GENERAL ENGINEER (TEST & EVALUATION)-DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY Job in Arnold AFB, TN

Vacancy No. AFMC-0801-04-12766797-BNH Department Air Force Materiel Command
Salary $122,198.00 to $182,063.00 Grade 4 to 4
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/21/2025 Close Date 8/29/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Arnold AFB, TN


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 guide the technical development and execution of hypersonic systems aeropropulsion and aerothermal test analysis, ensuring appropriate and accurate development and implementation of test analysis methods to deliver valuable and actionable findings and conclusions.

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

  • Serves as the technical focal point in the execution of the Hypersonic Systems Test Branch mission of test planning, evaluation, analysis, and reporting of high-speed system testing
  • Performs expert level professional engineering work in RDT&E of aerospace and related systems in support of the AFTC and AEDC missions
  • Incumbent is the subject matter expert on one or more aspects of hypersonic aerodynamics, combined-cycle aero propulsion, high temperature materials, uncertainty quantification, statistics, and data analysis
  • Advises Integrated Developmental Test Flight Chief and senior program office leadership on technical risks associated with high speed systems and on integrated test campaigns to adddress those risks

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • The position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • This position may require travel.
  • This position may require drug testing, and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • Selectee may be required to serve a probationary or trial period.
  • A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution in Engineering or a closely related field is required.
  • This position has been designated as a Non-Critical Acquisition Position. Category- Test and Evaluation. Level 2- Practitioner and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
  • The employee must meet or be capable of achieving the APDP certification designated on the position description within the defined grace period for that certification level after assignment.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
  • Expert knowledge of high-speed aeropropulsion or high-temperature materials test and evaluation techniques and analysis methods
  • Ability and skills to plan, conduct, analyze and report on DT and E activities
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.

Qualifications

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

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. Successful completion of 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, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. 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, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

Must submit all relevant transcripts!

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-03, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-13 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience demands profound expertise in hypersonic aeropropulsion and aerothermal phenomena, coupled with advanced methodologies for test planning, execution, and sophisticated data analysis. Candidates must possess a proven ability to interpret complex test data to deliver actionable insights, establish rigorous technical standards, and provide authoritative guidance for test campaigns and analysis activities. 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.

Ideal Candidate:
  • 10+ years of ground test and evaluation analysis experience
  • 5+ years of experience with hypersonic propulsion or high temperature materials desired
  • 5+ years of experience engaging with hypersonic S&T or acquisitions communities
  • 2+ years of experience leading technical innovation contracting efforts (e.g. SBIRs)
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. Expert knowledge of aeropropulsion and aerothermal test and evaluation techniques for the development test and evaluation (DT&E) of new or significantly modified aerospace vehicles and subsystems.
  2. Expert knowledge of DoD acquisition (T&E) regulations, practices and procedures.
  3. Expert knowledge of aeropropulsion and aerothermal data collection and processing infrastructure required to test hypersonic systems.
  4. Scientific and technical knowledge of hypersonic and related technical disciplines for developmental test and evaluation, ground and air, of these articles.
  5. Knowledge of hypersonic weapon systems and related subsystems, and associated ground test infrastructure required for test and evaluation.
  6. Ability to synthesize concepts, principles, and practices across technical and test engineering disciplines within a multi-disciplinary/multi-organizational team construct.
  7. Ability and skills to plan, conduct, analyze and report on DT&E activities conducted by the organization. Capable of leading development of new data collection and analysis tools as required to meet mission objectives.
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

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-04 equivalent to a GS-14 to GS-15.

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

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 08/29/2025

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12766797

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
Arnold AFB
100 Kindle Drive
Suite C318
Arnold AFB, TN 37389
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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