ELECTRONICS ENGINEER

AF Force Renewal (DAF); San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 79,737 - 120,604; Full time

Job summary

AF Force Renewal at Lackland AFB, TX seeks Palace Acquire Interns to complete a 3-year formal training plan, with yearly salary increases and opportunities for promotion upon demonstrated performance.

The program offers a permanent position upon completion, with salaries ranging from $79,737 to $120,604 per year and a GG-7 to GG-9 level. A security clearance is required, and occasional travel may be expected. This is a full-time, internship appointment with no remote work option.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree in a relevant field (ABET-accredited).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, team-based environment.

Responsibilities

• Performs developmental electronic engineering tasks under supervision.
• Conducts research and contributes to project teams with guidance from senior engineers.

Education

Engineering ABET-accredited degree

Job description

The PALACE Acquire Program offers you a permanent position upon completion of your formal training plan. As a Palace Acquire Intern you will experience both personal and professional growth while dealing effectively and ethically with change, complexity, and problem solving. The program offers a 3-year formal training plan with yearly salary increases. Promotions and salary increases are based upon your successful performance and supervisory approval.

Overview

Open & closing dates 09/29/2025 to 09/28/2026

$79,737 to – $120,604 per year

Salary: GG 7 – 9

Location Lackland AFB, TX

No remote job

No telework eligible

Occasional travel – You may be expected to travel for this position.

No relocation expenses reimbursed

Appointment type Internships

Full-time

Excepted service

Promotion potential 12

Job family (Series) 0855 Electronics Engineering

No supervisory status

Security clearance Sensitive Compartmented Information

Drug test Yes

Position sensitivity and risk Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk

Suitability/Fitness

Financial disclosure No

Bargaining unit status No

Announcement number K-26-DHA-12806322-BJM

Control number 846773700

This job is open to

Help

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Recent graduates

Individuals who have graduated from an accredited educational institute or certificate program within the last 2 years or 6 years for Veterans.

Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in a referral or selection.

Duties

GG-07:

1. Performs developmental work assignments. Follows instructions given by the supervisor or a higher graded electronic engineer to perform a variety of specific duties designed to develop knowledge and skill in applying engineering principles, methods, and techniques.
2. Performs recurring work assignments: Performs a variety of routine duties designed to develop knowledge and skill in electronics engineering and system evaluation methods and techniques in support of systems acquisition and maintenance.
3. Conducts research as directed to assist project teams providing technical guidance, advisory support, and assistance on an entire project and/or major phases for broad and varied operations.
4. Drafts written correspondence and other documentation in support of meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to cryptographic products and systems support.
5. Accomplishes professional development through self-study, on-the-job training, and through professional interaction with senior engineers within the organization.

GG-09:

1. Performs developmental assignments of moderate difficulty designed to develop knowledge and skill in applying electronics engineering principles, methods and techniques.
2. Independently performs a variety of routine duties designed to develop knowledge and skill in electronic engineering and system evaluation methods and techniques in support of systems acquisition and maintenance.
3. Participates in project teams providing technical guidance, advisory support, and assistance on an entire project and/or major phases for broad and varied operations.
4. Prepares written correspondence and other documentation in support of meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to cryptographic products and systems support.
5. Accomplishes professional development through self-study, on-the-job training, through professional interaction with senior engineers within the organization, and interaction with technical and professional societies, and academia.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Please read this Public Notice in its entirety prior to submitting your application for consideration.
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• PCS expenses if authorized will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Position may be subject to random drug testing
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service. For additional information, click here.
• This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Position may require an appropriate security clearance.
• Mobility – you may be required to relocate during or after completion of your training
• Minimum GPA of 2.95 on a 4.0 grading scale
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• You will be required to serve a two-year probationary period

Qualifications

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENT: 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.

You may qualify if you meet one of the following:

1. GS-7: You must have completed or will complete a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s from an accredited institution AND must have documented Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) at the undergraduate level in the following: a) Grade Point Average 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum.
2. ++GS-9++: You must have completed 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree: a) Grade Point Average – 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on your official transcript or as computed based on 4 years of education or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of curriculum; OR 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in your major field or the required courses in your major field completed during the final 2 years of your curriculum. If more than 10 percent of total undergraduate credit hours are non-graded, i.e. pass/fail, CLEP, CCAF, DANTES, military credit, etc. you cannot qualify based on GPA.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Professional knowledge of engineering, mathematics, statistical analysis, modeling/simulation, and/or other scientific concepts, principles, standards, methods, techniques, practices, and procedures.
2. Knowledge and understanding of agency, AF, Department of Defense (DoD) and national-level doctrine, regulations, policies, guidelines, requirements, and initiatives related to assigned program(s) and/or project(s).
3. Knowledge of security procedures to maintain control of classified material.
4. Skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to identify, investigate, resolve complex issues or problems, and modify standard practices and techniques to solve complex interrelated problems.
5. Skill, judgment, resourcefulness, originality, and ability to foresee the impact of changing technology.
6. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to produce highly technical reports, position papers, and briefings; resolve conflicts based on mature judgment and experience; effectively negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE:

Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE:

Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 – the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017” suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

For DHA Positions: These positions are being filled under Direct-Hire Authority for the DoD for Post-Secondary Students and Recent Graduates. The Secretary of the Air Force has delegated authority by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to directly appoint qualified students and recent graduates directly into competitive service positions; positions may be professional or administrative occupations and located Air Force-Wide. Positions may be filled as permanent/term with a full-time/part-time work schedule. Pay will vary by geographic location.

*** The term “Current post-secondary student” means a person who is currently enrolled and in good academic standing at a full-time program at an institution of higher education; and is progressing toward a baccalaureate or graduate degree; and has completed at least 1 year of the program.

*** The term “recent graduate” means a person awarded a degree by an institution of higher education not more than 2 years before the date of the appointment of such person, except in the case of a person who has completed a period of obligated service in a uniform service of more than 4 years.

Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of “not qualified” or “insufficient information” and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Required documents

Required Documents

1. Online Application – Questionnaire
2. Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under “How To Apply”.
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
4. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran – Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form.

ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a “certification” memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member’s military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:

• Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member
• Branch of Armed Forces
• Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s))
• Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
• Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
• Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
• Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
• Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander.

Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center

1-800-525-0102

[e-mail]

AF Force Renewal

550 C Street W

JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150

US

Next steps

After you submit your application, you will be contacted if further evaluation or interviews are required.

Your application will remain active through the open period of this Public Notice. Once this Public Notice closes, you must reapply.

Fair and transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Financial suitability New employee probationary period Privacy Act Reasonable accommodation policy Selective Service Signature and false statements Social security number request