Operations Research Analyst

Air Force Civilian Service; Edwards (CA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off: federal holidays and 13

Health Insurance

FERS retirement

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matching

Job summary

Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB seeks an Operations Research Analyst (NH-1515-03) to provide specialized ground, flight, and on-console instruction for experienced pilots, space operators, and engineers. Emphasis on the 48-week Master’s program, with rigorous academic content and curriculum development.

The role requires a Master’s degree, prior test & evaluation experience, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while coordinating instructors for each phase.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant subject area is required.
• Previous analyst experience in a test and evaluation organization is required.

Responsibilities

• Instruct students on flight/space test topics across curriculum phases.
• Evaluate student progress and provide feedback on exams, tests and reports.
• Develop curriculum and improve teaching methods for TPS courses.
• Coordinate instructors for each course phase (in-house or guest).
• Lead or assist teams in problem definition and project planning with data collection and analysis.

Skills

US Citizenship

Security clearance

Teaching/instructing experience

Multi-tasking ability

Education

Master's degree in relevant subject area

PhD in relevant subject area is highly desired

Job description

About the Air Force Test Center

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 and Space Force to protect our nation's interests in air, space, and cyberspace. This is more than a job; it's a calling to serve.

About the Role

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Operations Research Analyst (NH-1515-03) to work at the USAF Test Pilot School (USAF TPS) at Edwards AFB. The purpose of this position is to provide highly specialized ground, flight, and/or on-console instruction to experienced operational pilots, combat systems officers (rated navigators, electronic warfare officers, and weapon system operators), RPA pilots, space operators, and engineers in order to educate them on the theories, procedures, and techniques necessary to test and evaluate research, prototype, and production atmospheric and/or exo-atmospheric vehicles and their systems. Responsible for the academic content and rigor of all assigned courses as well as curriculum development in support of a 48-week Master's Degree program.

Location

Location: Edwards, CA (Edwards Air Force Base)

Salary

Typical 2026 salary range: $104,349 - $161,313 per year/per hour (includes locality) “If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position.”

Telework Information

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

Travel Requirements

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Direct Hire Authority

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 or may not be considered

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject area is required
• Previous analyst experience in a test & evaluation organization is required

Desired Skills

• PhD in relevant subject area is highly desired
• Experience in DoD acquisitions is desired
• Prior teaching/instructing experience is desired

Major Duties

• Instructs students on a variety of flight/space test and supporting topics throughout the curriculum, with the primary emphasis in the assigned Phase (Flight Sciences, Mission Systems, Test Foundations, Astronautical Sciences) or research focus area.
• Evaluates student progress and provides feedback on individual student events including academic exams, test plans, test cards, written reports, oral presentations, ground and inflight labs, and Phase practical exams as appropriate.
• Performs active role in curriculum development.
• Leads and/or assists in the development of new methods to enhance student learning and provide the students with tools similar to those available in current test programs.
• Works with Research Division or Educational Division Phase Technical Experts and appropriate Branch personnel to determine instructors (in-house or guest) for each specific course in respective Phase.
• Lead or assist student or staff test teams defining problems and developing and coordinating study/project plans through data collection, research, and investigation of objectives and relevant criteria.
• Ensures the techniques and methodologies used in the analysis process at TPS are timely and of the highest quality.
• Advices and recommends new techniques, innovations, and technical and scientific advancements which may serve as a means of overcoming issues

Qualifications/Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship
• 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.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain and “Top Secret” security clearance with eligibility for SCI and Special Access Programs
• This is a designated Drug Testing Position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
• Master’s degree in relevant subject area is required
• Previous analyst experience in a test and evaluation organization is required
• Physical Exam Required if 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 for non-ejection aircraft or obtain and maintain a certified AF Flying Class III IAW DAFMAN 48-123, Section 1.2.6 for ejection aircraft.
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulations, policies, guidelines, and procedures relating to USAF TPS and test operations at Edwards AFB.
• Knowledge of advanced concepts, theories, principles, practices, methods, and techniques of engineering flight and/or space test, including practical application of aerospace and/or electrical engineering theory, sufficient to analyze, evaluate, explain and demonstrate to others ground, flight, and/or space test theory and techniques on experimental, developmental, or operational aerospace systems; in-depth knowledge of quantitative techniques and methods used to develop, adapt, modify, and apply models to resolve problems or define and clarify alternative solutions.
• Knowledge of laboratory, ground, air vehicle, and/or space system test conduct including modeling & simulation, test & safety planning, risk mitigation, test technique determination, data analysis, report writing, and presentation methods.
• Skill at developing academic lesson plans and teaching in a classroom environment.
• Ability to multi-task, plan ahead, organize, and manage a fast-paced, multi-dimensional test project.
• 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.