Program Manager

About the Program

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) is the largest defense acquisition program in the Department of Defense, managing the development, production, sustainment, and modernization of the F-35 for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and eight international partner nations, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. The JPO operates under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and is headquartered at the Pentagon. The F-35 is the next generation strike fighter bringing cutting-edge technologies to the battlespace of the future. The F-35s advanced airframe, autonomic logistics, avionics, propulsion systems, stealth, and firepower will ensure that the F-35 is the most affordable, lethal, supportable, and survivable aircraft ever to be used by so many warfighters around the world.

PM Position Overview

The Program Manager (PM) will support the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) in the planning, execution, and oversight of one of the Department of Defense’s most complex and high-visibility acquisition programs. This role requires a strong background in defense acquisition, stakeholder coordination, and program execution across multiple services and international partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for an assigned F-35 portfolio/project
• Coordinate with DoD stakeholders, military services, industry partners, and international customers
• Develop and maintain program documentation including acquisition strategies, program baselines, and briefing materials
• Track program execution and identify risks, issues, and mitigation strategies
• Support milestone reviews, decision briefings, and senior leader engagements
• Analyze program data and provide recommendations to improve efficiency and outcomes
• Ensure compliance with DoD acquisition policies, regulations, and reporting requirements
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration between engineering, logistics, contracting, and financial management teams

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Program Management, or related field
• 5–10+ years of experience in DoD acquisition, program management, or related field
• Experience supporting ACAT I or Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs)
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
• Experience with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-visibility environment
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS Engineering, MS Systems Engineering, or equivalent)
• Experience with the F-35 program or other joint/international programs
• Secret clearance

Clearance

Applicants selected will be subject to a security investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.