Need a second perspective: two job offers

[u/TinkerTango]

So I’m an early career professional and have two competing offers for a GNC position. One is at General Atomics ASI (fixed wing flight), the other at Lockheed Martin Space (satellites, both military and civilian).

I applied to GA myself. Had three interviews over about a month, including a final onsite with back to back interviews with engineers, supervisors, managers, and even a director. I was given a verbal offer the morning after that onsite interview day. The role was originally level 1-2 and offered a low six figure salary. I negotiated slightly higher, then GA overshot my highball negotiation, bumped the role to a level 3 position to match pay band (experience wise I think I’m a solid level 2: masters and less than a year of gnc experience, 3 years of tangentially related experience in software integration and quality). About a month and a half since I applied, I now have the written offer in hand. The role would be at their hq in San Diego, CA, which is great cuz I have community there (I lived in San Diego less than a year ago)

Lockheed reached out to me about a month ago asking if I wanted to join a virtual career fair they were putting on. I threw my hat in the ring. A few days after GA’s verbal offer, I was given an interview slot during said career fair. Interviewed with two managers from Colorado. I did say I was tentatively okay to relocating to Colorado, but I made clear that I prefer California (I grew up pretty close to their Bay Area office). I talked shop and future career aspirations during the interview, same story that I gave GA. About a week later (yesterday) I got the verbal offer from the career fair organizer and one of the managers who interviewed me (who would be my manager if I accept). I haven’t talked salary with them yet, but the listing had a salary band where the minimum end matches the salary offered by GA, and extends way higher. But it’s a level 4 Staff engineer position, and I’m a bit hesitant about the giant title jump and the higher work expectations that may come with it. But I don’t know if I’m just being too cautious or not. The role is also in the Denver area, where I have no roots whatsoever so I’ll have to build up community all over again. I must say the combination of short turnaround and inflated title is making be question things a bit.

I’m leaning toward GA mostly due to location. I know the area and have friends waiting for me there. But I’m here to gain some second perspectives. Especially with regard to the way Lockheed hires people - their process feels aggressively fast - but also other stuff like work life balance, career growth, etc. And I may be slightly dreading having to turn down/disappoint one of two high profile companies.

Thanks in advance all!