Standard Job DescriptionThe F-22 Lead Release Captain provides enterprise-level oversight across all 'Raptor Releases' and the F-22 Integration and Release Pipeline. This includes quality/defect management, capability development/integration/delivery, roadmap and schedule mgmt, and process mgmt. The F-22 Lead Release Captain reports to the F-22 Weapons Systems Lead and leads the F-22 Release Captains. They partner with Capability Leads, senior leadership, customers, and other stakeholders to ensure that all releases are strategically aligned, technically sound, and executed with a high-performing, well-prepared team.
Key Responsibilities
Capability Delivery Management
- Coordinate with PMs, subsamplers, partners, and Sustainment (RAMP/DR) on cross-release coordination of content, resources, and schedules
- Drive performance as measured by the F-22 Capability Development Plan (CDP), engineering metrics, customer metrics, and more
- Track integration build status, integration test outcomes, and flight-test readiness; alert Cape Leads and stakeholders to any deviations.
Roadmap Planning & Execution
- Work with Capacity / Roadmap Lead, the F-22 Program Management team, and all key stakeholders to regularly evaluate the long-range Integration Pipeline Roadmap.
- Serve as the primary focal point for planning and coordination of Raptor Releases beyond the "active" Raptor Releases.
- Jointly coordinate and participate in Relay Planning and Capability Summary events; identify resource gaps; and recommend/drive actions, schedule or scope adjustments to ensure timely and quality content delivery
Quality and Defect Management
- Own the end-to-end defect life-cycle (deferral labeling, stability Labeling, closure tracking)
- Lead weekly defect-board meeting; prioritize remediation against roadmap milestones and opportunities; track Sev-1/2 SDEFs through closure
- Monitors metrics dashboards (burndown, defect aging, resolution rate) and report to senior leadership
- Evaluate strategic and tactical opportunities to improve aircraft systems' stability and performance
Process Improvement & Coaching
- Maintain awareness of all JP's (joint processes) that support the pipeline; Coordinate and facilitate updating them to meet emerging needs
Identify and implement pipeline efficiency improvements - Mentor and coach Release Captains and Capability Leads on best practices, data-driven decision-making, and risk mitigation
Release Coordination & Leadership
- Owns and manages the F-22 Key Development Milestones and Tempo chart and coordinates updates to the RTT Setback Schedule & Process in line with the execution of the F-22 Joint Roadmap
- Serve as the primary liaison between Release Captains, Capability Leads, Weapon-System Managers, and the PM office
Coordinate and participate of Cross-Release and Monthly OFP Release Coordination meetings - Participate in Integration Pipeline related meetings such as PIT Status Meeting, Scrum-of-Scrums, Capability Summary, Relay Planning, Bi-Weekly Status, Quality Gate Reviews, etc.
- Documentation & Visibility
Own and update regularly the Value Stream Governance documentation and transparency portals, unclass and classified, for effective, top-tier communication with stakeholders and members.
Risk & Sustainment Integration
- Coordinate with risk-management teams and program managers to surface and mitigate pipeline-level risks.
- Align Sustainment inputs (RAMP, DRs) with upcoming releases to avoid post-release surprises.
Basic QualificationsEducation: B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field (M.S. preferred).
discipline (M.S. or PMP/PMI-ACP certification strongly preferred).
Experience: 8+ years of experience in defense program integration, with at least 3 years in defect-management or capability-delivery leadership roles.
Analytical Skills: Ability to synthesize large data sets (defect metrics, roadmap status) into actionable recommendations.
Clearance: Ability to Obtain and Maintain an Active Secret Clearance
Desired Skills- Leadership & Coaching: Experience in coaching senior technical leads (Release Captains, Capability Leads) and driving cultural/process change.
- Strategic thinker who can balance day-to-day defect resolution with long-range roadmap health.
- Technical Expertise
- Deep knowledge of SDEF lifecycle, JIRA, ATNet, and release-management processes.
- Familiarity with F-22 flight-test, Tier-3 lab, EOFC-4 verification, and sustainment interfaces.
- Strong influencer with excellent facilitation skills across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Passion for continuous improvement and a data-driven decision-making culture.
Pay InformationFull-Time Salary Range: $158700.00 - $294700.00
