Lead General Engineer

Air Force Civilian Service; Layton (UT); On-site; USD 126,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Civilian Service seeks a Lead General Engineer at Hill Air Force Base near Layton, UT. You will oversee software engineering activities across multiple subsystems, align with the Chief of Software Office, and supervise a prime contractor’s software work for Sentinel programs.

The role requires strong leadership, advanced software/MBSE expertise, and the ability to obtain a Top-Secret clearance. Salary bands reflect GS-level compensation with locality pay for Hill AFB.

Qualifications

• Five+ years in software operations within a digital engineering environment and GS-13 level experience.
• Strong technical background in software architecture, real-time systems and multiple languages.
• Experience leading Agile teams and coordinating with stakeholders.
• Citizenship and ability to obtain Top-Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight of software engineering design, development, integration and testing for Sentinel weapon systems.
• Manage design, production, test and deployment supporting Sentinel software.
• Communicate strategic vision for software lifecycle development with stakeholders.
• Coordinate resources and commitments across internal and external teams.
• Apply modern development methodologies to organize the workforce for timely support.
• Establish and review policies, objectives and organizational structures.

Skills

Software architecture

Real-time systems

Programming languages

Agile leadership

Security principles

Education

Bachelor's degree (CS/engineering)

Master’s degree (PME preferred)

Tools

Cameo

SysML

UML

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.

OPENS: 3 SEPTEMBER 2026 CLOSES: 18 SEPTEMBER 2026

• IMPORTANT**
• AFNWC requires the 2-page resume format for our job announcements. 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
• Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience, education, and professional development is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors.
• The hiring manager will reject any illegible/unreadable resumes or resumes that do not comply with the 2-page limitation.
• Provide all academic degrees, professional military education and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.

Air Force Civilian Service is currently seeking a Lead General Engineer to work in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Sentinel Systems Division, Chief of Software Office, at Hill Air Force Base, near Layton, Utah.

This position (986879) may be filled as a NH-0801-04, General Engineer, a NH-0855-04 Electronics Engineer, or NH-1550-04 Computer Scientist. The basic salary range for these positions is $125,776 - $151,572 based on Value of Position (88), which includes Hill AFB (17.06%) locality pay.

• Value of Position: If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated Value of Position, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position. *Recruitment, Relocation, Retention, and Student Loan Incentives may be authorized.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Software Technical Lead, working for Sentinel’s Chief of Software (CoSW) office in an administrative hierarchy while overseeing operational activities in Sentinel’s Enterprise Software efforts. In doing so, this person is responsible to oversee Sentinel’s prime contractor’s software development activities across multiple subsystems and hardware platforms, oversee Sentinel’s Program Office’s internal software development for enterprise efforts, and serve as deputy to Enterprise Software Material Leader.

RANGE OF DUTIES

• Responsible for technical oversight software engineering design, development, integration, and testing of all Sentinel weapon systems and support software throughout the acquisition lifecycle.
• Manages design, development, production, test, and deployment activities in support of Sentinel software.
• Communicates strategic vision for software lifecycle development and management with appropriate stakeholders.
• Coordinates with numerous internal and external stakeholders to secure resources and cross-organizational commitments to further the Sentinel mission.
• Applies appropriate software development and production methodologies, to include cutting-edge initiatives, to organize the workforce for efficient, responsive, and timely support to program and warfighter.
• Establishes, revises, and reviews policies, procedures, mission objectives, and organizational structures to efficiently and effectively accomplish mission objectives.
• Identifies necessary changes in organizational priorities and take action to implement such changes.

SKILLS

• At least five years of relevant experience with day-to-day operations of software activities in a digital engineering environment is typically required, with at least one year of experience at the GS-13 equivalency.
• Must have a strong technical background and be able to grasp extremely challenging technical concepts in these areas (this list is not exhaustive): o Software architecture, design, test, and implementation. o Real-time systems and software design and development principles. o Breadth and depth of software language experience (e.g., C/C++, VHDL, Java, Fortran, Python, etc.). o Understanding of current cyber security design principles, tools, and implementation. o Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) practices and system architectural design (e.g., SysML, UML, etc.) and tool experience (e.g., Cameo, etc.). o Extensive experience working in and leading Agile teams.
• Strong leadership, supervision, employee mentorship, teamwork and communication skills to effectively interface with internal and external stakeholders at all levels as well as the independence, assertiveness, self-reliance, and tenacity to get the job done is desired.
• Experience working ACAT l programs with the understanding and knowledge to implement the government acquisition process as defined by the Defense Acquisition University is highly valued.
• Strong background in collateral, sensitive compartmented information, and special access program security program management is preferred.
• Understanding of Air Force and Department of Defense requirements related to nuclear standards is preferred.
• Master’s degree and grade-appropriate Professional Military Education desired but not required.
• U.S. CITIZENSHIP
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance and will be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, employee may be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• 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 Computer Scientist candidates must have a bachelor's or higher degree in computer science or a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. Computer Science, 1550, Individual Occupational Requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/
• 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.