Contract Instructor

The provision of high-quality training support and instruction to F-35B Lightning squadron pilots. The personal maintenance of the highest instructional standards. Familiarity with front line Lightning tactics and doctrine. The provision of high-quality ground school training in accordance with the currently defined Lightning Force Headquarters Air Command syllabi. Acting as primary or secondary Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for technical systems as allocated by the ITC Instructional Lead and maintenance of relevant lecture material. The provision of high-quality pilot specific synthetic training on the Full Mission Simulator and Deployable Mission Rehearsal Trainer in accordance with the UK syllabi both at the UK training centre as well as on deployed operations. Instructor Operator Station (IOS) Console support for Lightning squadron Instructor Pilots where required. The provision of synthetic device technical and training expert advice in order to help develop and evolve training syllabi, mission scenarios and tactics to meet UK sovereign requirements for the Lightning weapon system.

Your skills and experiences

• Essential

• 500 hrs P1 in an operational FJ aircraft
• Qualified Flying, Pilot, Weapons, or Electronic Warfare Instructional (QFI, QPI, QWI, EWI) experience in a FJ aircraft
• Pairs lead
• Minimum of twelve years' professional military experience

• Previous F-35 experience
• Air-to-Air or multi-Role expertise
• 1000 hrs P1 in an operational FJ aircraft
• Recent (< 10 years) flying experience in a theatre of operations
• Four-ship lead qualification
• EWI/SEAD/DEAD Experience
• Experience instructing on an OCU/FJ Trg Sqn
• Recent White Force experience
• Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) or Squadron QPI or QWI experience

Benefits

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 Support team

As a F‑35 Contractor Instructor Pilot, you will be based in the new state‑of‑the‑art Integrated Training Centre (ITC), responsible for the provision of high‑quality synthetic training support and instruction to all F‑35 Lightning pilots. You will also be responsible for providing specialist support, when required, for the development of the UK sovereign training system, together with support to the definition and design of training scenarios, tactics and mission conduct.

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

31st October 2025. 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.