General Engineer

Air Force Civilian Service; Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service seeks a General Engineer at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center in Albuquerque, NM, to lead modernization of security and weapon lifecycle activities. The role involves coordinating with DoD and NATO partners to refine requirements and supervise design and testing efforts.

You will oversee engineering across disciplines and advise leadership on capabilities, with occasional telework and access to classified systems as required.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Bachelor’s degree from ABET-accredited institution; professional engineering qualifications per 0800 standards.
• DAWIA requried; Engineering/Technical Management Practitioner certification within required timeframe.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance; security clearances required for work with classified information.
• Travel up to 25% may be required; probationary period applies for new hires.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization and development of security, storage, and access control capabilities for US nuclear weapons deployed overseas.
• Collaborate with DoD contractors, NNSA, SNL, USAFE, EUCOM, and NATO allies to refine requirements and oversee design, documentation, testing and validation.
• Provide technical oversight on development, design, production, fielding, and sustaining engineering efforts.
• Advise senior leadership on current and future capabilities activities.

Skills

Multidisciplinary engineering

DoD cybersecurity

Program management

Leadership & communication

NIST/DoD cybersecurity requirements

Education

ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree desired

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.

OPEN: 21 August 2026 CLOSE: 14 September 2026

• IMPORTANT**
• AFNWC is enforcing the 2-page resume format. Please access this link to learn more about what to include in your resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
• If you submit a resume that is more than 2 pages, you may receive an error message. Please submit no more than a 2-page resume to be considered.
• Provide all academic degrees, professional military education, and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.
• Method of selection: Resumes will be reviewed for experience/skills, and you will be contacted if selected for an interview.

The Air Force Civilian Service is seeking a full-time General Engineer 09771351M to work in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), NATO Strike Support Division (NDW) of the Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM.

Value of Position (VoP): NH-0801-03 (81) which has a typical 2026 salary range of $76,463– $112,690 (basic salary without locality included). Locality for Albuquerque-Santa Fe area is 18.33% of basic salary.

• If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the VOP range, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position.

This position serves as a Systems Engineer within the NATO Strike Support Division, responsible for the USAF’s roles for Joint Nuclear Weapon Lifecycle activities for the air-delivered components of the United States’ nuclear triad.

This position is eligible for situational telework but regular access to classified systems is required.

DUTIES:

• Lead activities associated with modernizing existing security, storage, and/or access control capabilities as well as developing new capabilities to safeguard all United States nuclear weapons deployed overseas.
• Collaborate with DoD contractors, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), USAFE, EUCOM, and NATO allies to refine requirements and documentation, oversee design efforts and documentation, trace and validate requirements are met, system performance assessment, evaluation and test activities to include emerging simulation and digital engineering methodologies.
• Provide technical oversight on development, design, production, fielding, and support sustaining engineering and surveillance efforts.
• Duties culminate in the ability to advise senior leadership on-going and future capabilities activities.

SKILLS:

• Comprehensive knowledge of multidisciplinary engineering principles, standards, and techniques across structures, electronics, software, and mechanical systems.
• Experience with development, sustainment engineering, and continuous process improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of NIST and DoD cybersecurity requirements.
• Proficiency in logistics and program management, including the ability to set program goals, objectives, and completion strategies.
• Expertise in tracking program status, analyzing statistical data, and preparing quality reports to guide strategic improvements.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including personnel from the Departments of Energy and Defense, Air Force staff, and field-level users.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making abilities within a team environment.
• Experience with DoD and Air Force acquisition policy and planning is preferred.
• Knowledge of aging weapon systems and Nuclear Safety Certification Procedures is preferred.
• Experience with weapon system programs and the ability to interpret nuclear weapon and enterprise policies is preferred.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:

• U.S. Citizenship
• A professional technical degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET-accredited institution. Technical master’s degree is desired.
• Engineer candidates must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) All Professional Engineering Positions, 0800, Individual Occupational Requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
• Employees must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification category within required timeframe after appointment.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise; employee must obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on commercial (or military) aircraft. Travel requirements are not expected to exceed 25%, depending on the phase of program to which the candidate is assigned.
• One-year probationary period is attached to this position unless you are a current Air Force civilian with more than one year or are eligible for a Probationary Period Credit which includes the following: Prior Federal civilian service (including non-appropriated fund service) will only count toward your probationary or trial period if it was served within the same agency (e.g., Air Force), were in the same line of work (based on actual duties), and contains no more than a single break in service that does not exceed 30 calendar days. !