Test Engineer (NH-0861-02T03)

Air Force Test Center; Edwards Air Force Base (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive

Job summary

The Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, seeks a Full-Time Test Engineer to support flight sciences test and evaluation across multiple aircraft programs.

You will plan and execute T&E data collection, analyze results, and present findings with plots and reports while collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in a flight test environment.
• Ability to develop and implement new processes and methods for flight test and analysis.
• Proficiency with Python and/or Matlab programming.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional engineering duties for test and evaluation efforts.
• Plans and executes a T&E program to acquire decision-quality data.
• Ensures test data and information measure progress against requirements.
• Assesses and compares test data with modeling, simulations, and mission needs.
• Performs analyses and documents projects using disciplined approaches.
• Evaluates procedures to adopt innovative techniques and methods.
• Participates in planning conferences and prepares management reports.
• Maintains effective working relationships with team members.

Skills

Flight test engineering experience

Python/Matlab programming

Tools

Python

Matlab

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 Test Engineer (NH-0861-02T03) to work at the 412 Test Wing, 412 Test Engineering Group, 773 Test Squadron, Performance and Flying Quality Flights A & B (773 TS/ENFA/ENFB) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

The 773rd Test Squadron is the Air Force’s center of expertise for flight sciences test and evaluation, conducting leading edge developmental flight test to deliver high-quality data and analysis on new and modified aircraft. Test engineers in this squadron support one or more core technical disciplines, such as performance and flying qualities, aircraft structures, propulsion integration, aircraft subsystems, human systems integration, and reliability and maintainability. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a professional test engineer for assigned flight sciences or mission systems programs and projects supporting flight test and evaluation of new, modified, and sustained aircraft, subsystems, and support equipment fielded by the United States Air Force.

Announcement Closes: 10/10/2026.

Typical 2026 salary range: $47,490 - $161,313 per year (includes locality)

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel

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

Incentives:

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

Desired Skills:

• 1 year of engineering experience in a flight test environment. Comfort and adaptability in a dynamic control room environment.
• Eagerness to develop and implement new processes, techniques, and methodologies to advance flight test and analysis.
• Experience with Python and/or Matlab programming desired.

Major Duties:

• Performs a wide variety of professional engineering duties associated with administering test and evaluation (T&E) efforts for a specialized area within assigned projects/programs.
• Plans and executes duties to provide a T&E Program which efficiently acquires decision quality test item performance data.
• Ensures test data and information collected measures progress in systems and capability development.
• Assesses, evaluates, and compares test data and results with modeling and simulation results, system performance and mission requirements, test plan and objectives and presents the outcome in the form of plots, tables, and other graphic representation.
• Performs analysis and uses systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to implement, develop, and documents projects.
• Evaluates and recommends procedures of innovative techniques and methods to achieve goals.
• Participates in planning conferences, prepares management reports, and conducts technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective action.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with all associated personnel.

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 Security clearance
• This is a designated Drug Testing Position
• Ability to synthesize concepts, principles, and practices across technical and test engineering disciplines.
• Knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, materials, and equipment to effectively apply multidisciplinary engineering theories, procedures, and techniques to test and evaluation activities.
• Knowledge to perform the requirements planning, coordination, test direction, data collection, analysis, and reporting of results for a wide variety of test projects.
• Skill in planning and organizing test activities, analyzing test data to verify item/system meets established performance requirements, and in providing thorough and precise information to management.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

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