Test Engineer (NH-0861-02T03)

Air Force Test Center; Edwards Air Force Base (CA); On-site; USD 47,490 - 161,313; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive

Job summary

Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, CA, seeks a Full-Time Test Engineer to lead test and evaluation efforts across programs. You will apply multidisciplinary engineering techniques to determine optimum test approaches and support weapon systems development and sustainment.

The position offers travel up to 25%, a competitive salary range listed in the posting, and potential recruitment incentives. U.S. citizenship and security clearance are required.

Qualifications

• 1 year of engineering experience in a flight test environment.
• Experience with Python and/or Matlab programming.

Responsibilities

• Performs a wide variety of professional engineering duties for test and evaluation in assigned programs/projects.
• Plans and executes a T&E program to efficiently acquire decision quality data.
• Ensures test data measures progress in systems and capability development.
• Assesses and compares test data with models, simulations, and mission requirements.

Skills

Flight test experience

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 Flight A (773 TS/ENFA) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as a professional engineer responsible for test engineering in assigned programs/projects. Employee applies multidisciplinary engineering techniques and management principles to determine optimum test approaches and procedures for achieving program test and evaluation objectives, and/or to determine operational or technical adequacy of item or system requirements or specifications. Duties performed support the acquisition, development or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.

Announcement Closes: 31 Aug 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.

POC Names & Emails: [e-mail] and reference PID# 26-146110037 in the subject line.

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