Aerospace Engineer (NH-0861-02T03) 773 TS/ENFS

Air Force Test Center; Edwards Air Force Base (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

The Air Force Test Center is seeking a professional Aerospace Engineer (NH-0861-02T03) to work at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. The 773rd Test Squadron (773 TS/ENFS) conducts flight sciences test and evaluation for new or modified aircraft.

Typical duties include planning tests, analyzing results, and coordinating with disciplines to meet performance requirements. Bachelor's in engineering (ABET) is required; Top Secret clearance and DAWIA certification within 3 years are required or pursued.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering bachelor's degree required.
• Top Secret clearance ability and suitability.
• DAWIA certification within 3 years of duties.
• Experience in test and evaluation (T&E) planning and execution.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional engineering duties for flight sciences T&E programs.
• Develops test plans to evaluate system design against performance requirements.
• Assesses data versus models, presents results via plots and tables.
• Identifies strengths/weaknesses to certify readiness for operational testing.
• Plans, coordinates, and reports test activities with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Analytical mindset

Programming basics

MATLAB

Python

Data analysis

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Job description

These listed job announcements are covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA), which are separate from the traditional recruitment job announcements found on USA Jobs.For more information on DHA, click the Air Force Civilian Serviceimage linkon the right side of the page (or scroll to the bottom of your mobile device) and click “Find a Job.” You can also click the USA Jobs image linkto view additional job announcements. For further assistance, please contact AFTC Enterprise Recruitment at [e-mail] .

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.

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.

Announcement Closes: 10/16/2026

Typical 2026 salary range: 47,490 - $161,313 per year (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.”

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible

Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department – wide (DoD)

Incentives:

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

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:

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.

This is a designated Drug Testing Position.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a “Top Secret” security clearance.
Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution. Advanced degrees are preferred.
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.

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:

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

ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC STRATEGIC HIRING GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED