Deputy Chief Engineer

Air Force Civilian Service; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 107,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service at Eglin Air Force Base near Fort Walton Beach, FL, seeks a Deputy Chief Engineer for the Nuclear Weapons Acquisition Division to lead engineering and technical functions across multiple IPTs, ensuring system integrity of the Weapon System baseline. This role requires a strong background in multi-disciplinary engineering and effective team leadership.

Responsibilities include guiding OT&E activities, coordinating with program management and contractors, and mentoring

Qualifications

• Citizenship and TS/SCI eligibility required.
• Engineering degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• DAWIA Engineer/Technical Management Practitioner certification within required timeframe.

Responsibilities

• Lead a technical team of engineers to achieve NDB priorities and manage daily responsibilities.
• Advise the Chief Engineer on reliability, manufacturing, integration, and system development.
• Perform multidisciplinary engineering work across electrical, mechanical, aerospace, software, and other disciplines.
• Coordinate engineering work with program management, logistics, and contracts; translate requirements into design criteria.
• Formulate recommendations to modify standard practices; evaluate design changes and performance.
• Mentor staff and direct contractor work; oversee OT&E activities.
• Perform other engineering duties and special projects as mission needs dictate.

Skills

People leadership

Effective communication

Mentoring

Nuclear weapons knowledge

System engineering

Education

Engineering degree

Advanced degree preferred (MS/PhD)

Job description

Come be a part of something big! Smart Minds, Cool Jobs, and Awesome Rewards! Fueled by innovation, talent and ambition, the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Nuclear Command, Nuclear Weapons Acquisition Division (AFNWC/NDB) is seeking a full‑time General Engineer 0009645601M as Deputy Chief Engineer for the Nuclear Weapons Acquisition Division, at Eglin Air Force Base near Fort Walton Beach, FL. Value of Position (VoP): NH-0801-04 (95) which has a typical 2026 salary range of $107,446 - $150,264 (basic salary without locality included). Locality for Rest of US area is 17.06% of basic salary. **If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated Value of Position, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position. This key engineering position is accountable to the Division Chief Engineer and will assist the leading engineering and technical functions within a division composed of military, government civilian, A&AS contractors and Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) personnel. Primary responsibilities include leading technical requirement verification and validation utilizing sound system engineering best practices. Additionally, this position will assist in the completion and testing of the full Weapon System’s technical baseline spanning multiple IPTs (including integration, software, air vehicle, manufacturing, testing, and performance), industry partners, and cross service organizations. The Deputy Chief Engineer will be responsible for assisting Engineering Functional Organize, Train and Equip (OT&E) activities within the branch to include recommending personnel actions, recruiting and staffing of engineering positions within the branch.

DUTIES:

• Supervise and lead a technical team of multi-disciplined engineers to achieve NDB priorities that include all aspects missile system development and verification, and task engineering team members daily responsibilities.
• Advise the Chief Engineer on technical matters of reliability, manufacturing, integration and system development, production, fielding, and sustainment of the LRSO weapon system.
• Performs multidisciplinary engineering work involving the application of electrical, electronics, mechanical, aerospace, human systems integration/human factors, reliability, availability and maintainability, system security engineering, cybersecurity engineering, cryptologic systems, system safety, configuration and data management, manufacturing and quality engineering, system sustainment, digital engineering, and other engineering disciplines to determine the technical baseline.
• Coordinates the various phases of engineering work with other functional disciplines (e.g., program management, logistics, finance, cost/pricing, contracts, etc.) and interprets/translates engineering requirements into design characteristics and criteria.
• Formulates and explains recommendations or solutions to modify standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and techniques.
• Evaluates performance with respect to program requirements, evaluates design changes to assess effects on performance.
• Guides and mentors assigned engineering staff, directs contractor engineering work, and responsible for branch OT&E functions.
• Incumbent performs other engineering related duties and special projects as assigned by the Division Chief Engineer as mission needs dictate.

SKILLS:

• Effective communication and organizational skills with demonstrated experience in leading diverse technical teams of experienced professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and mentor assigned personnel to include young professionals (new hires and recent college graduates).
• Strong background in nuclear weapon and/or systems acquisition, system and digital engineering principles, regulations, and policies is highly desired.
• At least eight years of relevant technical experience to perform this role is highly desired.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:

• U.S. Citizenship
• Must be TS/SCI eligible; this position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance. Active TS/SCI or TS clearance preferred. Please include current clearance level in your resume.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations.
• Engineering degree required. An advanced engineering degree, such as a Master’s or PhD is preferred. Electrical, electronics/RF/communications, computer, mechanical, software, or systems engineering degrees desired.
• Employee must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification category within required timeframe after appointment.
• This position is not eligible for remote work or regular and/or recurring telework.
• This position is subject to random drug testing.
• To qualify as an engineer, the employee must meet the education and specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on commercial (or military) aircraft. Travel requirements are not expected to exceed 25%.