The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Lead T&E Engineer (NH-0801-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:
Are you an engineering visionary ready to tackle the most complex challenges at the forefront of Test & Evaluation? This advanced-level position offers an unparalleled opportunity to leverage your expert knowledge, shape critical segments of major programs, and directly influence strategic decisions. You'll serve as a recognized technical authority, innovating new methodologies and extending established theories to solve the most intricate problems, all while driving significant change and ensuring operational excellence across vital initiatives. This role is for a seasoned professional who thrives on intellectual rigor, profound impact, and the opportunity to lead and define the future of test engineering on both software and hardware-based systems. In this dynamic role, your days will be dedicated to leading multidisciplinary T&E projects, from initial planning and strategic alignment to in-depth analysis and interpretation of results. You will develop sophisticated test plans, evaluate system performance against rigorous requirements, and devise new methods to assess capabilities. Expect to serve as a key technical advisor, engaging with senior leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring robust data management and reporting. Your expertise will be crucial in mitigating risks, making critical decisions, and continually advancing the state of the art in test and evaluation.

An ideal candidate for this advanced-level position would possess a robust background reflecting significant progressive experience in professional engineering, particularly within Test & Evaluation (T&E). This individual would demonstrate expert knowledge and mastery of advanced engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods, likely acquired through extensive formal education (e.g., graduate-level degrees in engineering) coupled with a proven track record of independently planning and executing highly complex assignments. They would have experience conceiving and defining solutions to intractable problems, interpreting sophisticated findings, and guiding the technical and programmatic work of junior team members, indicating a seasoned professional capable of operating with high autonomy and strategic impact.

Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of a wide range of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced multidisciplinary engineering theories and concepts to test and evaluation activities and advisory services.
2. Knowledge of advanced system/item development testing and evaluation sufficient to apply experimental theories and/or new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of test activities.
3. Knowledge of the principles of system engineering and program management to ensure system requirements, interfaces, capabilities, and program factors are considered in planning, monitoring, and reviewing tests and test results.
4. Knowledge of security guidelines, safety issues, and relevant government and industry standards, regulations, practices, and procedures.
5. Skill in negotiating and/or defending test results, test program concepts, and in communicating clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing.
6. Ability to execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints; together, assemble, analyze facts, form conclusions, devise and recommend solutions to problems; and work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework
• PCS is not authorized. Incentive is not authorized.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise; must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance for the position.
• A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution in (specific discipline of position) or a closely related field is required.
• This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). This position is designated a NON-CRITICAL APDP position.
• Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually, thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
• Employee may be required to work extended or other than normal duty hours to include evenings and weekends and may be subject to recall.
• Incumbent may be required to report to work during base exercises, contingencies, or emergency situations and overtime/comp time/credit hours may be required to accomplish assigned duties.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 20 days per year.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

Qualifications

The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements, you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

How you will be evaluated

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Resume:You must submit a resume that 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 exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:

1. Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
2. Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
3. Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
   • Job title
   • Detailed duties and accomplishments
   • Employer's name and address
   • Supervisor's name and phone number
   • Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
   • Hours per week
   • Salary, if applicable
4. Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses

College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

Next steps