Fuze Engineer

Air Force Research Laboratory; Valparaiso (FL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Research Laboratory in Florida seeks a Senior Engineer to lead advanced R&D in AI-enabled fuze and munition systems. The role focuses on integrating AI/ML, coordinating multiple engineering disciplines, and directing complex research programs with DoD and partner organizations.

The ideal candidate demonstrates capability in high-fidelity modeling, risk mitigation, and cross-branch collaboration to drive innovation while ensuring security and data integrity.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Secret security clearance (may be upgraded).
• 52 weeks of specialized experience at DR-II or equivalent grade.

Responsibilities

• Performs expert-level engineering across AI/ML integration, generative and agentic AI physics engines, and fuzing and initiation sciences to direct complex research projects.
• Coordinates cross-disciplinary engineering efforts across electronics, mechanical, systems, and aerospace domains.
• Defines research objectives for fuzing and initiation systems to enable near-real-time lethality.
• Leads collaborations with DoD, academia, and industry to advance weapon technologies.
• Promotes IP development and data control to support training of Agentic AI models.

Skills

AI/ML integration

Team leadership

Project coordination

Engineering expertise

Job description

Job Overview

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS, CURRENT AFRL EMPLOYEES, and CURRENT GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

AFRL Air Warfare Directorate seeks to hire a Senior Engineer (DR-08XX-03) in the Mission Effects Division, Energy Release & Initiation Branch, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The ideal candidate will have experience teaming with engineers, scientists, and contractors in conducting and supporting basic, exploratory, and advanced research and development in all areas related to munitions.

Position Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Performs expert-level engineering across AI/ML integration, generative and agentic AI physics engines, and fuzing and initiation sciences to direct complex research projects.
• Performs expert-level engineering across electronics, mechanical, systems, and aerospace disciplines to direct and coordinate complex research projects.
• Applies advanced engineering theories—such as shifting to reduced-complexity experimentation and high-fidelity physics modeling—to ensure alignment with Agentic AI model training, data generation requirements, and overall program objectives.
• Utilizes diverse engineering practices to address critical technical gaps in experimental capabilities, modeling, and computational infrastructure necessary for developing new weapon technologies.
• Defines research objectives independently for fuzing and initiation systems to enable near-real-time lethality.
• Demonstrates mastery in applying innovative, multidisciplinary techniques, specifically mitigating risks by effectively integrating AI/ML experts into traditional experimentation and design paradigms.
• Leads by coordinating cross-branch and division collaboration (to ensure unified program development across areas of research such as Hypersonics, Affordable Mass, and Advanced Concepts.
• Drives project success by cultivating and managing broad external collaborations with the DoD (DAF, USN, DARPA, Army), academic institutions, and international partners.
• Promotes a culture of IP development and protection, ensuring AFRL retains control of the essential data required to dominate the training of Agentic AI models and successfully transition on-demand technology development.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. This position could be upgraded to a higher required clearance, thus converting it to a drug testing designated position. The incumbent would then be subject to random testing.
• Must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the DR-II or equivalent grade level.
• Applicants must be able to meet the OPM Qualification Standards of the position being filled - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Group-Standards.

Desired Qualifications

• At least three years of technical experience with primary duties in weapon systems and subsystems research, development, demonstration, acquisition, and/or test and evaluation.
• Experience with MIL-STD 1316 and fuze development and fuze integration into munition systems and previous interaction with the fuze safety boards (NNMSB, FESWG, etc.) is highly desired.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a complex fuze or munition system design with competing sub-system requirements and technical disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a highly technical team to build consensus, seek alternative viewpoints from others, and identify and resolve conflicts/problems with the workforce.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate emerging technologies, tools, and methods (e.g. machine learning and artificial intelligence) intentionally for rapid fuze and munitions design and technology development.
• Experience identifying internal/external funding opportunities and successfully funding programs ranging from 6.1 – 6.4 technology development.
• Experience facilitating and enabling internal/external collaboration and partnerships for research and technology development.
• Experience maintaining and growing a portfolio of technical projects with different levels of technical maturity and the ability to accelerate technology development by leveraging the different technologies being tracked and matured.
• Experience critically thinking about strategic and/or leadership guidance to organize, train, and equip the workforce to meet mission objectives.
• Ability to define the technical vision of the team, grow and cultivate essential expertise and work with higher level technical leadership to integrate technology area vision.
• Experience interfacing/collaborating with or within the Department of War and Department of Energy (DOE) weapons research/acquisition community.
• Experience collaboration and facilitating joint technology development with Academic, DoD tri-service, DOE and Industry partnerships.
• Experience working classified research and development and/or acquisition programs.
• Excellent ability to oversee project management to include awareness of contracting, finance, and scheduling for program execution.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cultivate and sustain a professional environment of cooperation, cohesion, and teamwork in a complex, non-standard, and fast-paced environment.

Telework

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

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Series

• 0801
• 0830
• 0855

Additional Information

Requisition Number 73677

Posting End Date

08/27/2026