AFWERX Supervisory Branch Chiefs

Air Force Research Laboratory; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework opportunities

Job summary

Air Force Research Laboratory's AFWERX seeks senior leaders to shape strategy and drive mission success across Air Force and Space Force stakeholders, overseeing SBIR/STTR portfolios and transition pipelines.

In this high-impact role you will direct a multidisciplinary team of civilians, military, and contractors, formulate technology roadmaps, and align priorities with AFRL guidance.

This position offers telework opportunities and a pathway to influence acquisitions and innovation at scale.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret or Top Secret clearance.
• 1 year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (DR/DO-03/GS-14 or equivalent).
• OPM education standards apply for S&E fields.
• APDP designation may be listed; 60 months to meet requirements.
• May require Confidential Financial Disclosure and pre-employment drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute long-range branch strategies, roadmaps and metrics.
• Provide second-level supervision and workforce planning to multidisciplinary teams.
• Advise AFRL AFWERX on program governance across multi-million/billion portfolios.
• Guide acquisition strategies and rapid contracting to accelerate tech transition.
• Engage senior leaders across AFRL, MAJCOMs, the Air and Space Staff, industry and academia.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Program governance

Acquisition strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 PM EST, 8 November 2026.

Job Overview

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS

AFWERX is seeking senior-level (DO/DR-04/GS-15 & equivalent) dynamic, visionary leaders to shape organizational strategy, champion cutting-edge commercial technology integration, and drive mission success across diverse Air Force and Space Force stakeholders.

These Opportunities Are Open To The Following Career Fields

• Administration & Management (0301)
• Professional Engineering (0801)
• Acquisition & Program Management (1101)
• Mathematics & Statistics/Computer & Data Science (1501)

In this high-impact role, you will lead, direct, and oversee a multidisciplinary branch comprising civilian, military, and contractor professionals. You will orchestrate key facets of multi-billion-dollar DAF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) portfolios, transition pipelines, and capability acceleration initiatives.

Position duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Executive Direction & Strategic Vision: Formulate and execute long-range branch strategies, technological roadmaps, and measurable transition metrics aligned with AFWERX directorate priorities, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) guidance, and overarching Department of the Air Force defense imperatives.
• Leadership: Provide second-level supervision, mentoring, and administrative governance to first-level supervisors, team leads, and multidisciplinary personnel (civilian, military, and contractor), directing workforce planning, performance evaluations, and professional development in an agile culture.
• Portfolio & Program Governance: Serve as an operational authority advising AFWERX leadership on all aspects of program execution, balancing cost, schedule, performance, risk management, and technological rigor across multi-million and multi-billion-dollar investment portfolios.
• Acquisition & Investment Oversight: Guide the development of novel acquisition strategies, rapid contracting mechanisms, and financial execution pipelines to accelerate the transition of commercial tech into operational capability.
• Executive Stakeholder & Ecosystem Engagement: Serve as a principal AFWERX liaison to senior leadership across AFRL, MAJCOMs, the Air and Space Staffs, Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAEs), industry partners, venture capital, and academia to integrate innovation into formal programs of record.

Recruitment is open in the following duty locations:

• Austin, TX
• Cambridge City, MA
• Cleveland, OH
• Eglin AFB, FL
• Ellington Field, TX
• Fairchild AFB, WA
• Ft Sam Houston, TX
• Kirtland AFB, NM
• Los Angeles, CA
• MacDill AFB, FL
• Maxwell AFB, AL
• Pentagon, DC
• Pope AFB, NC
• Robins AFB, GA
• Rome Lab, NY
• Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

Workplace Flexibility & Remote Work Policy

• Situational telework may be authorized in accordance with local policy.

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizenship.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade of DR/DO-03/GS-14, or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience may include senior leadership in planning, directing, and executing large-scale technology development, portfolios, acquisition initiatives, or innovation programs through multidisciplinary teams.
• EDUCATION: Applicants applying under the Science & Engineering (S&E) fields must meet OPM positive education requirements found here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series
• Positions may be designated as acquisition positions, covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). Applicants must list all APDP certification(s) on their resume and will have 60 months to meet APDP requirements.
• Positions may be designated as financial disclosure positions. Incumbents may be required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) upon entering the position and annually thereafter.
• Positions may be designated as drug testing positions. Incumbents may be subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.

Desired Qualifications

Below are the required documents for this requisition.

• Resume (2-page limit, no photos, address, or Personally Identifiable Information (PII)). Candidates with resumes longer than 2-pages will not be considered.
• Transcripts (redact PII)
• Last SF-50 (if applicable) (redact PII)

To ensure your resume meets all federal standards, follow the official guidelines provided by the USAJobs Help Center at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit.pdf

Requisition Number 47925

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for telework opportunities; as determined by agency policy

Eligible for a Referral Bonus

No

Series

• 0301
• 0801
• 1101
• 1501

Posting End Date

11/08/2026