General Engineer

Air Force Civilian Service; Rosamond (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service seeks a Director of Research for the USAF Test Pilot School (TPS). This role provides world-class leadership for instructional systems design, curriculum development and execution in support of the 48-week Master’s Degree program.

The incumbent will lead faculty, manage research programs, and coordinate across engineering and test disciplines while maintaining Top Secret/SCI eligibility and DAWIA compliance.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in engineering is required.
• MS in Aero Engineering, Astro Engineering, Flight Test Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• PhD in related engineering fields is preferred; MS with military test school acceptable.
• DAWIA requirements apply; ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI clearance.
• Prior teaching and/or simulator experience is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the top research advisor and senior technical consultant to the Commandant and the Technical Director of the USAF TPS.
• Define, integrate, and implement research for the graduate program curriculum.
• Analyze syllabus training requirements and ensure TPS curriculum includes state-of-the-art test technology.
• Educate students on evaluation of aerospace vehicles/systems; conduct lectures, labs, and flight instruction.

Skills

Instructional systems design

Curriculum development

Flight test engineering

Data analysis

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

MS in Aero/Astro/Flight Test/Mechanical/Electrical engineering

PhD in Aero/Astro/Mechanical/Electrical engineering

Tools

Flight simulators

Laboratory equipment

Job description

PCS Funding/Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: PCS Funding Telework: YA002: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework” Closes: 20 October 2026 Mission: Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) exists to prepare combat-ready USSF forces to fight and win in a contested, degraded, and operationally-limited environment through the deliberate development, education and training of space professionals; development of space warfighting doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures; and the test and evaluation of USSF capabilities. Purpose of position: Serve as the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School's (TPS) nationally/internationally recognized Director of Research. Provides world-class leadership, expertise, and guidance throughout the organization feeding the areas of instructional systems design, curriculum development and execution, organization and staffing, resourcing, training operations and management, and student programming and administration in support of a 48-week Master's Degree program. Duties:

• Serves as the top research advisor and senior technical consultant to the Commandant and the Technical Director of the USAF TPS on current aerospace research.
• Defines, integrates, and implements research in service of a graduate-level educational program. Works with the Commandant, the Technical Director and the Dean of Faculty on the strategic vision for the curriculum and develops courses of action for all issues affecting the educational mission and research customers.
• Performs independent analysis of syllabus training requirements and leverages strategic vision to ensure the TPS curriculum includes state-of-the-art test technology and continues to advance new concepts in flight testing, space testing, test foundations education, test leadership education, test and safety planning, data collection and analysis, and reporting.
• As a technical subject matter expert, educates students on how to conduct evaluation of new or critically modified aerospace vehicles/systems; gathers, analyzes, and reports on data; identifies and characterizes deficiencies; and recommends corrective actions through teaching academic courses, leading simulator and/or laboratory sessions, and conducting control room and in-flight instruction. Knowledge and skills for the position:
• Advanced knowledge of professional instructional systems design principles, techniques, practices, and procedures. Must have the ability to lead student research teams.
• Expert professional knowledge of learning theory and psychology of learning including application of learning theories as it relates to systematic design, development, and validation of instructional programs.
• Expert knowledge of advanced technical concepts, principles, and techniques across multiple interrelated and integrated technical and test engineering disciplines.
• Expert knowledge, skill, and ability to conduct ground and live-flight research and instruction of technical theory, modeling and simulation, test planning, test conduct, coordination and supervision, data analysis and evaluation, technical reporting, and administrative aspects of test programs. This includes classroom lectures, simulator sessions, laboratory exercises, test briefings/debriefings, and airborne/live-fly instruction.
• Strong ability to plan and organize work, coordinate between various electronic/aerospace/mechanical engineering and test disciplines, and coordinate with Space Force, Air Force, DoW, and other domestic and foreign government agencies.
• Ability to flexibly adapt to changing requirements due to internal and external influences. Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy both orally and in writing.
• U.S. citizenship
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret w/SCI clearance.
• Employee needs to obtain and maintain approval to access the portfolio of Special Access Programs required to perform daily duties.
• 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.
• The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred. It is highly desirable for the incumbent to have an PhD in Aero Engineering, Astro Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other relevant technical degree. It is required to have an MS in Aero Engineering, Astro Engineering, Flight Test Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, or other closely related degree, and/or be a graduate of a military test pilot school. In addition, they need to have at least five years of flight or space test experience as a military or civilian space operator, test pilot, combat system operator, or test engineer. Fifteen years of test experience can be substituted for an advanced engineering degree. Prior teaching experience and/or simulator experience is highly desired. May be required to perform certain flying duties associated with the teaching of the various courses. This person will be required to complete appropriate training (egress, ground and water survival, etc.) and will be required to instruct and evaluate student pilots, combat system operators, and flight test engineers on testing prototype or substantially modified aircraft; or to instruct and evaluate student space operators and test engineers on testing prototype or substantially modified space-domain systems.
• Flight Physical Required: Flying duties, if assigned, require exposure to a dynamic and physically demanding flight environment. Incumbent must pass and maintain a Class 3 aviation Service Code (ASC) 9D flight physical (or higher as applicable to the incumbent’s flight qualifications) as directed by AFI 11-402 (paragraphs 1.52 and 2.12).
• The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. DNI Organization: Delta 12 Mission: Space Delta 12 leads the integrated test and evaluation of USSF capabilities in order to rapidly field combat-credible weapon systems and tactics. The United States Space Force (USSF), Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) is a military service that organizes, trains, and equips military members and civilians to protect U.S. and allied interests in space and provide space capabilities to the joint force. USSF responsibilities include developing Guardians, acquiring military space systems, maturing the military doctrine for space power, and organizing space forces to present to our Combatant Commands (CCMDs). The strategic importance of space can’t be overstated. Political and humanitarian interests as well as commercial concerns vital to the world economy all rely on space-based systems. Launched in 2019 as the nation’s sixth and newest military branch, the USSF was created to protect the interests and assets of America and its allies in this heavily contested realm. The Department of War relies on satellites and advanced space-based technology for secure communications, navigation, real-time reconnaissance, precision targeting on the battlefield, early warning of potential missile launches, and even weather forecasting. Guardians and civilians of the USSF are challenged every day to reach new heights in protecting and amplifying these space-based capabilities and defending our way of life by maintaining our edge in space. The Space Force wants to attract talent with the character and potential to excel, empower them with information and choices, and develop them in line with their desires and the Space Force’s needs to create a high-performing organization necessary to secure and defend space. Please review the new Guardian Ideal to learn more about the new talent culture within the new U.S. Space Force, as we have a chance to make history and rewrite some of the rules—we hope you are excited about the opportunities this will present!