F-35 Combat Data Systems (CDS) Systems Engineer

ACT1 Federal•Arlington, VA

3d•$120,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

Secret clearance
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

Nice To Haves

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

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