Aerospace Engineer

Air Force Civilian Service; Valparaiso (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Retirement (FERS)

Flexible work arrangements

Training & professional development

Job summary

The Air Force Test Center is seeking a full-time Aerospace Engineer (NH-0861-03) to support the 96 Test Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida. You will work on acquisition, development, or sustainment of aircraft weapon systems, interfacing aeronautics and space sciences through design to production.

This role requires a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, DAWIA eligibility, and Secret clearance. Travel up to 25% may be needed; situational telework is available as mission allows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering (ABET-accredited).
• Security clearance: ability to obtain/maintain Secret.
• DAWIA requirements: acquisition-specific development.
• Proven ability to analyze data and define technical objectives.

Responsibilities

• Support aircraft-store compatibility for multiple aircraft families.
• Assist with wind tunnel testing and flight test activities.
• Develop mass property data and weight & balance loading manuals.
• Write engineering rationales and technical reports.
• Develop software tools to improve SNC processes.

Skills

Air Vehicle Flight Dynamics

Wind tunnel testing

Flight test experience

Technical writing

Python coding

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

About the Air Force Test Center: 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! At 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-0861-03) to work at 96 Test Wing, Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office (96 SK/SKC) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In this position you will serve as a professional aerospace engineer in support of the acquisition, development, or sustainment of aircraft weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment. The position is responsible for work related to the integration of the aeronautics and astronautics sciences within the broad arena of aviation and space exploration and is accountable for engineering assignments concerning the integration of the aeronautics and astronautics sciences within the broad arena of aviation and space exploration. Establishes preliminary design and performance characteristics and engineering responsibility extends through development to final approval for production and service use.

Typical 2026 salary range: $89,508 - $138,370 per year based on experience (includes locality).

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.
• This position MAY be eligible for a Student Loan Repayment (SLR) incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Direct Hire Authority: NO 6-MONTH WAIT! 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

• 2 years of Air Vehicle Flight Dynamics
• 2 years of Wind tunnel testing experience
• 2 years flight test experience, technical writing skills, and Python coding

Major Duties

• Support the S&C work unit's tasks related to aircraft-store compatibility for the ACC, AFTC, Global Strike; F-15/F-16/F-35/B-21/B-1, etc.
• Support flight testing activities at Eglin AFB, Edwards AFB,
• Support aircraft-store wind tunnel testing (Arnold Engineering Development Center)
• Assist with the development of mass property data for USAF aircraft weight & balance loading manuals
• Liaison with S&C engineers representing aircraft and weapon manufacturing companies
• Attend weekly planning meetings with other AFSEO divisions
• Attend Test Planning Working Group (TPWG) meetings locally or at TDY locations
• Write engineering rationale/technical reports to support aircraft-store certification and flight testing
• Assist with the development of software tools to improve the S&C process

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.
• Security Clearance: (Required)Must be able to obtain and maintain and "Secret" security clearance
• Education Requirements: A bachelor’s degree (minimum) from an ABET accredited institution in Aerospace Engineering is required
• DAWIA Certification: This position is designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The employee will be required to meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. Employee is expected to meet Continuing Acquisition Education requirements.
• Top 5-6 job related KSAs: (Required) 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.
• Knowledge of professional aerospace engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development and execution.
• Knowledge of air-vehicles, ground systems, and support equipment sufficient to plan, design, test, troubleshoot, evaluate, and oversee the development and/or sustainment of aerospace vehicles and systems.
• Knowledge of other engineering disciplines and standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to analyze data and establish requirements for technical objectives and characteristics.
• 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.
• Ability to use computer applications in support of planning, designing, analysis, and reporting.

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.