Lockheed Martin hosts job fair to hire 400 workers

FORT WORTH, Texas - Defense contractor Lockheed Martin hoped to hire hundreds of people Monday to work at its Fort Worth manufacturing plant.

Lockheed is ramping up production of the F-35 fighter jet and needs avionics technicians, machinists, mechanics and other skilled workers.

More than a thousand people showed up in Fort Worth on Monday for interviews with Lockheed Martin. The job fair brought in more than a thousand people from all across the country.

"We're really looking for that good aircraft experience and folks that know how to build planes,” said Lisa Early with Lockheed Martin.

The aviation giant is trying to meet the production demand of approximately 160 F-35s a year by 2023. To do that, they're hiring avionics technicians, machinists, structural assemblers, aircraft mechanics and electrical assemblers.

Olaniyi Ajilore came from Nashville to be interviewed about his avionics qualifications.

"Lockheed has been one of my dream jobs, places to work because I really want to move to the Dallas area,” he said.

The company says the majority of applicants are from the North Texas area, like Tony Titcomb. Born and raised in Fort Worth, he's hoping his nearly 15 years of aviation experience will land him the job.

"That assembly plant has been here since my dad was in the Air Force in the late 50s,” he said. "I'm looking forward to getting the opportunity to come in and build fighter jets. It would be my dream come true to keep America's fighters in the air and keep our country safe."

Thanks to pre-registration and a streamlined process, the company says it has enough potential candidates.  

The Pentagon recently made a $13 billion deal for 141 of the advanced fighter jets.

The company is looking to fill 400 job openings.

The job candidates selected at the fair received letters of "intent to hire," but they still have to undergo background checks and other required tests before formally being offered a job.