F35 Sustainment Operations SME

Job Description

Job Description

Position Description

Title: F-35 Sustainment Operations SME

Location: Arlington, VA (On-Site)

Clearance: Must be a U.S. citizen with an active Secret clearance (required)

About us

Paradigm Max Q is redefining defense industry support. Founded in 2023, we combine elite talent with advanced analytics to deliver actionable solutions that improve readiness and reduce costs for the government and warfighter. With rapid growth and operations across the U.S., we're driven by performance, innovation, and impact.

Our mission: to deliver measurable results that strengthen national defense and empower those who serve.

Job Summary

Paradigm Max Q is seeking an onsite (must be located within the NCR) highly experienced Senior F-35 Lightning Sustainment Operations SME to support the F-35 JPO leading cross-enterprise readiness initiatives and operational integration efforts across the F-35 fleet. This position requires a seasoned professional with direct F-35 operational experience and demonstrated success executing senior staff-level work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead readiness and operations improvement projects in support of enterprise fleet readiness priorities, aligning operational requirements with sustainment execution across the F-35 ecosystem.
• Develop and staff senior leader products including readiness briefs, decision memoranda, issue papers, read-aheads, and staffing packages for government leadership.
• Drive cross-functional coordination across JPO, Services, MAJCOMs/Fleet commands, operational units, depots, OEMs, and sustainment partners to improve readiness performance and execution timelines.
• Analyze readiness drivers and degraders impacting availability and mission capability and translate findings into prioritized actions and decision support.
• Support fleet readiness governance forums by developing agendas, capturing outcomes, tracking actions, and ensuring follow-through execution across stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and communicate enterprise constraints (supply, maintenance, engineering, training, manpower) that impact fleet readiness outcomes.
• Support development of integrated readiness recovery strategies and coordinated mitigation approaches for high-impact readiness degraders.
• Coordinate government taskers and suspense-driven staffing actions, ensuring timely responses and high-quality products suitable for senior leader review.
• Provide stakeholder engagement support, including meeting preparation, capture of key decisions, and development of executive communication products.
• Support periodic assessments, special studies, and government-directed readiness projects as required.

Deliverables

• Executive-level readiness briefs and decision support products
• Fleet readiness status reports and enterprise action tracker updates
• Readiness issue papers and staffing packages for leadership coordination
• Governance support products (agendas, minutes, action closure documentation)

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree (required)
• Master's degree (preferred)

Experience

• 12+ years supporting DoD aviation operations, readiness, sustainment, or enterprise integration roles
• Direct F-35 operational experience (pilot, maintainer, squadron operations, operational staff, or comparable experience)
• Experience with Joint Program Office Sustainment Activities (Ops Center, HPSI, DFRS, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience within a Command Action Operations Center (CAOC)
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior staff-level execution (Pentagon, Service Headquarters, Joint Staff, OSD, MAJCOM, or equivalent)
• Proven ability to lead readiness integration across complex organizations and influence outcomes through coordination and execution
• Experience translating operational readiness priorities into actionable sustainment initiatives across supply, maintenance, and engineering communities

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Strong understanding of readiness drivers, aviation sustainment enterprise execution, and operational impacts
• Ability to evaluate readiness performance and communicate trends, risk areas, and recommendations to senior leaders
• Strong ability to decompose enterprise readiness challenges into coordinated actions, suspense timelines, and measurable outcomes

Software & Tools

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Familiarity with readiness reporting systems, dashboards, and enterprise action tracking tools

Certifications (Preferred)

• DAU Life Cycle Logistics / Program Management

Security Clearance

• Must be a U.S. citizen with an active Secret clearance (required)

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Strong executive communication skills, including briefing and writing for senior leaders
• High credibility operating with operational units and headquarters organizations
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management across government and industry
• Self-starter with disciplined execution, suspense management, and attention to detail
• Ability to operate effectively in high-tempo, high-visibility environments
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to driving enterprise readiness outcomes

Benefits Statement: Paradigm Max Q provides eligible employees with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; a 401(k)-retirement plan; paid time off (PTO) for vacation; and company paid holidays. The benefits package also includes reimbursement for a Planet Fitness Black Card membership.

EEO Statement: Paradigm Max Q is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.