Director of Engineering, F-35 Joint Program Office

The Director of Engineering (DOE) serves as the senior engineering authority and executive leader for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO). In this capacity, the DOE provides technical guidance across the Department of War (DoW) and to International Partners, while serving as the primary civilian executive advisor to the Program Executive Officer (PEO) on all aerospace weapon system matters.

The Director of Engineering (DOE) serves as the primary engineering management authority for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), overseeing the entire lifecycle-development, acquisition, and sustainment-of the aeronautical weapon system while leading a workforce of over 800 personnel and advising senior Department of War (DoW) leadership. The DOE functions as the recognized authority for aeronautical weapon system engineering, managing technology investments and complex systems integration for the F-35 program. This role is responsible for providing high-level technical advice to the DoW, USAF, USN, and International Participants, ensuring that all engineering efforts align with mission requirements and executive policies. By exercising full authority over engineering decisions, the DOE establishes project schedules, evaluates technical risks, and approves the implementation of state-of-the-art technology to overcome unforeseen development or sustainment challenges. Central to this mission is the integration of diverse subsystems-including propulsion, avionics, airframe design, and mission systems-into a unified, effective weapon system that meets military requirements. The DOE develops engineering philosophies to optimize subsystem compatibility while balancing cost, schedule, and performance constraints. This executive leadership extends to maintaining critical contacts across the DoW, Department of the Air Force, Department of the Navy, and international industry partners to ensure that engineering decisions remain accurate and technically sound. As the senior civilian executive advisor to the Program Executive Officer (PEO), the DOE plays a vital role in formulating long-range program objectives and defining mission requirements. The individual represents the PEO at the highest levels of government, including Congressional committees and inter-agency panels, to justify program progress or secure approval for revisions. Furthermore, the DOE manages a significant workforce, directly supervising senior GS-15/O-6 level personnel and providing direction to approximately 800 personnel across various field organizations, while continuously seeking to streamline operations and improve system effectiveness.