GENERAL ENGINEER-Direct Hire Authority Job in Edwards AFB, CA

Vacancy No. AFMC-080104-2-12783030-SJB Department Air Force Materiel Command
Salary $145,180.00 to $221,998.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/21/2025 Close Date 12/19/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Edwards AFB, CA


Summary

Veterans preference does not apply to DHA recruitment.

"Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School's (TPS) nationally/internationally recognized technical expert in one of the four major phases of the curriculum: Flight Sciences, Mission Systems, Space Sciences, or Test Foundations.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

Duties

  • Senior Advisor: Serves as the top education advisor and senior technical consultant to the Commandant and the Technical Director of the USAF TPS in one of the four major phases of instruction.
  • Curriculum Developer: Defines, integrates, and implements curriculum development for a graduate-level educational program.
  • Master's Degree Educator: As a technical matter expert, educates students on how to conduct evaluation of new or critically modified aerospace vehicles; gathers, analyzes, and reports on data; identifies and characterizes deficiencies; and recommends corrective actions through teaching academic courses, leading simulator and/or laboratory sessions, and conducting control room and in-flight instruction.
  • National/International Technical Expert: Represents TPS and AFTC as a recognized test technical expert at national and
    international symposia and conferences including, but not limited to, those sponsored by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, the Society of Flight Test Engineers, the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Space Foundation, the International Test and Evaluation Association, and the Flight Test Safety Committee.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
  • Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays. Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.
  • It is highly desirable for the incumbent to have an PhD in Aero Engineering, Astro Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
  • MS in Aero Engineering, Astro Engineering, Flight Test Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering is highly desired and/or be a graduate of a military test pilot school.
  • In addition, they need to have at least five years of flight or space test experience as a military or civilian test pilot, space operator, combat system operator, or test engineer.
  • Fifteen years of test experience can be substituted for an advanced engineering degree. Prior teaching and/or simulator experience is highly desired.
  • Incumbent must pass and maintain a Class 3 aviation Service Code (ASC) 9D flight physical or higher as directed by AFI 11-402 (paragraphs 1.52 and 2.12.
  • Flight Physical Required (N/A Space Sciences) Flying Duties require exposure to a dynamic and physically demanding flight environment and may be required to perform certain flying duties associated with the teaching of the various courses.

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional Engineering Positions, 800 series, HERE.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-04, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-15 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience includes experience in areas of instructional systems design, curriculum development and execution, organization and staffing, resourcing, training operations and management, and student programming and administration. Must possess strong knowledge of Flight Sciences, Mission Systems, Space Sciences, or Test Foundations.

NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OR
EDUCATION: NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts.

Ideal Candidate: The Technical Expert will serve as a Senior Advisor to school leadership, as a senior curriculum developer, as a Master's degree educator, and as a National/International Technical Expert in test & evaluation. Successful candidates will bring significant RDT&E experience, excel in a technical leadership and educational roles, effectively lead small and large teams, and be effective at communicating at all levels of the Department of Defense.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
1. Advanced knowledge of professional instructional systems design principles, techniques, practices, and procedures.
2. Expert professional knowledge of learning theory and psychology of learning including application of learning theories as it relates to systematic design, development, and validation of instructional programs.
3. Expert knowledge of advanced technical concepts, principles, and techniques across multiple interrelated and integrated technical and test engineering disciplines.
4. Expert knowledge, skill, and ability to conduct ground and live-flight instruction of technical theory, modeling and simulation, test planning, test conduct, coordination and supervision, data analysis and evaluation, technical reporting, and administrative aspects of test programs. This includes classroom lectures, simulator sessions, laboratory exercises, test briefings/debriefings, and airborne/live-fly instruction.
5. Strong ability to plan and organize work, coordinate between various electronic/aerospace/mechanical engineering and test disciplines, and coordinate with Air Force, Space Force, DoD, and other domestic and foreign government agencies.
6. Ability to flexibly adapt to changing requirements due to internal and external influences. Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy both orally and in writing.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:

A. Degree: Have a Bachelor's Degree in professional engineering from a curriculum (1) in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineer curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (beyond first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics; (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Education/Experience: Have a combination of education and experience--college level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences, and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional Registration. Have current registration as a professional engineer.

2. Written Test. Have evidence of successfully passing the written test required for professional registration or have successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination and have completed all the requirements for either (a) a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology (BET) from an accredited college or university that included 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences, or (b) a BET from a program accredited by ABET.

3. Specified Academic Courses. Have successfully completed at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of courses in the Physical, Mathematical, and Engineering sciences and in Engineering that included the courses specified in "A" above.

4. Related Curriculum. Have successfully completed a curriculum leading to a Bachelor's Degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field (e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology) and have 1 year of professional engineering experience under the guidance and supervision of a professional engineer. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. If you are using a related curriculum to qualify, failure to submit the following documentation will result in you being rated ineligible. You must submit a legible copy of your training plan, performance appraisal and/or a letter from your Professional Engineer Supervisor. The letter must reflect the individuals Professional Engineer License Number. [Note: Your education/experience will be thoroughly evaluated under this provision. To ensure you receive maximum consideration, you should provide detailed descriptions of professional engineering duties performed under the guidance and supervision of a professional engineer; continuing education/training received; evidence of acceptance in the professional engineering field (i.e., patents, associations, published articles, etc.), and any other relevant factors.]

To view qualifying educational requirements and/or combination of education and specialized experience click on the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-PROF

To view basic qualification requirements click on the following link:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pd


ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.


FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

This is an acquisition demonstration project position NH-4 equivalent to a GS-14 to GS-15.

Flight Physical Required (N/A Space Sciences): Flying duties require exposure to a dynamic and physically demanding flight environment. Incumbent must pass and maintain a Class 3 aviation Service Code (ASC) 9D flight physical (or higher) as directed by AFI 11-402 (paragraphs 1.52 and 2.12).
Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET level security clearance (Space Science Technical Experts must also maintain eligibility for SCI and SAP access).

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

  1. Online Application: Questionnaire
  2. Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
  3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
  • Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
  • Branch of Armed Forces
  • Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s)
  • Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
  • Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
  • Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
  • Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
  • Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.
Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/19/2025

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12783030

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent."

  • It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.

2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:
Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.
Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Air Force Test Center Recruitment
Address
Edwards AFB
5 N Seller Avenue
Bldg 3000, Rm 120
Edwards AFB, CA 93524
US

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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