F35 Lightning Simulator Operator

BAE Systems; Marham; On-site; GBP 76,000 - GBP 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking an F-35 Lightning II Simulator Operator to deliver training support for squadron pilots. Candidates will provide expert console support, maintain frontline Lightning knowledge, and act as Subject Matter Expert. The role offers significant responsibilities in a collaborative team environment, competitive benefits, and opportunities for progression within military aviation instruction. Applicants should have military aviation experience and related qualifications.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Health and wellbeing benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Experience as Military Pilot, WSO/Navigator, or Weapons Controller.
• Experience in military instructional roles on OCU or squadron.
• Experience delivering high-fidelity synthetic training.

Responsibilities

• Deliver training support to F-35B Lightning squadron pilots.
• Provide expert IOS console support for simulator sorties.
• Maintain expertise in frontline Lightning tactics.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert for allocated systems.
• Deliver high-fidelity, pilot-specific synthetic training.

Skills

Military aviation experience

Previous F-35 experience

Military Instructional experience

White Force experience

Job description

Salary: Up to £90,000 Dependent of experience

What you’ll be doing

• Deliver exceptional training support to F-35B Lightning squadron pilots, consistently upholding the highest standards of instructional excellence
• Provide expert Instructor Operator Station (IOS) console support for Lightning Operational Conversion Unit and Frontline Squadron simulator sorties, ensuring realistic and effective training outcomes
• Maintain deep, current expertise in frontline Lightning tactics and doctrine, directly informing training realism and operational relevance
• Serve as primary or secondary Subject Matter Expert (SME) for allocated technical systems, as directed by the ITC Instructional Lead, including ownership and continual refinement of associated lecture material
• Deliver high-fidelity, pilot-specific synthetic training on the Full Mission Simulator and Deployable Mission Rehearsal Trainer in accordance with UK syllabi, both at the UK training centre and during deployed operations
• Provide authoritative technical and training advice on synthetic devices, shaping the evolution of UK-sovereign training syllabi, mission scenarios, and tactics for the Lightning weapon system

Your skills and experiences

• Military aviation experience for example Military Pilot, WSO/Navigator or Weapons Controller/Airspace Battle Manager /Fighter Controller
• Previous F-35 experience
• QSFI/QFI/QWI/QPI or EWI
• Military Instructional experience for example on an OCU/Frontline squadron/Fast jet training squadron
• White Force experience

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Integrated Training Centre Lightning Pilot Training Team

Joining BAE Systems as an F-35 Lightning II Simulator Operator offers the opportunity to become part of a highly skilled and collaborative team within the state-of-the-art Integrated Training Centre (ITC). The team is responsible for delivering high-quality synthetic and academic training to all UK F-35 Lightning II pilots, working collectively to maintain the highest standards of instruction and operational readiness.

As part of this team, you will contribute to the development and refinement of the UK sovereign training system, supporting the design of training scenarios, tactics, and mission profiles. The role provides a unique opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, share specialist knowledge, and influence the future of F-35 pilot training within a world-class training environment.

The role offers the opportunity to enter at and progress through numerous levels of training delivery and instructional qualifications based on experience levels and previous qualifications. Progression through the varying levels shown below will expand your instructional scope and qualifications including the award of Qualified Synthetic Flying Instructor (QSFI) for Pilots and advancement onto delivering additional OCU simulator sorties normally delivered by squadron QFI’s (Basic and Advanced QCIP Qualifications).

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

19th February 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.