F-22 Strategic Mission Planner Sr

Standard Job Description

As an F-22 Strategic Mission Planner, you will bridge tactical flight operations and ground-based mission execution systems. Whether your background stems from the cockpit as a pilot, the mission compartment as enlisted aircrew, or the flightline and back shop as a fighter avionics specialist, your real-world understanding of flight operations and mission systems will directly shape front-line combat capability.

In this role, you will leverage the Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), the F-22 Unique Planning Component (UPC), and secure mission support elements to prepare Fifth-Generation fighter pilots for high-threat combat, multinational exercises, and agile training deployments. In this deployable position, you will travel to locations around the country and around the world to work with the top F-22 pilots in the U.S. Air Force.

What You Will Be Doing

Your primary responsibilities follow the end-to-end combat sortie lifecycle, ensuring seamless integration between tactical pre-mission planning, and post-mission analysis:

• Tactical Flight & Sortie Planning: Collaborate directly with F-22 Pilots, Weapons Officers, and Flight Leads to build combat missions, Flag exercises, and daily training sorties. Ingest Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), Air Coordination Orders (ACOs), and Special Instructions (SPINS) utilizing JMPS to generate tactical routings, sensor settings, and communication plans.
• Sensor Tailoring & Threat Envelope Management: Partner with Weapons Officers to establish Tactical Areas of Interest and integrate Threat Data Sources. Tailor sensor scans to optimize situational awareness in contested airspace.
• Mission Data Load Generation: Assemble, validate, and encrypt complex Mission Data Loads using JMPS and the Secure Interface System. Transfer mission-critical data onto Data Transfer Cartridges, while managing required cryptographic keying material.
• Post-Mission Exploitation & Tactical Debriefing: Conduct post-flight media processing by extracting and decrypting Recorded Mission Events. Reconstruct flight engagements to support pilots and Weapons Officers during detailed tactical debriefs.
• Agile Combat Employment (ACE) & Expeditionary Operations: Support deployments and austere hub-and-spoke footprints.

Basic Qualifications

• Operational Experience: Minimum 3 years of hands-on technical or operational military/defense industry experience in at least one of the following domains:

• Rated Military Pilot, Airborne Battle Manager (ABM) experienced in fighter, strike, C2, or EW flight operations.

• Enlisted Aircrew (e.g., Airborne Sensor Operator, Surveillance Operator, In-Flight Technician, Airborne Systems Engineer) experienced in airborne sensors, tactical datalinks, or electronic debriefing.

• Fighter Aircraft Avionics Specialist (USAF AFSC 2A3X4, 2A3X5, 2A9X0, or sister-service equivalent) with expertise in fighter avionics architecture, COMSEC data transfer devices, or weapon systems management.

• Systems/Software/Test Engineer directly supporting fighter avionics, tactical datalinks, or mission planning ground systems.

• Mission Systems Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency operating, loading, or administering mission planning environments (e.g., JMPS, PFPS, or equivalent DoD tactical planning systems).

• Security Clearance & Citizenship: Active DoD Secret clearance prior to start date, with verified eligibility for Special Access Programs (SAP/SAR). Must be a U.S. Citizen.

• Cybersecurity Certification: Ability to obtain CompTIA Security+ (DoD 8570/8140 IAT Level II) certification within six months of hire.

• Willingness to Deploy and Meet Military Readiness Requirements: Willing to go on extended TDY travel. Flexibility with work shifts and schedule, including working weekends as required. Deploy to potential combat zone. Maintain medical and physical fitness sufficient to endure deployments in support of a military operation, to include wearing a gas mask. Receive required vaccinations and military training.

Desired Skills

• Prior flight operations, fighter avionics maintenance, or mission planning experience with 4th/5th Generation fighter aircraft (F-22, F-35, F-15E/EX, F-16).
• Direct experience utilizing the F-22 Unique Planning Component (UPC), Workflow Manager (WFM), or Mission Support Element (MSE/MSS).
• Operational familiarity with Intra-Flight Data Link (IFDL), Link-16 (JTIDS), and electronic COMSEC/cryptographic loading procedures.
• Hands-on experience with Electronic Warfare Common Component (EWCC), threat Order of Battle (OB), and Precision Guided Munitions Planning Software (PGMPS/JTM).
• Experience administering mission planning workstations (WIN11) and local servers (Windows Server, Active Directory, or Solaris with Trusted Extensions).
• Active CompTIA Security+ certification
• Current Top Secret / SCI eligibility or active SAP read-in.

Pay Information

Full-Time Salary Range: $95900.00 - $178100.00

At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow-both professionally and personally.

The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate''s work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.

• Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
• For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.