Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia Dr. Amr Alasaad said: “The summer internship program brought an applied dimension to our interns' academic foundation. By offering access to mentorship opportunities across Lockheed Martin's global network of experts and real-world projects that directly contribute to shaping the future of technology and advanced manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, the program bridged the gap between theory and practice, equipping graduates with the technical expertise to accelerate their career trajectory. This hands-on approach is essential to building a globally competitive local workforce, and we are proud to have played a critical role in developing the Kingdom's human capital and strengthening its industrial capabilities.”
In line with the program's commitment to cultivating well-rounded professionals, interns from this cohort have also joined Lockheed Martin's supply chain team, gaining hands-on experience and building key competencies across both technical and operational disciplines.
The summer internship program reinforces Lockheed Martin's role as a trusted partner, supporting the Kingdom's efforts to develop a skilled workforce and advancing its vision for a diversified industrial sector and knowledge-based economy.
