BAE Systems
F35 Lightning || Simulator Instructor Pilot
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Job Title: F-35 Lightning II Simulator Instructor Pilot
Location: RAF Marham - Onsite, 5 days per week
We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.
Salary: Competitive
Who We Are
Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.
From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.
Job Description
Joining BAE Systems as an F-35 Lightning II Simulator Instructor Pilot 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.
Core Duties
- Deliver world-class training to F-35B Lightning pilots, consistently setting and maintaining the highest instructional and training delivery standards
- Lead engaging Lightning ground school academic lectures and FAM-phase simulator sorties, directly enabling pilots to progress from zero-to-solo on the Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) training syllabus
- Provide clear, accurate, and objective assessments of pilot performance, producing high-quality written reports and designing targeted remedial training
- Support OCU and Front Line squadron simulator operations through expert use of the Instructor Operator Station (IOS), ensuring safe, effective, and mission-relevant synthetic training
- Apply current front-line Lightning tactics and doctrine to training delivery, ensuring operational relevance and realism at every stage
- Act as a recognised Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned aircraft systems, owning and maintaining authoritative instructional and lecture material in line with ITC guidance
- Deliver high-fidelity, pilot-specific synthetic training on the Full Mission Simulator (FMS) and Deployable Mission Rehearsal Trainer (DMRT), both in the UK and on deployed operations, in accordance with UK Lightning syllabi
- Provide expert technical and training advice to shape and evolve synthetic training devices, mission scenarios, and tactics, ensuring UK sovereign Lightning training requirements are fully met and future-proofed
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Essential Skills
- 500hrs P1 in an Operational Fast Jet aircraft
The Instructor Pilot Team
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).
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Why BAE Systems?
Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.
A Place Where Everyone Can Thrive
We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.
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: 13th August 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.
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