Clarification from the agency

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

• Performs multidisciplinary professional engineering work involving the application of electronics, mechanical, aerospace, and/or other engineering disciplines to determine the business and technical needs of customers in the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, sub-systems, support systems, equipment items, or an equivalent product.
• Functions as the organization's technical specialist in developing system performance requirements, objectives and integration, and the estimation of time and resources for system design, development, and support.
• Performs complex and comprehensive analyses and uses systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approaches to determine performance objectives and integration issues.
• Serves as a consultant and technical expert to senior subject matter specialists and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
• 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 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.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
• This position has been designated as a Non-Critical Acquisition Position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
• The selectee must meet or be capable of achieving the APDP certification as designated on the position description within the defined grace period for that certification level after assignment.
• This position also requires the employee to engage in acquisition continuous learning activities achieving 80 Continuous Learning points every 24 months

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, General Engineering Series 0801 located here.

BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must:(1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than 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. 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 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: (Click here for detailed explanation of each of these items)

1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's 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.)

AND

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes knowledge of advanced engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods to ensure assigned projects remain consistent with program objectives, costs, schedules, performance criteria, and existing policies. Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate significant and complex projects in weapon systems acquisitions. Formulate and explain recommendations or solutions to modify standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and techniques. Ability to apply experimental theories, new applications or developments to improve operations and/or resolve unique or complex/controversial problems, conditions, or issues.

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. Knowledge of a wide range of multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.
2. Knowledge of development engineering methodologies sufficient to apply experimental theories and/or new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.
3. Knowledge of systems engineering practices and procedures as they pertain to sustainment, modification, logistics, and production management principles, concepts, policies, and systems.
4. Knowledge of the principles of planning and program management; of standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and of other engineering disciplines used in support of sustainment, modification, and maintenance programs.
5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches; to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes; and to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, form conclusions, and devise and recommend solutions to problems.
6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate for the General Engineer position understands the Department of War developmental test and evaluation (T&E) lifecycle. This individual will have a proven track record of managing complex, technical programs and leading multidisciplinary teams within a dynamic test environment. As this position supports the Integrated Developmental Test (IDT) flight in its role as the Lead Developmental Test Organization (LDTO) for the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), direct experience with Air Force T&E policies, processes, and organizational structure is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be adept at strategic planning, resource management, and risk mitigation, ensuring the rigorous and efficient testing of critical warfighting systems. We are seeking a proactive and collaborative professional who can effectively communicate with all stakeholders-from engineers and test pilots to senior AFTC leadership-to drive mission success.

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.

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.

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: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
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 (honorable or general) 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.

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).

Next steps