General Engineer

Air Force Civilian Service; Tullahoma (TN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Tuition Assistance

Job summary

Air Force Test Center in Arnold AFB, Tennessee seeks an experienced General Engineer for Instrumentation, Data and Control Systems (ID&C) Asset Management. The role requires engineering leadership across asset condition, obsolescence, reliability, and modernization priorities to support AEDC missions.

You will guide TOS contractor activities, develop lifecycle sustainment plans, and ensure proper configuration documentation and test readiness for ID&C systems across multiple squadrons.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of engineering experience related to instrumentation, data, controls, or related electrical/computer engineering emphasis areas.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and drive technical success of projects.
• Strong background in instrumentation and data systems knowledge as used at Arnold AFB is highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the ID&C technical lead and asset manager, maintaining asset condition, readiness, obsolescence, reliability, and modernization priorities.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight of the TOS contractor for ID&C system maintenance, modification, and sustainment.
• Develop and prioritize lifecycle sustainment, repair, and upgrade requirements with engineering, maintenance, test operations, and customers.
• Establish and maintain technical baselines, system documentation, drawings, and configuration records for assets.
• Support test planning and execution by ensuring ID&C assets are configured, available, and capable of meeting test data needs.
• Identify technical risks and propose mitigation strategies and investment priorities to senior leadership.

Skills

Instrumentation and data systems

Team leadership

Electrical/computer engineering focus

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree (bachelor's)

Job description

About the Air Force Test Center: The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrow’s Air Force is tested! Long considered the “Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe”, AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history! Be the force behind the force. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to empower the U.S. Air Force to protect our nation's interests. This is more than a job; it's a calling to serve.

About the Role: The Air Force Test Center is looking for Three (3) Full-Time General Engineers - Instrumentation, Data and Control Systems (ID&C) Asset Managers (NH-801-03) to work at the Air Force Test Center, 804th Test Group, Test Support Squadron (AEDC/804 TSS) at Arnold AFB, in Tullahoma, TN. Successful candidates will be assigned as the technical asset manager for critical ID&C systems supporting one or more of the following key mission areas at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC): Hypersonics (715th Test Squadron), Flight (716th Test Squadron), Propulsion/Rockets (717th Test Squadron), or Space & Missiles (718th Test Squadron). The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior professional engineer with systems engineering responsibility in assigned area(s). Considered the technical expert for the organization in general engineering assignments concerning (Instrumentation, Data Systems, & Controls); employee provides technical leadership in planning, analyzing, and evaluating efforts used to define total weapons systems/subsystem requirements, translate requirements into design criteria, evaluate alternative design approaches, and develop system specifications. Work encompasses several phases of the development process in which the employee guides and evaluates the design and development activities of others.

Location: Arnold AFB, Tullahoma, TN

Typical 2026 salary range: $89,508 - $138,370 per year (includes locality)

Telework Information: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible

Incentives:

• This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.
• This position MAY be eligible for paid relocation. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.
• This position MAY be eligible for a Student Loan Repayment (SLR) incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Direct Hire Authority:

NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members. Must have requirements - Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise. - May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis. - 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.

Desired Skills:

• Three (3) plus years engineering experience related to instrumentation, data, controls, or other electrical/computer engineering emphasis area strongly desired
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams driving technical success of project efforts
• Strong background in instrumentation and data system knowledge utilized at Arnold, AFB is highly desired

Major Duties:

• Serve as the ID&C technical lead and asset manager, maintaining awareness of asset condition, operational readiness, obsolescence, reliability, and modernization priorities.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight of the Test Operation and Sustainment (TOS) contractor as it relates to ID&C system maintenance, modification, and sustainment.
• Develop and prioritize lifecycle sustainment, repair, and upgrade requirements in coordination with engineering, maintenance, test operations, and customer organizations.
• Establish and maintain technical baselines, system documentation, drawings, and configuration records for assigned assets.
• Support test planning and execution by ensuring ID&C assets are properly configured, available, and capable of meeting test-specific measurement and data requirements.
• Identify technical risks and capability gaps; recommend practical mitigation strategies and investment priorities to senior leadership.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship (Required)
• Obtain & maintain Security clearance
• Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
• Test and Evaluation DAWIA Certification
• Knowledge of a wide range of multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.
• Knowledge of development engineering methodologies sufficient to apply experimental theories and/or new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles of planning and program management; of standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and of other engineering disciplines used in support of sustainment, modification, and maintenance programs.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD STATEMENT: (Required) – For All Positions Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. (NOTE: Typically, the 1-year probationary period is for Competitive Jobs, and 2-year trail period is for Excepted Jobs.) 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.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:

• Paid Time Off: 11 Federal Holidays each year 13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)
• Paid Vacation Time: 13-26 days per year based on length of employment
• Health Insurance: No waiting period to qualify for you and your family
• Retirement: Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) Basic Benefits Plan
• Social Security: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching)
• Health & Wellness: Various Medical Flexible Spending Account Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance
• Work/Life Balance: Family and Medical Leave Act Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)
• Career Development: Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at https://simplebooklet.com/260902aftcbenefitstrifold

Federal Resume Tips:

Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length. Learn more about the new resume requirements at: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/ Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities: https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/

AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.