F-35/5th Generation Fighter Pilot SME

CAE; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company benefits plan

Pension plan

Employee stock purchase plan

Career development opportunities

Health and wellness programs

Flexible hybrid work across Canada

Job summary

CAE is seeking an experienced F-35/5th Gen Fighter Pilot SME to advance Canada's Future Fighter Lead-In Training program. This non-flying role focuses on training development, operational design, and program implementation for the Leonardo M-346 ecosystem, coordinating with RCAF and program leadership.

The candidate will lead curricula for classroom, simulator, and device-based training, validate courseware, and help shape operational policies and standards across Canada.

Qualifications

• Operational F-35 or 5th Gen pilot experience in military setting.
• Progress in curriculum development or instructional design.
• Experience with simulator-based training environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide training curricula development for classrooms and simulators.
• Validate courseware against RCAF objectives and ops requirements.
• Support testing of training devices and validation activities.
• Contribute to training policies, standards and best practices.
• Identify risks and suggest mitigation strategies.
• Advise on integrating F-35 concepts into the curriculum.

Skills

F-35 pilot

Military flight ops

Leadership

Curriculum design

simulators

Stakeholder mgmt

Education/alignment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

GBTS

Simulation tools

ISD concepts

Job description

Description

CAE is seeking an experienced F-35 / 5th Generation Fighter Pilot Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support the design, development, validation, and implementation of Canada's Future Fighter Lead-In Training (FFLIT) program. This position focuses on training development, operational design, and program implementation for the Leonardo M-346 training ecosystem and is a non-flying role.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational expertise to support the design and development of classroom, simulator, and flying training curricula.


• Review and validate courseware to ensure alignment with Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training objectives and operational requirements.


• Support validation, verification, and acceptance testing activities related to courseware and training devices.


• Contribute to the development of training policies, procedures, instructional standards, and best practices.


• Identify training-related risks and recommend mitigation strategies.


• Advise on the integration of F-35 and 5th Generation fighter operational concepts into the FFLIT curriculum and training environment.


• Support the development of concepts of operations, training center procedures, and operational policies.


• Collaborate with internal teams, military stakeholders, and program leadership to support program objectives and key milestones.


• Provide subject matter expertise related to Ground-Based Training Systems (GBTS), simulator utilization, and future training capability development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Operational experience as an F-35 or other 5th Generation fighter pilot and instructor pilot within the RCAF or a comparable military organization.


• 10 to 15 years of military flight operations experience.


• More than 10 years of leadership, instructional, or training-related experience.


• Experience working with simulator-based or synthetic training environments.


• Experience supporting curriculum development, instructional systems design, military training programs, or related training initiatives.


• Strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills.


• Postsecondary education in a relevant field.


• Ability to obtain and maintain a Level II Security Clearance.


• Ability to travel occasionally within Canada and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as an F-35 Instructor Pilot or instructor pilot on another 5th Generation fighter platform.


• Experience within RCAF fighter training organizations or military training development organizations.


• Experience with the M-346 aircraft, Future Lead-In Training (FLIT), or advanced jet training programs.


• Experience supporting simulator, training device, or Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) development and acceptance testing.


• Experience developing operational policies, procedures, or training standards.

Benefits

• Company benefits plan


• Pension plan


• Employee stock purchase plan


• Career development opportunities within a global organization


• Comprehensive health and wellness programs


• Flexible hybrid work arrangement with the ability to work remotely from locations across Canada


• Opportunity to contribute to one of Canada's major military aviation training initiatives

About CAE

At CAE, our mission is clear: to help make the world a safer place. For nearly 80 years, we've driven innovation in simulation, training, and mission readiness to support critical operations worldwide. By leveraging advanced technologies, we empower our customers to operate smarter, faster, and more sustainably. Join a purpose-driven organization where bold ideas are encouraged, collaboration drives progress, and your growth fuels our shared success.

Position Type

Regular

Equal Opportunity & Accommodations

CAE is committed to providing equal opportunities to all applicants, regardless of race, nationality, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, veteran status, age, or other characteristics protected by law. We encourage applicants who may not meet every qualification to apply. Reasonable accommodations are available-contact your recruiter or email [e-mail] if needed.

Data Privacy

Privacy Statement | CAE

As part of our process, we may use AI‑supported tools to help review applications, with human decision‑making at every step. CAE thanks all applicants for their interest. However, only those whose background and experience match the requirements of the role will be contacted.