Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in Colorado Springs, CO in 2026

Table of Contents

• Your Path to a Tech Career in Colorado Springs
• Lockheed Martin Space AMTAP Apprenticeship
• Northrop Grumman Summer Internship Program
• DoD SkillBridge Program with Local Defense Contractors
• Year Up Colorado
• Raytheon (RTX) Engineering Rotation Program
• Colorado Registered Apprenticeships (CO-TECH)
• Parsons Corporation Internships
• Entry-Level Roles at Local Startups & Mid-Size Tech Firms
• ACI Tech Academy Accelerated Apprenticeship Tracks
• Compassion International Tech Internships
• Plotting Your 2026 Coordinates
• Frequently Asked Questions

Lockheed Martin Space AMTAP Apprenticeship

For those seeking a guaranteed, paid track into the heart of space technology, Lockheed Martin Space's Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program (AMTAP) is the premier local launchpad. This is not a generic internship but a rigorous, 9-week intensive training cohort that functions as a direct pipeline into full-time production roles, paying $17/hour with full benefits from day one.

The application window is strict and mission-critical. For the 2026 cohort (Cohort 38 serving the Littleton/Colorado Springs region), applications open February 10 and close March 2, 2026. Successful apprentices master NASA-standard skills in precision electronics, soldering, and aerospace manufacturing, providing an unmatched foundation for building the satellites that monitor our world from Colorado's Front Range.

This program is designed for those ready to start building immediately. As outlined on the Lockheed Martin Space AMTAP page, it's a guided climb with all gear provided, leading directly to technician roles within one of the world's leading space contractors. The structured path from training to production, detailed in the Technician Training Program listing for Cohort 38, offers security and deep skill mastery at the intersection of Colorado's defense and space ecosystems.

Northrop Grumman Summer Internship Program

With an exceptional 71% conversion rate from intern to full-time employee, Northrop Grumman's Colorado Springs summer program is a top-tier reconnaissance mission into defense tech. These competitive 10-week internships offer STEM majors a direct path into the local ecosystem, with hourly rates historically between $22-$35.

The internships focus on critical national security areas essential to the Springs' employer base:

• Systems and Software Engineering
• Missile Defense Systems
• Cybersecurity Operations

The key to securing a spot is early navigation, as peak hiring for the Summer 2026 cohort happens in the Fall of 2025. Interns gain exposure to high-clearance projects and benefit from structured "Early Career" networking, making it a proven path to a permanent role. As highlighted in their career resources, becoming an early adopter of industry-specific tools and trends significantly increases job security in this field.

This program is a strategic scouting mission with a high probability of claiming a permanent base camp. Begin planning your ascent by exploring the landscape of internships at Northrop Grumman and reviewing specific opportunities like the 2026 Software Intern role in Colorado Springs.

DoD SkillBridge Program with Local Defense Contractors

Uniquely powerful in the Colorado Springs ecosystem, the Department of Defense SkillBridge program allows transitioning service members to spend the last 180 days of their military service interning at a local company while maintaining their full military pay and benefits. Major local defense contractors like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Booz Allen Hamilton are key hosts, treating the opportunity as an extended, "6-month interview" that leads to a very high placement rate into civilian tech roles.

Eligible service members - those within 12 months of separation - can apply for internships in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, project management, and systems engineering. This pathway directly taps into the region's immense military talent pool from Peterson SFB and the U.S. Air Force Academy, offering a seamless transition. As one apprentice in Colorado's workforce system noted, such programs help in "better understanding the relationship between government and businesses" to solve real-world challenges.

This is the ultimate bridge from service to a tech career on the Front Range. Service members can learn more about the process and explore opportunities through the official DoD SkillBridge portal at Northrop Grumman and by reviewing pathways documented by the Colorado Workforce Development Council.

Year Up Colorado

For young adults aged 18-29 without a four-year degree, Year Up provides a transformative, one-year earn-and-learn model that directly feeds Colorado Springs' demand for IT and cybersecurity talent. The program includes six months of technical training in tracks like IT Support, Application Development with Java and Python, or Cyber Security, followed by a six-month paid internship at a corporate partner.

Participants receive weekly stipends (approximately $150 during training, $220 during the internship), removing financial barriers to entry. The outcomes are significant: 72% of graduates are employed or enrolled in further education within four months, with an average starting salary of $53,000. This creates a vital talent pipeline for the region's diverse tech sectors.

As an evidence-based program highlighted by the Social Programs that Work initiative, Year Up demonstrates that alternative pathways can yield high-wage careers. In Colorado, the program operates in partnership with ActivateWork, connecting motivated talent with the state's strategic workforce needs.

This is a social impact trail that builds both technical skills and professional readiness. Young adults in the Springs can discover the program details and training opportunities, including App Development job training, through the main Year Up website.

Raytheon (RTX) Engineering Rotation Program

For new graduates seeking breadth before depth in Colorado Springs' defense sector, Raytheon's (RTX) three-year Engineering Rotation Program offers a panoramic tour of engineering disciplines. With a competitive starting salary range of $59,500 to $109,600, participants rotate through different areas like Software, Systems, and Cyber Engineering to find their optimal fit within the massive RTX portfolio of national defense and aerospace projects.

This program is ideal for those who want to understand the full mountain range of engineering possibilities before committing to a single peak. The structured rotations provide exposure to the diverse technological challenges central to the Front Range's mission, from missile defense to secure communications.

Timing is critical for this ascent. The application deadline for a July 2026 program start is typically November 30, 2025. This early cutoff aligns with the region's major defense contractors, who recruit nearly a year in advance for their premier early-career tracks. Aspiring engineers should prepare to showcase strong academic foundations and a clear interest in the multi-faceted work of defense technology.

While specific program URLs are not detailed in the sources, exploring engineering career paths at major defense primes is a key strategy. Resources like the Northrop Grumman engineering career pathway page illustrate the value these companies place on structured early-career development, a model mirrored across the industry in Colorado Springs.

Colorado Registered Apprenticeships (CO-TECH)

Colorado's state-sponsored apprenticeship system, particularly the CO-TECH program, offers a versatile and growing route into high-wage tech roles without a four-year degree. These registered apprenticeships, often built with local education partners like Pikes Peak State College, last 1-3 years and cover in-demand positions such as Cybersecurity Analyst, Software Developer, and Computer Network Architect.

Apprentices earn while they learn, with wages for tech roles typically between $20-$28/hour during training, leading to significant wage gains upon completion. The program features open year-round application via the state directory, providing exceptional flexibility for career-changers and those seeking a more hands-on entry into the industry.

As Denise Miller, director of Apprenticeship Colorado, emphasizes, these programs are a "key part of the state's workforce strategy," specifically aimed at diversifying and strengthening the tech talent pipeline to meet employer demand. This state-certified path represents a direct investment in building Colorado's homegrown workforce.

This is a foundational trail for building a lasting career. Prospective apprentices in Colorado Springs can explore all available opportunities and begin their application through the official Colorado Registered Apprenticeship Directory and learn more about the CO-TECH initiative through the Colorado Community College System.

Parsons Corporation Internships

For students seeking an agile ascent within a specialized niche, Parsons Corporation offers targeted internships in Colorado Springs that place you at the convergence of space operations and cutting-edge software. Operating alongside the defense primes, Parsons provides a more nimble, team-focused environment while still working on mission-critical national security projects for space and cybersecurity domains.

These summer internships, such as the Space Ops Software Engineer Intern, offer competitive pay between $21.88 - $38.27 per hour. The roles are perfect for those interested in commercial-grade AI development and space systems software, providing hands-on experience outside the largest corporate structures. Recent listings, like those tracked on GitHub's Summer 2026 internship collections, show these positions are actively posted for the upcoming season.

This path is ideal for candidates who thrive in collaborative settings and want to see their code directly impact operational systems. The focused scope allows for deeper immersion in specific technologies, making it an excellent reconnaissance mission into the software-driven side of Colorado's space ecosystem. Explore specific opportunities like the Space Systems Software Development Intern role to understand the technical expectations and mission focus.

Entry-Level Roles at Local Startups & Mid-Size Tech Firms

Beyond the defense giants, Colorado Springs' tech ecosystem includes a burgeoning scene of startups and mid-size firms in cybersecurity, AI, and software, offering a true entrepreneurial route. Companies like Alethia Software, LMI, and other downtown ventures provide true entry-level roles where you can gain broader responsibility faster, with salaries generally ranging from $44,000 to $65,000.

Hiring in this segment often surges in the Fall (September-November) and Spring (February-March). These roles in software development, data analytics, and systems integration have a strong preference for local graduates from UCCS and Colorado College, valuing project-based experience and regional knowledge over just a degree. This creates a dynamic pipeline where homegrown talent fuels local innovation.

This path is ideal for those who want to avoid large corporate structures and have a more immediate impact. As seen in success stories from the Colorado Workforce Development Council, individuals like Oleksandr Lytvynenko have transitioned from roles like barista to junior software engineer apprenticeships at local firms, demonstrating the accessible nature of this ecosystem. You can explore the current landscape of these opportunities through general searches on platforms like Glassdoor for entry-level IT jobs in the Springs.

ACI Tech Academy Accelerated Apprenticeship Tracks

For a rapid, hands-on push into IT, the ACI Tech Academy in Colorado Springs offers accelerated 3-6 month apprenticeship tracks designed for continuous enrollment. This fast-pack approach focuses on practical, lab-based training to achieve industry-standard certifications quickly, making it ideal for career-changers who need to validate their technical knowledge to enter the local IT support and cybersecurity technician job market.

The program's curriculum is built around core certifications that serve as the foundation for many tech roles in the Springs:

• CompTIA A+ (IT Operations)
• CompTIA Network+ (Infrastructure)
• CompTIA Security+ (Cybersecurity Fundamentals)

While pay during the on-the-job training portion varies, the academy supports students beyond technical skills. It includes "ACI CareerConnect" with AI-powered coaching and live mentors to guide the job search - a critical component for those transitioning into a new field. This pathway functions like a focused skills clinic, compressing what is often months of self-study into a structured, supported sprint.

This is a strategic choice for those needing to quickly equip themselves for the trail ahead. You can explore the specific training schedules and campus details through the ACI Tech Academy's Colorado Springs program page and learn more about how such apprenticeships fit into the state's strategy via resources like ColoradoBiz's coverage on tech apprenticeships.

Compassion International Tech Internships

For those who want their technical work to have a direct humanitarian impact, Compassion International's IT and Software Engineering internships in Colorado Springs offer a unique summer experience. These roles provide the chance to develop and support software that powers a global nonprofit's operations, proving you can build a compelling tech portfolio while contributing to a significant cause within the Springs' diverse economic landscape.

These internships offer competitive pay and follow a standard summer timeline, typically running from May through August. The application window is crucial to track; for a Summer 2026 position, candidates should be prepared to apply between October 2025 and January 2026. This schedule aligns with other major internship programs in the region, requiring advanced planning.

This path is ideal for developers and IT professionals motivated by purpose, offering experience that blends technical skill with social impact. It demonstrates that a tech career on the Front Range isn't limited to defense and aerospace but includes a robust sector of mission-oriented organizations. You can explore specific openings, such as the 2026 Summer Internship in IT and Software Engineering listed on Teal, to understand the role's scope. This opportunity enriches the local tech map, showing that the trails to a fulfilling career can lead to supporting global communities as well as national security.

Plotting Your 2026 Coordinates

In the end, the "best" path depends entirely on your starting point and destination. The disciplined, structured climb of an apprenticeship (like Lockheed's AMTAP) offers security and deep skill mastery. The summer internship (like Northrop Grumman's) is a scouting mission with a high chance of claiming a permanent base camp. The direct entry-level role, especially through SkillBridge or at a startup, is for those ready to start the work immediately.

Your application is your gear check. For most apprenticeships and internships with 2026 start dates, you must apply almost a year in advance - Fall 2025 is not too early. To stand out, focus on demonstrable skills: showcase project-based learning, contribute to open-source code on GitHub, and obtain foundational certifications like CompTIA Security+.

Critically, leverage Colorado Springs' unique advantages. Understand the local defense and space ecosystem, network at events hosted by the Space Foundation, and be prepared to discuss how your skills apply to the missions headquartered around Peterson SFB and the Air Force Academy. As reporting from The Colorado Sun notes, moving beyond outdated hiring practices to showcase hands-on competency is key. The trails are well-marked, the peaks are in view, and the 2026 season is yours to define.

Frequently Asked Questions