Affordability Systems Engineer Staff - E4

Standard Job Description

You will be the Affordability Engineer Staff - Level 4 for the F-35 Affordability Engineering team which is responsible for delivering cost‑effective solutions across the F‑35 program. In this role you will be responsible for driving cost‑reduction initiatives and providing strategic affordability guidance to multiple stakeholders in addition to leading a high performing team and providing mentorship to junior affordability engineers.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead the team through integration and execution of Cost Reduction Initiatives (CRI) across Production, Sustainment, and Development business units.
• Advise cost‑category owners and CRI project leads on affordability processes, decision criteria, and funding options.
• Monitor CRI project budgets and progress, delivering technical guidance to process and program managers.
• Act as liaison among engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, suppliers, and program stakeholders.
• Develop expertise as a Value‑Driven Solutions Specialist supporting Aeronautics Engineering & Technology leadership.

Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications. For positions that perform IT responsibilities, use E646, Systems Engr-IT.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or other degree type with extensive demonstrated experience in the field
• Experience with Cost Engineering, Proposals, or Cost Estimating
• Experience with manufacturing materials, production, repairs, or sustainment processes (Sustainment processes highly preferred)
• Experience performing business case analysis, cost benefit analysis, or trade studies within sustainment and/or production contracts

Desired Skills

• Master’s Degree
• Experience with Parametric Estimating, Learning Curve Analysis, or Cost Estimating Relationships
• Experience with estimating tools such as PRICE, SEER, or TruePlanning
• Familiarity with producibility or manufacturability analysis
• Familiarity with Design-To-Cost/Life Cycle Cost (DTC/LCC) processes
• Knowledge of the overall F-35 air system
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles or experience
• Certified Lean Six Sigma Green or Black belt
• Knowledge of Subcontract Management process (TINA, FAR, proposal, PCA, negotiations, FFP, LTA, MRC, etc.)
• Experience in systems engineering disciplines with understanding of the total lifecycle (architecture, requirements, design, analysis, integration, verification, production, and sustainment)
• Communication skills with demonstrated experience liaising across multiple teams such as engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, suppliers, and other business areas
• Experience using Microsoft Office tools emphasizing Excel, PowerPoint, and Word