Rocket Test Division Chief Engineer

Air Force Research Laboratory; Rosamond (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligibility

Referral bonus

Job summary

Air Force Research Laboratory in California is seeking a Chief Engineer located at Edwards Air Force Base. The role requires US citizenship, a Secret clearance, and APDP Practitioner certification, with the option to achieve it within 60 months.

Expectations include strong systems engineering, leadership, and test program oversight. The position involves leading cross-disciplinary teams, coordinating TRBs, and shaping technical review processes.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Systems Engineering or a related field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• APDP certification at Practitioner level in Engineering & Technical Management (ETM), or obtain within 60 months.
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to DR-02/03 or GS-12/13/14 equivalents.

Responsibilities

• Apply Systems Engineering discipline during test facility buildup, sustainment, test planning, and execution with TEA approval.
• Chair Technical Review Boards (TRBs) or delegate duties to ensure technical rigor and identify risks.
• Develop a technical review process with the AFRL/RJ Test Lead to assess technical risk levels for each test activity.
• Chair Design Reviews and supervise the relevant sessions.
• Ensure programs employ necessary disciplines and resources to meet objectives safely and per guidance.
• Oversee post-test data analysis comparing empirical results to analytical models to validate performance.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of engineers across test, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and software disciplines.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Test planning

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Systems Engineering

Master's degree in related field (desired)

Job description

Job Overview

OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED US CITIZENS.

The Rocket Test Division seeks to hire someone to serve as Chief Engineer. This position will be filled at the DR-03/04 (GS-14/15 equivalent) level, and is located at Edwards Air Force Base.

Duties

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Apply Systems Engineering: Ensure that proper systems engineering discipline is applied during test facility buildup and sustainment, and test planning and execution, and that tests commence only with Test Execution Authority (TEA) approval.
• Chair Technical Review Boards (TRBs): Chair TRBs or delegate these duties. The TRB's purpose is to ensure technical rigor and identify potential risks.
• Develop Technical Review Processes: In coordination with the AFRL/RJ Test Lead, develop a technical review process to ensure that each test activity includes an assessment of its technical risk level.
• Chair Design Reviews: Serve as the chair for design reviews.
• Ensure Proper Resources and Disciplines: Make certain that programs employ the correct disciplines and resources necessary to achieve their technical objectives safely and in accordance with applicable guidance.
• Data & Performance Evaluation: Oversee post-test data analysis, comparing empirical test results to analytical models to validate test facility performance, structural margins, and thermal properties.
• Team Mentorship & Growth: Lead, mentor, and inspire a highly skilled team of test, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and software engineers, fostering a culture of rapid innovation, accountability, and technical excellence.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship.
• Possess a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Systems Engineering or a related field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Must be APDP certified at the Practitioner level in Engineering & Technical Management (ETM), or obtain certification within 60 months.
• To qualify, an applicant must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower broadbands (DR-02/03) or standard federal grade (GS-12/13/14 equivalents).

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Aerospace, Mechanical, Chemical, or Systems Engineering or a related field.
• 10 years of relevant experience
• Direct experience in rocket propulsion development and hardware testing
• Direct experience in a technical leadership or principal engineering role

Desired Qualifications

• Background/training in Systems Engineering
• Background/training in Risk Management
• Strong communication skills, exceptional ability to synthesize complex data into actionable insights for design teams and executive leadership
• Familiarity with industry and/or military standards for propulsion systems testing and facility safety protocols

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

Yes

Series

0801

Requisition Number 56383

Posting End Date

11/14/2026