Aerospace Engineer

Air Force Civilian Service; Edwards (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

Health Insurance

paid time off

Retirement benefits

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Air Force Test Center seeks a Full-Time Aerospace Engineer stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The role focuses on flight sciences test and evaluation for new and modified aircraft, requiring a professional engineering degree and eligibility for DAWIA certification. U.S.

Citizenship and a Top Secret clearance are required. Location offers a competitive salary range, situational telework, up to 25% travel, and federal benefits.

Qualifications

• Foundational knowledge in airframe structures, flutter, loads, and vibration analysis.
• Familiarity with MATLAB and Python for engineering calculations and data visualization.
• Analytical mindset with ability to troubleshoot and propose engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional engineering duties for test and evaluation efforts in flight-sciences.
• Develops test plans to evaluate system design and performance against requirements.
• Assesses test data vs. models and presents results using plots and tables.
• Identifies strengths/weaknesses to support readiness for operational testing.
• Plans and organizes tests and uses data-driven methods to document projects.

Skills

Airframe structures

MATLAB

Python

Test & evaluation

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

DAWIA certification

Job description

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrow’s Air Force is tested! Long considered the “Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe”, AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history! Air Force Civilian Service, we don’t just support the mission — we help shape the future of national defense through discovery, innovation, and unwavering dedication.

About the Role:

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Aerospace Engineer (NH-0861-02T03) to work at the 412th Test Wing, 412th Test Engineering Group, 773rd Test Squadron, Structures Flight (773 TS/ENFS) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The 773rd Test Squadron is the Air Force’s center of expertise for flight sciences test and evaluation, conducting leading edge developmental flight test to deliver high-quality data and analysis on new and modified aircraft. Test engineers in this squadron support one or more core technical disciplines, such as performance and flying qualities, aircraft structures, propulsion integration, aircraft subsystems, human systems integration, and reliability and maintainability. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a professional test engineer for assigned flight sciences or mission systems programs and projects supporting flight test and evaluation of new, modified, and sustained aircraft, subsystems, and support equipment fielded by the United States Air Force.

Location and Compensation:

Location: Edwards Air Force Base, CA Typical 2026 salary range: $47,490 - $161,313 (includes locality) “If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position.” Telework Information: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework" Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible.

Incentives:

• This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Direct Hire Authority:

Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

Desired Skills:

• Foundational academic knowledge, coursework, or an interest in airframe structures, including aircraft flutter, structural loads, and vibration analysis.
• Familiarity with programming and data analysis tools, specifically MATLAB and/or Python, to support engineering calculations and data visualization.
• Analytical mindset with an interest in troubleshooting, identifying technical issues, and proposing engineering solutions.

Major Duties:

• Performs a wide variety of professional engineering duties associated with administering test and evaluation (T&E) efforts for a specialized area within assigned projects/programs.
• Develops plans for conducting tests (or a series of tests) to evaluate system design and capability to meet established performance requirements, and coordinates the various phases of the test and evaluation process with other functional disciplines.
• Assesses, evaluates, and compares test data and results with modeling and simulation results, system performance and mission requirements, test plan objectives, and presents the outcome in the form of plots, tables, and other graphic representation.
• Identifies the strengths and weaknesses in meeting the warfighters documented needs based on evaluations, and provides data and analytic support to certify the system ready for operational testing.
• Performs analysis and uses systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to implement, develop, and document projects.
• Meets with key personnel to assess customer satisfaction, explain organizational policy and procedures, and resolve issues.

Qualifications/Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship (Required) PROBATIONARY PERIOD STATEMENT: (Required) – For All Positions Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. (NOTE: Typically, the 1-year probationary period is for Competitive Jobs, and 2-year trail period is for Excepted Jobs.)

Drug Testing: This is a designated Drug Testing Position.

Security Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a “Top Secret” security clearance.

Education Requirements:

Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution. Advanced degrees are preferred. DAWIA Certification: Must be able to obtain and maintain the required level of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification within 3 years of assigned duties.

• Knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, materials, and equipment to effectively apply multidisciplinary engineering theories, procedures, and techniques to test and evaluation activities.
• Knowledge to perform the requirements planning, coordination, test direction, data collection, analysis, and reporting of results for a wide variety of test projects.
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art in development of test techniques, procedures, and processes to provide credible and precise technical inputs during test and evaluation.
• Skill in planning and organizing test activities, analyzing test data to verify item/system meets established performance requirements, and in providing thorough and precise information to management.
• Ability to plan and organize test activities and use computer applications in support of planning, designing, analysis, and reporting.

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.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:

• Paid Time Off: 11 Federal Holidays each year 13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)
• Paid Vacation Time: 13-26 days per year based on length of employment
• Health Insurance: No waiting period to qualify for you and your family
• Retirement: Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Basic Benefits Plan
• Social Security: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching)
• Health & Wellness: Various Medical Flexible Spending Account Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance
• Work/Life Balance: Family and Medical Leave Act Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)
• Career Development: Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities
• Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at https://simplebooklet.com/260902aftcbenefitstrifold

Federal Resume Tips:

Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length. Learn more about the new resume requirements at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:

https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/

Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities: https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/

AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.