F-35 Communications Engineer, Senior

ACT1 Federal; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Company-Paid Life and AD&D Insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

401K with employer match

Education, Training & Professional Development

Job summary

ACT1 Federal is seeking a Senior F-35 Communications Engineer in Arlington, VA. This role entails providing analytical and design expertise for F-35 airborne communications. The engineer will support military services and coordinate implementation positions.

Qualified candidates should have a minimum of 10 years in a technical position, require a SECRET Clearance, and possess strong communication skills. Benefits include an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, health savings accounts, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10 years of systems-to-systems level interface analysis experience.
• Strong understanding of tactical datalink communications.
• Ability to travel approximately 10%.

Responsibilities

• Orchestrate interface development for F-35 airborne communications.
• Coordinate F-35 airborne communications implementation positions.
• Validate airborne communications requirements and architectural development.

Skills

Systems-to-systems level interface analysis

Tactical datalinks

Technical analysis/support of C4I digital datalinks

Microsoft Office Suite

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Education

10 years of experience in engineering or technical position

SECRET Clearance with eligibility for SAR

Job description

JOB TITLE: F-35 Communications Engineer, Senior

Location: Arlington, VA (Crystal City)

Category: Funded

Schedule (FT/PT): FT

Travel Required: N/A

Shift: Day

Remote Type: On-site

Clearance required: Active Secret Clearance

Division: Aviation

Job Description

The F-35 Communications Engineer serves as one of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) Interoperability (IO) Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with a primary focus in providing tactical datalinks and intra-flight communications IO‑related analytical and design expertise. The F-35 JPO develops, tests, produces, fields, and sustains F-35 Fifth‑Generation combat capability for the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Partner and Foreign Military Sales nations. This position supports the F‑35 IO Government Lead and serves as the primary IO‑related requirements oversight lead for the F‑35 IO Team.

Responsibilities

• Orchestrate interface development, implementation, and sustainment upgrades to the F‑35 airborne communications capabilities.
• Coordinate F‑35 airborne communications IO (joint tactical datalinks/communications) implementation positions with the U.S. Military Services, Partner Nations, and all FMS cases—including establishing specific military standards‑compliant Link‑16 as well as F‑35‑unique Multi‑function Advanced Data Link (MADL) message sets with minimum data link implementation recommendations.
• Validate F‑35 airborne communications‑related Information Exchange Requirements (IERs) and associated external IO architecture development—include systems‑level IO interface assessments and technical inputs to ensure F‑35 information exchanges and the associated communications interface design satisfy U.S. Military Services and Partner Nation IO requirements within the F‑35 joint/coalition operational environment.
• Manage F‑35 IO‑related requirements documents and Proposed Specification Change Notices (PSCNs) inputs to ensure proper integration of IO‑related capabilities—work directly with the F‑35 Prime Contractor engineering staff to update/maintain the F‑35 Operational Requirements Specification (ORS).
• Assist in addressing airborne communications IO assessments of U.S. Military Services/Partner Nation IO‑related Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) to ensure airborne communications IO interface requirements are properly integrated into associated F‑35 requirements documents/contract specifications and that the planned/implemented F‑35 communications IO interface design implementation meets joint and coalition force needs.
• Support airborne communications IO verification test planning and execution to ensure IO‑related requirements are adequately verified. Provide IO‑related verification requirements and associated C4I support inputs to the F‑35 Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP).
• Prepare and/or contribute to presentations on IO‑related program status/accomplishments, issues identification/resolution, and verification support requirements to the F‑35 Operational Advisory Group, Requirements Working Group, Senior Warfighters Group, and JSF Executive Steering Board (JSEB) deliberations as well as during IO Advisory Group (IAG) and Lockheed Martin IO‑related reviews.
• Participate in joint and Military Service‑specific tactical data link governing bodies and represent the F‑35 JPO in U.S. Government working group deliberations tied to establishing joint/commercial tactical communications policy.

Requirements

• SECRET Clearance with eligibility for SAR.
• 10 years of systems‑to‑systems level interface analysis experience in an engineering or technical position, including:
  • Four years in a test and evaluation (developmental and/or operational) environment supporting a DoD ACAT‑I Acquisition Program.
  • Six years of technical analysis/support of C4I digital datalinks and intra‑flight communications—including Link‑16/Variable Message Format (VMF) with emphasis on tactical datalink communications (Command and Control (C2), Electronic Warfare (EW), or Fighter platform communications) and associated mission planning/operational coordination.
• In‑depth technical understanding of joint/coalition airborne communications network interfaces and associated messaging.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Ability to travel (approximately 10%).

Benefits

• 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
• Military Leave
• Education, Training & Professional Development
• Voluntary Accidental Injury/Critical Illness/Hospital Care
• Voluntary Pet Insurance, Legal Resources, and Identity Protection

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.