Standard Job Description

The 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 Qualifications

Education:         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.