F-35 LIGHTNING II JOINT PROGRAM OFFICE - CONTRACT SPECIALIST at PEO FOR JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER — Applications Closed

Job Description

F-35 LIGHTNING II JOINT PROGRAM OFFICE - CONTRACT SPECIALIST is listed by PEO FOR JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER in Arlington. The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) within the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is seeking a Contract Specialist to run cradle-to-grave contracting conditions for the F-35 program.

This role aids the design, development, procurement, operation, and maintenance of F-35 aircraft, F135 engines, and associated equipment for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, international partner nations, and Foreign Military Sales clients.

As a Contract Specialist, you’ll create procurement objectives, arrange acquisition blueprints and solicitation documents, and lead negotiations on sole source primary weapons systems contracts. You’ll work with high-level public sector and field officials to ensure the F-35 program meets its acquisition milestones.

This role is perfect for experienced federal contracting professionals with a background in system acquisition programs, charge/price analysis, and negotiation of complex hardware contracts. The role is situated in Arlington, VA, and isn’t telework eligible.

Salary & Compensation

Salary: $121,785 - $158,322 per year.

Qualification

You must encounter the Basic Education Condition for DoD GS-1102 positions: a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. In addition.. You must have at least one year of specialized expertise equivalent to GS-12 in the federal solution or personal/public sector.. Demonstrating expertise in system acquisition contracting..

Rate/cost analysis.. And negotiation of sole source key weapons systems contracts.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution (required for those entering DoD GS-1102 positions on or after October 1, 2000).
• At least one year of specialized background equivalent to GS-12 level, such as: planning, developing, implementing, and administering all contract aspects of a system acquisition program.
• Using price/expense analysis techniques to evaluate contractor proposals and getting ready pre-negotiation positions.
• Applying negotiation techniques to run contract negotiations of hardware sole source significant weapons systems contracts with high-level firm, sector, scientific, and/or state officials.
• Demonstrating finalize and involved know-how in both charge realism and cost analysis in a sole source major weapons system procurement.
• Must meet Department of Defense qualification needs for 1102 contracting positions, including title 10 conditions.
• Expertise may cover paid and unpaid volunteer operate through National Offering programs (e.g., skilled, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).
• Present federal employees must gather time-in-grade needs (one year at GS-12) by the closing date.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Build procurement objectives for the F-35 program for competition and cost range.
• Construct contractual vehicles covering pricing arrangements, subcontracting policy, set-aside policies, and comparable considerations.
• Get ready procurement documentation such as determinations and findings and solicitation documents.
• Arrange and keep up existing acquisition schemes, fitting milestone charts, and related schedules.
• Strategy negotiation game plan, coordinate approach with negotiation teams, and lead negotiations.
• Aid cradle-to-grave contracting conditions for the F-35 Lightning II program.
• Perform with high-level enterprise, industry, scientific, and public sector officials on sole source primary weapons systems contracts.

Conditions & Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be determined right for federal employment.
• Must participate in the straight deposit cover program.
• New employees to the Department of the Navy must pass the E-Verify employment verification inspect.
• Must obtain and uphold an interim and/or last security clearance before entrance on task.
• This role is covered under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA); certification in the Acquisition Functional Field and category is needed within established timeframes.
• Must finish ethics orientation within three months of appointment and send in a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-450) within 30 days.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Appointment of retired military participants within 180 days of retirement is subject to 5 U.S.C. 3326.

Benefits

• Wrap up benefits package as a federal employee, such as health insurance, retirement, and paid depart.
• Access to a variety of upsides designed for a rewarding federal profession.
• Eligibility for gains depends on role type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
• Contact the hiring agency for specific advantages information.

How You Will Be Evaluated

1. Your resume and application package will be reviewed to determine if you encounter hiring eligibility and qualification needs.
2. You’ll be rated set on the details in your resume, responses to the questionnaire, and USA Recruit Assessments.
3. This recruitment applies USA Take on Assessments and a Structured Meeting.
4. The USA Recruit Assessments involve a slice score; you must gather or exceed the trim score to be considered.
5. Performance appraisals and incentive awards listed in your resume may be considered during shortlisting.
6. Only best qualified candidates are usually referred to the hiring manager; sometimes well qualified or minimally qualified you may be referred.
7. Candidates eligible for priority consideration may be referred without other applicants.

Required Documents

• A finalize resume (restricted to no more than 2 pages; illegible resumes won’t be considered).
• Your resume must demonstrate related experience, post title, tasks, accomplishments, employer name, launch/close dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, settle scheme, series, and grade level for federal background.
• SF-50(s) showing you held the next lower grade (GS-12) for at least one year (if registering for promotion).
• Transcripts (formal or unofficial) if using education to encounter qualifications.
• DD-214 or VA letter for veterans' preference (5-point or 10-point).
• SF-15 and supporting documentation for 10-point veterans' preference.
• Statement of solution for active responsibility offering participants (on command letterhead, signed, with dates and character of solution).
• Documentation for ICTAP eligibility (agency notice, most current performance appraisal, most new SF-50).
• Documentation for military spouse preference (if relevant).
• Any called for licenses, certifications, or credentials.

How to Apply

1. Review the complete announcement and instructions before starting your application.
2. To your the authorized submission portal account (or generate one) and unseal the announcement.
3. Click the Apply Online button and response all questions in the application.
4. Attach all needed supporting documentation, covering your resume (2-page limit) and any called for SF-50s, transcripts, or veterans' documents.
5. Click the Submit Submission button before 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date (July 20, 2026).

Additional Information

• This role is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
• Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
• A tentative present may be rescinded if the selectee fails to gather pre-employment conditions.
• You may opt-in to make your resume open to other hiring managers in the agency for 180 days after the announcement closes.
• Relocation expense reimbursement and recruitment incentives may be offered depending on funding and policy.
• Federal annuitants are subject to DoD and DON policy on employment of annuitants.
• ICTAP you must supply required documentation to obtain priority consideration.
• Military spouse preference candidates will be placed at the highest grade for which they’re determined Best Qualified.
• For questions, email the DON Employment Data Center at [email protected].

About Company

The F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) is piece of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and is responsible for the acquisition, development, and sustainment of the F-35 aircraft for the U.S. Military and international partners.

The JPO oversees one of the largest and most complicated defense acquisition programs in history. This Contract Specialist post backs the JPO's mission by handling cradle-to-grave contracting for the F-35 program, such as procurement of aircraft, engines, and assist equipment.

This role is critical to securing the program meets its price, schedule, and performance targets.