A compressor section includes a counter rotating low pressure compressor that includes outer and inner compressor blades interspersed with one another and are configured to rotate in an opposite direction than one another about an axis of rotation. A transmission couples at least one of the outer and inner compressor blades to a shaft. A turbine section includes a counter rotating low pressure turbine having an outer rotor that includes an outer set of turbine blades. An inner rotor has an inner set of turbine blades interspersed with the outer set of turbine blades. The outer rotor is configured to rotate in an opposite direction about the axis of rotation from the inner rotor. A gear system couples at least one of the outer and inner rotors to the shaft.