Senior Program Manager, F-35 - Arlington, VA

Serco; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco Inc. in the Washington, DC area seeks a Senior Program Manager to support the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office (JPO) from Crystal City, VA. You will provide lifecycle program management for the F-35 program, including development, production, and sustainment, and work with AV PMO to deliver the aircraft, avionics, and modifications to U.S.

services, partners, and FMS customers. The role teams with F-35 JPO program analysts and managers to ensure cost, schedule, and performance

Qualifications

• Active DoD Secret security clearance.
• Master’s degree with 10+ years in PM, technical, or business analysis.
• Bachelor’s degree with 14+ years in PM, technical, or business analysis.
• Experience in weapons systems acquisition and lifecycle management.
• Minimum 6 years in analysis and planning.
• 3+ years supporting a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP).
• Leadership in US service-related military operations or defense acquisition.
• Willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsibilities

• Air Vehicle – assist AV PMO in providing development, production, modifications, and retrofit, and sustainment of the AV.
• Air Vehicle SE – assist AV PMO in managing requirements, specifications, and procurement of off-aircraft F-35 SE necessary for daily flight operations.
• PFE – assist AV PMO in managing requirements, development, testing, qualification, and sustainment of Below-the-Neck F-35 PFE.
• AME – assist AV PMO in managing the requirements, procurement, and sustainment of the F-35 AME.
• Tooling and Test Equipment – assist AV PMO in managing requirements, development, and procurement of enterprise special tooling and special test equipment required to support production and sustainment.
• DMS – assist AV PMO in resolving component obsolescence issues due to loss of manufacturing sources and the subsequent development, testing, and qualification of suitable alternatives.
• Intial Spares - assist AV PMO in managing requirements and procurement of intitial spares to support production aircraft and fielding of new components.
• Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) - assist AV PMO in managing the development, procurement, and sustainment of the F-35 HMDS.
• Lightning Support Team (LST) - assist AV PMO in ensuring continued Airworthiness/Aircraft Safety, maintaining the inherent design, preserving operational service life, sustaining mission capability, fostering platform readiness, and lifecycle cost.

Skills

Onsite support

DoD Secret clearance

Leadership

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Travel up to 10%

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ETMS2

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Description & Qualifications

Serco is excited to continue our support for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office (JPO). This contract provides program management support in support of the full acquisition lifecycle of the F-35 program, to include development, production, and sustainment.

Position Description & Qualifications

Serco is excited to continue our support for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program Office (JPO). This contract provides program management support in support of the full acquisition lifecycle of the F-35 program, to include development, production, and sustainment.

Our Senior Program Manager, located at Crystal City, VA, supports the Air Vehicle Vehicle Systems (AV VS) Program Management Office (PMO), at the F-35 JPO, providing lifecycle cost, schedule, and performance of aircraft, avionics, sensors, weapons integration, and modifications in the F-35 Lightning II Enterprise. The Contractor shall support AV PMO in delivering 5th Generation tactical aircraft to U.S. Services, Partners, and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers.

You will be part of a dynamic team of F-35 JPO Program Analysts and Program/Project Managers who works closely with the customer and other key F-35 National Security and Allied stakeholders to deliver quality F-35 systems.

In This Role, You Will

• Air Vehicle – assist AV PMO in providing development, production, modifications, and retrofit, and sustainment of the AV.
• Air Vehicle Support Equipment (SE) - assist AV PMO in managing requirements, specifications, and procurement of off-aircraft F-35 SE necessary for daily flight operations.
• Pilot Flight Equipment (PFE) - assist AV PMO in managing the requirements, development, testing, qualification, and sustainment of Below-the-Neck F-35 PFE.
• Ancillary Mission Equipment (AME) - assist AV PMO in managing the requirements, procurement, and sustainment of the F-35 AME.
• Tooling and Test Equipment - assist AV PMO in managing requirements, development, and procurement of enterprise special tooling and special test equipment required to support production and sustainment.
• Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) – assist AV PMO in resolving component obsolescence issues due to loss of manufacturing sources and the subsequent development, testing, and qualification of suitable alternatives.
• Intial Spares - assist AV PMO in managing requirements and procurement of intitial spares to support production aircraft and fielding of new components.
• Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS) - assist AV PMO in managing the development, procurement, and sustainment of the F-35 HMDS.
• Lightning Support Team (LST) - assist AV PMO in ensuring continued Airworthiness/Aircraft Safety, maintaining the inherent design, preserving operational service life, sustaining mission capability, fostering platform readiness, and lifecycle cost.

To Be Successful In This Role, You Will Have

• The ability to provide onsite support at the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) at Crystal City, VA a minimum of 2 days per week, each week. Onsite days in the JPO office may increase to provide onsite support up to 5 days per week to support the needs of the customer. Exact days in office at the JPO must be coordinated with F-35 customer and approved by your Serco manager.
• An active DoD Secret Security clearance.
• A Master’s degree and at least 10 years of experience in program management, technical, or business analysis.
• OR a Bachelor’s degree and a total of 14 years of experience in program management, technical, or business analysis.
• At least discipline, in weapons systems acquisition and life cycle management.
• A minimum of 6 years of recent work experience related to analysis and planning.
• At least 3 years supporting a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP).
• Leadership experience in US Service-related military operations or defense acquisition program management related to weapons system acquisition, employment, and life cycle management.
• Knowledge in DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5000.2 (Operation of the Defense Acquisition System), DoD Directive (DODD) 5530.03 (International Agreements), and the International Cooperation in Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (IC in AT&L) Handbook.
• Provide subject matter expertise to support F-35 program in delivering the weapons system.
• Assist with task support of acquisitions, financial management, risk management, systems engineering, total ownership cost determination, acquisition coordination, and communications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles, policies, and practices of system acquisition to plan, organize, and coordinate critical aspects of the development, production, and deployment of systems, subsystems, and equipment
• Demonstrated knowledge of the system equipment life‑cycle phases and the documentation, analyses, and reviews associated with those phases.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Additional Desired Experience And Skills

• Experience of creating products and working in Microsoft Office Suite- Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel (data types, formulas, and functions in the workbooks), Microsoft Powerpoint, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft TEAMS.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to effectively interface with government teams, prime contractors, and supporting organizations.
• Experience in task management tools such as ETMS2.
• Demonstrated experience supporting the full acquisition lifecycle, including requirements development, acquisition strategy planning, contract package preparation, and post‑award performance tracking.
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition processes, policies, and documentation, with the ability to assist in drafting acquisition strategies, acquisition documentation, and supporting materials for government review and approval.
• Experience coordinating with program leadership, technical teams, engineering organizations, and contracting offices to refine requirements and support program execution.
• Ability to track and monitor project schedules, performance metrics, and resource availability, ensuring alignment with program timelines and operational priorities.

Company Overview

Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco’s 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers.

Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.

To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer. If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: [e-mail] or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.

Candidates may be asked to present proof of identify during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government‑issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.

Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email [e-mail].

Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Pay Transparency

Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance‑based incentives, and benefits that promote well‑being and work‑life balance—so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time‑off programs that support work‑life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job‑related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long‑term incentive opportunities. Benefits – Comprehensible benefits for full‑time employees (part‑time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract
• 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Life insurance and disability coverage
• Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Plan

To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us.

Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations.