Chief Technical Director (Engineer)

Air Force Civilian Service; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PCS relocation funding

Telework eligibility

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service is seeking a senior leader to oversee test & evaluation for the 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron, providing expert guidance on space system assessments and program planning. You will coordinate with Delta 12, STARCOM, and USSF to advance policy and testing methodologies.

Required are engineering credentials, DoD/test program experience, and the ability to mentor a diverse team across remote and local locations. A Top-Secret/SCI eligible clearance is expected.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in a relevant field (ABET-accredited or equivalent).
• Experience with space system acquisition, test policy, and evaluation methodologies.
• Ability to lead and mentor staff, manage test activities and coordinate with multiple units.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and oversee test & evaluation activities for the 17th TES.
• Serve as technical liaison for Space Delta 12 and USSF with policy and program meetings.
• Provide test engineering expertise and guidance to commanders and staff.
• Brief test policy, direct test management, and oversee activities across locations.
• Develop evaluation measures, test scope, and resource requirements for systems under test.

Skills

Space systems engineering

Test & evaluation management

Policy & program planning

Leadership & mentoring

Stakeholder communication

Education

Engineering degree (ABET accredited)

Job description

PCS Funding/Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Yes, PCS funds may be paid Telework: YA002: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework" Closes: 20 October 2026 Locality pay not calculated in this posting. Mission: Space Delta 12 leads the integrated test and evaluation of USSF capabilities in order to rapidly field combat-credible weapon systems and tactics. Purpose of position: To exercise second level supervisory and managerial authorities over the civilian workforce in the Test and Evaluation organization for the 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron and also function as the Technical Director.

Duties

• Plans, organizes, and oversees the activities of test and evaluation for the 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron. Develops goals and objectives that integrate organization and test and evaluation objectives.
• Serves as technical liaison and a space test and evaluation subject matter expert for the 17 TES, Delta 12, STARCOM, and USSF through attendance at meetings, briefings, conferences and seminars related to policy development, test integration, program planning, advanced technologies and support system concepts.
• Provides broad professional space system acquisition and test and evaluation engineering expertise, advice and recommendations to the 17 TES Commander, Operations Officer; technical staff and test personnel.
• Guides and briefs test policy and provides test management and technical direction and oversight of test activities at the 17 TES and geographically separated detachments and operating locations to the test directors and test teams deployed worldwide.
• Structures test operations and assigned tasks, develops evaluation measures, determines appropriate Force Development Evaluation scope, develops scenarios and identifies required resources for systems under test. Knowledge and skills for the position:
• Expert professional engineering knowledge using unusual expertise as a nationally recognized test and evaluation manager with experience in planning, program formulation, and the discipline and system concepts relevant to the space system operational test program; expert professional engineering knowledge and experience in assessing and developing new testing policies, philosophies, and concepts for evaluating the effectiveness of DoD space and information operations capabilities; and expert professional knowledge of test and evaluation methodologies and practices including mission-level evaluation, test scope, cost planning, test design and conduct, applications of modeling and simulation, instrumentation, communication systems, data collection/reduction/analysis and test reporting.
• Knowledge of safety and security regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of an organization through subordinate supervisors.
• Ability to analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources and to mentor, motivate and work with supervisory and non-supervisory employees.
• Knowledge of policies, practices, regulations, and laws concerning space advanced technology testing and training initiatives to include safety and security regulations, practices and procedures; missions, roles, functions, organizational structures, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, and other organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence the scientific and technology acquisition process; and policies, practices, regulations and laws concerning the acquisition management process.
• Ability to demonstrate executive leadership and professional stature to participate in, advocate, and defend test program and policy decisions at the highest levels of USSF, higher headquarters, numerous other federal agencies, and private industry.
• Requirements for the position:
• U.S. citizenship
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret w/SCI clearance.
• This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions present a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety. It is required that you (a) refrain from the use of illegal drugs and (b) if requested, submit to urinalysis testing.
• Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; {d} thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.
• Must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• Prior experience in space systems operations and/or operational testing is highly desirable.
• Must exhibit a high degree of judgment, resourcefulness, originality and the ability to foresee the impact of changing technology upon the capability of testing space lift systems.