Instructor Pilot​/F-B​/Amendola AB, Italy

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Lockheed Martin is a global leader in aerospace, defense, and technology solutions, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation and shaping the future of the industry. With a rich legacy of excellence and a commitment to delivering advanced capabilities to our customers, we are proud to be at the forefront of cutting‑edge technology and engineering.

At Lockheed Martin, we are revolutionizing the aerospace and defense sector through groundbreaking technology, advanced manufacturing processes, and a world‑class team of professionals. Our mission‑driven approach and unwavering dedication to excellence ensure that we continue to deliver superior products and solutions to our customers around the world.

Foreign Assignment:
This position will offer a long‑term deployment to a foreign country as a F‑35 A/B Contract Instructor Pilot. The candidate will function as an F‑35A/B Contract Instructor Pilot (CIP) at Amendola Airbase, Italy, reporting to the site’s Training Operations Manager (TOM). Duties include assisting with daily operations, completing assigned tasks, and providing various levels of instruction and support to Italian Air Force (ITAF) and Italian Navy (ITN) pilots operating from Amendola.

The candidate will execute assigned work, coordinate daily/long‑term schedules, assist with courseware and training program development, lead peer reviews, and produce instructional materials in classroom environments and within pilot training devices. They will serve as the focal point for technical content of applicable F‑35 courseware for development and revisions, drawing upon in‑depth knowledge of Joint Technical Data (JTD), service publications, and aircraft systems to ensure accurate, consistent lesson content across a broad spectrum of training materials.

• Conduct F‑35 continuation and upgrade training for ITAF and ITN pilots.
• Instruct and lead ITAF Mission Qualification Training (MQT) and Flight Lead Upgrade (FLUG) missions.
• Conduct CIP‑designated syllabus tasks for ITN’s Basic, Transition, and Senior Officer formal courses.
• Provide academic and pilot training device instruction, adhering to published training and readiness standards.
• Instruct using Electronic Mediated Lecture (EML), Interactive Courseware (ICW), and Pilot Training Devices.
• Operate and instruct from Instructor Operating Stations (IOS) or Full Mission Simulators (FMS)/Mission Rehearsal Trainers (MRT).
• Evaluate and record student academic training, debrief errors, and coordinate corrective action with supervisors as needed.
• Conduct student academic evaluations in accordance with applicable syllabi, ensuring 100% accuracy.
• Assist students and conduct aircrew training device missions as needed.
• Maintain F‑35 platform, tactics, and weapons system expertise, and device qualifications.
• Provide mission replication support, including Forward Air Controller, Airborne Intercept Controller, Air Traffic Control, and threat simulation.
• Support lesson plan and mission guide revision efforts, aircrew training device scenario design, and courseware updates.
• Collaborate with Lockheed and Italian training teams to achieve F‑35 training objectives.
• Implement and support Lockheed Martin initiatives, programs, and policies as directed.

• Experience with the F‑35 program, pilot training curriculum, and system knowledge.
• F‑35 Full Mission Simulator experience.
• Minimum 1,000 hours of experience as a pilot in fourth‑ and/or fifth‑generation fighter aircraft (e.g., F‑22, F‑35, F‑15, F‑16, F‑18).
• Prior experience delivering military pilot academic and simulator training in fourth‑ and/or fifth‑generation tactical fighter aircraft.
• Experience with advanced sensor systems, such as NVS, LANTIRN, Helmet Mounted Cueing, and modern weapons inventory.
• Graduate of a formal military Academic Instructor Course (AIC).
• Experience as a Formal Training Unit (FTU) or Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) instructor.
• Completion of a Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (FWIC), Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), or Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course.
• Standardization/Evaluation Flight Examiner (SEFE) or NATOPS Evaluator experience.

By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.

Onsite Full‑time:
The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility.

• Mid‑Senior level

• Contract

• Management and Manufacturing
• Defense and Space Manufacturing