F35 Air Vehicle Sustainment Subject Matter Expert

Paradigm Max Q is redefining defense industry support. Founded in 2023, we combine elite talent, disciplined execution, and innovative thinking to deliver measurable results that improve readiness and reduce costs for the government and warfighter. As a rapidly growing SDVOSB, we are committed to operational excellence, accountability, and building a high-performing organization that delivers exceptional results for our customers. Our mission is to deliver measurable results that strengthen national defense and empower those who serve.

Position Summary

Paradigm Max Q is seeking a highly experienced F-35 Air Vehicle Sustainment Subject Matter Expert (SME) with demonstrated Degrader Action Cell (DAC) experience to support the F-35 Air Vehicle Product Support Manager (PSM) and DAC leadership. This role focuses on identifying, analyzing, prioritizing, tracking, and resolving sustainment degraders affecting F-35 air vehicle performance, availability, and readiness.

The SME will leverage deep expertise in Reliability & Maintainability (R&M), supply chain logistics, sustainment analytics, and corrective action planning to develop executable, data-driven solutions in collaboration with government stakeholders, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and cross-functional sustainment teams.

A critical responsibility of this role is supporting DAC operations and leading efforts related to the development, enhancement, and sustainment of the Degrader Action & Resolution Tool (DART), a software platform used to track, manage, prioritize, and resolve sustainment issues through integrated workflows, analytics, and reporting capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Degrader Action Cell (DAC) Operations & Sustainment Analysis

• Support DAC leadership in the identification, prioritization, tracking, and resolution of sustainment degraders impacting F-35 fleet readiness, availability, and sustainment performance.


• Identify, evaluate, and forecast current and emerging sustainment degraders across F-35 air vehicle systems and components.


• Conduct in-depth R&M, logistics, maintenance, and supply chain analyses to determine root causes using analytical techniques such as driver trees, performance diagnostics, trend analysis, and failure investigations.


• Develop, manage, and deliver Analysis and Resolution Action Plans (ARAPs) aligned with program objectives and operational priorities.


• Facilitate coordination among government, OEM, and contractor stakeholders to ensure timely execution of corrective actions and degrader resolution efforts.

OEM & Supply Chain Coordination

• Assess OEM production, logistics, repair, and sustainment constraints impacting aircraft readiness and availability.


• Develop executable recovery and mitigation strategies in coordination with government and industry partners.


• Perform Line of Balance (LOB) and related analyses to support readiness recovery and degrader resolution efforts.


• Monitor corrective action effectiveness and provide recommendations to reduce sustainment risk and improve performance outcomes.

Digital Tools & Agile Development

• Lead Agile development sprints supporting the transformation and sustainment of the Lightning SRR Evaluation Tool into the Degrader Action & Resolution Tool (DART).


• Integrate ARAPs and DAC workflows into DART, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, traceability, and lifecycle management of sustainment issues.


• Support continuous improvement, enhancement, testing, deployment, and sustainment of DART and associated workflows.


• Collaborate with users and stakeholders to identify system improvements and reporting requirements that enhance DAC effectiveness.

Reporting & Stakeholder Support

• Produce high-quality deliverables including technical reports, monthly status reports, expenditure tracking reports, and trip reports.


• Develop executive-level briefings and recommendations using data-driven analyses and sustainment metrics.


• Present findings, sustainment risks, and resolution strategies to government leadership, DAC leads, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), and other stakeholders.


• Track and report progress of ARAPs and degrader resolution activities to support program decision-making.

Deliverables

• Analysis and Resolution Action Plan (ARAP) documentation for each identified sustainment degrader.


• DAC support products, metrics, dashboards, and readiness assessments.


• Fully functional and continuously enhanced DART software platform.


• Post-deployment support and sustainment of DART workflows and analytics.


• Monthly, interim, and final reports delivered to government stakeholders.


• Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Logistics, Aviation, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline (required).


• Master's degree (preferred).

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience supporting defense sustainment, aviation logistics, or complex DoD acquisition programs.


• Demonstrated experience in root cause analysis, logistics and supply chain analysis, corrective action planning, and sustainment performance improvement.


• Experience supporting Degrader Action Cell (DAC) operations, including sustainment degrader identification, prioritization, tracking, root cause analysis, corrective action planning, and resolution management.


• Experience developing or executing Analysis and Resolution Action Plans (ARAPs) and coordinating cross-functional stakeholder actions.


• Direct experience supporting the F-35 program or comparable advanced weapons system (highly desirable).

Technical & Analytical Skills

• Expertise in Reliability & Maintainability (R&M), sustainment analytics, supply chain risk management, readiness analysis, and value stream optimization.


• Proven ability to analyze complex technical, operational, and logistical issues and deliver actionable, data-driven solutions.


• Strong understanding of aircraft sustainment metrics, readiness drivers, and lifecycle logistics principles.


• Experience supporting performance management initiatives focused on readiness recovery and sustainment improvement.

Software & Tools

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).


• Experience with MS Project, Visio, Power BI, data visualization tools, workflow management tools, and Agile development methodologies.


• Experience using or supporting sustainment management, issue-tracking, or readiness reporting systems is highly desirable.

Certifications (Preferred)

• DAU Life Cycle Logistics Certification.


• Project Management Professional (PMP).


• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher.

Soft Skills & Competencies

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Demonstrated success working across multi-agency, government, contractor, and OEM environments.


• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.


• High adaptability, initiative, and customer-focused mindset.


• Proven relationship management, facilitation, and conflict-resolution skills.


• Ability to manage multiple, high-priority efforts in a dynamic operational environment.

Travel

• Periodic travel required to support site visits, stakeholder engagements, program reviews, and government-directed activities.

Benefits Statement

Paradigm Max Q provides eligible employees with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; short-term and long-term disability coverage; a 401(k)-retirement plan; paid time off (PTO) for vacation; and company-paid holidays. The benefits package also includes reimbursement for a Planet Fitness Black Card membership.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.

Salary Range (DMV Market)

$120,000 annually – $160,000 annually

Location-Based Compensation

Compensation is determined based on the employee's primary work location, applicable labor market, experience, education, certifications, security clearance, and other job-related factors. Candidates working outside the DMV may receive a different salary range consistent with local market conditions and applicable law.