F-35 Combat Data Systems (CDS) Systems Engineer

ACT1 Federal; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Long-Term Disability

401K with employer match

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Military Leave

Education, Training & Professional Dev

Job summary

ACT1 Federal is seeking a qualified Systems Engineer to support the F-35 CDS PMO in Arlington, VA. The role focuses on analyzing user needs, coordinating engineering activities, and participating in key reviews to ensure CDS integrates effectively with the F-35 Air Vehicle.

The candidate should have 5+ years in systems engineering or related DoD experience, clearances, and strong cross-functional communication skills. This is an in-office, day-shift role with minimal travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of systems engineering, technical acquisition, or software deployment experience.
• 3+ years in engineering design or requirements development.
• 3+ years of DoD acquisition experience, prefer CDS program office context.

Responsibilities

• Analyze user needs and assess software solutions against requirements.
• Provide Systems Engineering coordination for CDS leadership in governance and reviews.
• Support System Requirements Reviews, IIMs, trade studies, and alignment with the F-35 Air Vehicle.

Skills

Systems engineering

DoD acquisition

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

F-35 Combat Data Systems (CDS) Systems Engineer

Arlington, VA

Position Title: F-35 Combat Data Systems (CDS) Systems Engineer

Location: Arlington, VA (Crystal City)

Category: Funded

Schedule(FT/PT): FT

Travel Required: Minimal

Shift: Day

Remote Type: In-Office

Clearance required: Active Secret

Division: Aviation

Description: : ACT1 Federal is seeking an individual with systems engineering expertise to support the F-35 Combat Data Systems (CDS) PMO. The F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) delivers F-35 capabilities and support through several Program Management Offices (PMOs). The F-35 Combat Data Systems (CDS) PMO delivers the infrastructure, tools, and labs that produce mission data for the F 35 Air System, while overseeing lifecycle cost, schedule, and performance. The F-35 CDS PMO is responsible for the F-35 Mission Planning Environment (MPE) and the F-35 Joint Reprogramming Enterprise (JRE). The MPE is a comprehensive tool suite (software and hardware) designed to deliver the required capabilities to support F-35 Mission Planning. The F-35 JRE generates, tests, and updates the Mission Data Files (MDFs) that allow the F-35 to identify, locate, and counter hostile threats. The MPE integrates JRE products and other sources to orchestrate the data required for combat operations including Air Tasking Orders; aircraft capabilities; threats; targets; terrain; weather; jamming; deception; countermeasures; communications; sensors; weapons; employment tactics; navigation; routes; and asset coordination.

Responsibilities:

• Analyzing F-35 user needs and assess software solutions against requirements
• Providing Systems Engineering coordination to support CDS leadership in preparation for key leadership forums, including the Future Capabilities and Technologies governance process, and technical reviews
• Providing Systems Engineering Support for System Requirements Reviews, Technical Interchange Meetings, trade studies for Block 4, Air System Alignment, and F-35 Director of Engineering tasks; identifying gaps, recommending fixes to ensure effective CDS systems that integrates effectively with the F-35 Air Vehicle (AV)
• Supporting F-35 developmental engineering by engaging with F-35 contractors and providing feedback, critique, analysis for work products, system implementation Concept of Operations, and Systems Engineering Technical events including System Requirements Reviews, Design Reviews, Functional Configuration Audits, and Physical Configurations Audits. These efforts support the CDS focus of fielding next generation mission planning equipment, enabling rapid generation of MDFs, and implementing global network solutions
• Evaluating the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) development artifacts including variance, Required Work Packages, Software (SW) specifications, metrics, architecture models, schedules, and CDRLs to evaluate technical maturity
• Tracking certification and accreditation for each Mission Planning Software Environment SW build, coordinating with the F-35 JPO Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), certifiers, third-party contractors, and external customers
• Providing integration and interoperability support to systems, units, or forces to accept and receive services to enable them to operate effectively together

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, technical acquisition, or software system deployment
• 3+ years of experience in engineering design or requirements development
• 3+ years of experience with DoD acquisition, with preference for experience in systems engineering within a DoD program office
• Knowledge of IT networks, cross-domain solutions, and cloud platforms, preferably including application in classified environments
• Ability to communicate and coordinate across large stakeholder groups

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with project management, acquisition support, or engineering with DoD aviation related systems
• Experience with weapon system sensor data, data fusion, combat ID, mission data files, or reprogramming labs
• Knowledge of the F-35 Joint Reprogramming Enterprise and 4th/5th Generation Fighter mission planning
• Knowledge and experience working with an electronic warfare system or a mission planning environment
• ACT1 Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Company Paid Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401K with employer match
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Military Leave
• Education, Training & Professional Development
• Voluntary Accidental Injury/Critical Illness/Hospital Care
• Voluntary Pet Insurance, Legal Resources, and Identity Protection

Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of flexibility and collaboration, whether that happens in person or remotely.

• If this position is listed as remote or hybrid, you’ll periodically work from a ACT1 Federal or client site facility.
• If this position is listed as onsite, you’ll work with colleagues and clients in person, as needed for the specific role.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.