GENERAL ENGINEER TECHNICAL EXPERT (NH-0801-04)

Air Force Test Center; Edwards Air Force Base (CA); On-site; USD 147,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive

Relocation incentive

Job summary

The Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base seeks a General Engineer Technical Expert (NH-0801-04) to lead test & evaluation of air vehicles, missiles and avionics. You will work with multiple managers and contractors to ensure safety, effectiveness and training within the test program.

Requires a bachelor’s in engineering (ABET-accredited) and security clearances. Some travel and potential flying duties are involved; a rigorous APDP program may apply.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited bachelor’s degree in engineering is required.
• Top Secret and possibly SCI clearances may be required.
• This is a Drug Testing Position.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, provisioning, implementation and execution of test & evaluation for air force systems.
• Define training/evaluation requirements for TC/TD/FTE roles.
• Collaborate across organizations to implement best practices for training.

Skills

Testing & evaluation

Flight test operations

Test conductor/director

Training evaluation

Engineering leadership

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Job description

These listed job announcements are covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA), which are separate from the traditional recruitment job announcements found on USA Jobs.For more information on DHA, click the Air Force Civilian Serviceimage linkon the right side of the page (or scroll to the bottom of your mobile device) and click “Find a Job.” You can also click the USA Jobs image linkto view additional job announcements. For further assistance, please contact AFTC Enterprise Recruitment at [e-mail] .

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.

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time GENERAL ENGINEER TECHNICAL EXPERT (NH-0801-04) to work at the 412 Test Wing, 412 Operations Group, 452 Flight Test Squadron, 452 FLTS/DOOO at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

In this position you will provide technical expertise, provisioning, conduct, and evaluation of manned and unmanned air vehicles, missiles, hypersonic vehicles, avionics systems, and electronic warfare systems at both the integrated system and subsystem levels. The incumbent serves as the test force-level subject matter expert on flight test operations, test safety planning, test conduct, and develops and maintains the training/evaluation programs for same. The incumbent works directly with different levels of managers such as the chief engineer, test force director, deputy director, project managers, operations officer, contractor and government leads, branch chiefs, division chiefs, other AFTC organizations, DoD agencies, government agencies, foreign participants, and contractors.

Announcement Closes: 09/4/2026.

Typical 2026 salary range: $146,632 - $197,200 Per Year

Travel Requirements: 15%

Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department – wide (DoD)

Incentives:

• This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official

Desired Skills:

• 5 Years of experience performing Testing and Evaluation on UAS systems.
• 3 Years of experience performing test as a Test Conductor and/or Test Director
• 3 Years of experience training and evaluating the performance of Control Room Personnel.

Major Duties:

• Builds, leads, and advises diverse engineering teams in planning, provisioning, implementing, and executing test and evaluation (T&E) of Air Force systems.
• Defines training and evaluation requirements for operations engineer qualifications for test conductor (TC), test director (TD), and/or flight test engineer (FTE) roles within unit.
• Works across organizations to identify, develop, promote, and implement best practices for training.
• Has and maintains expert-level understanding of operational requirements of manned, unmanned, open air, installed vehicles, system integration laboratory, and/or hardware in-the-loop test of air vehicles and weapon system use cases in order to define test and evaluation requirements and effective test approaches.
• Has expert-level experience in flight test operations to include test conduct, test safety evaluations, airmanship, aircrew training/qualifications, and aircraft operations.
• Performs expert-level engineering and test operations/conduct for aircraft, airspace, range, space, and cyberspace disciplines to support the acquisition, testing and sustainment of Air Force systems.
• Develops and implements new concepts, criteria, and solutions pertaining to T&E execution. Provides expert operational and safety review and advice on evaluation and reporting of test results.
• Initiates and provides expert technical direction, management, and administration for assigned engineering programs and projects.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• 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
• Obtain & maintain Top Secret and possibly SCI security clearances as well as possible clearances with special access programs.
• This is a designated Drug Testing Position
• This position may require some flying as a flight test engineer. PHYSICAL EXAM RQUIRED WHEN DUTIES REQUIRE FLYING: Member must obtain and maintain a valid FAA Second Class Medical Certificate and abide by the rules and regulations documented in the FAR/AIM associated with the medical certificate or obtain and maintain a certified AF Flying Class III IAW AFI 11-402, para 1.5.1. and the Medical Standards Directory (MSD). Comply with AFI 48-123 and MSD for continued flying qualifications and requirements to see flight surgeon for DNIF/RTFS determination.
• This position has been designated as a Non-Critical Acquisition Position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The selectee must meet, or be capable of achieving the APDP certification as designated on the position description within the defined grace period for that certification level after assignment. This position also requires the employee to engage in acquisition continuous learning activities achieving 80 Continuous Learning points every 24 months.
• A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution is required.

ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC STRATEGIC HIRING GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED