Test Engineer (NH-0861-02T03) 773 TS/ENFR

Air Force Test Center; Edwards Air Force Base (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

The Air Force Test Center invites applications for a Full-Time Test Engineer at Edwards Air Force Base. The role supports the 412th Test Wing and reliability and maintainability flight, with travel up to 25% and a focus on test and evaluation planning and data analysis.

Requirements include a professional engineering degree, DAWIA within 3 years, and Top Secret clearance. DHA Hiring allows rapid onboarding and emphasizes cutting-edge flight test work.

Qualifications

• 0-3 years engineering experience preferred.
• Understanding of reliability and maintainability concepts.
• Basic understanding of systems engineering, probability & statistics, and test & evaluation.
• Ability to collect, organize, and analyze technical data to identify trends and support engineering recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Performs professional engineering duties for test and evaluation efforts within assigned projects.
• Plans and executes a T&E program to acquire decision-quality data.
• Ensures the T&E strategy aligns with the acquisition strategy to provide credible information for decisions.
• Applies engineering practices to anticipate project needs and manage a structured testing process.
• Works on complex design and engineering problems in development and testing of advanced systems or major modifications.
• Develops test plans and coordinates with other disciplines across project phases.

Skills

Engineering experience

R&M concepts

Systems engineering basics

Data analysis

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Advanced degree preferred

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.

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 412th Test Wing, 412th Test Engineering Group, 773rd Test Squadron, Reliability and Maintainability Flight (773 TS/ENFR) at Edwards Air Force Base.

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.

Announcement Closes: 10/19/2026

Typical 2026 salary range: $47,490 - $161,313 per year (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.”

Travel Requirements:

Up to 25% travel possible

Must have requirements or may not be considered:

• Information Assurance (IA) Certification may be a condition of employment. Per DoD 8570.01-M, the incumbent of position must attain the appropriate IA certification within six months of assignment of these duties.

Desired Skills:

• 0-3 years engineering experience
• Understanding of basic R&M concepts such as failure modes, reliability metrics, maintainability analysis, and life-cycle support
• Basic understanding of systems engineering, probability & statistics, and test & evaluation
• Ability to collect, organize, and analyze technical data to identify trends, assess system performance, and support engineering recommendation.

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 the T&E strategy is aligned with and supports the approved acquisition strategy, so that adequate, risk-reducing information is provided to support decisions.
• Utilizes diverse engineering practices and techniques to anticipate project needs, modify priorities, and administer a structured testing process.
• The work involves complex design and engineering problems encountered in development and test of state-of-the-art systems or major modifications of existing systems.
• Plans and carries out assignments for test and evaluation projects which entail a variety of complicating factors, interaction with other engineering specializations, and consideration of the lifecycle of items/systems.
• Studies and interprets requirements, specifications, and characteristics for the system to determine the specific factors to be considered, the type of tests to be conducted, and data to be obtained.
• Develops plans for conducting tests (or a series of tests) to evaluate system design and capability to meet established performance requirements, and coordinates the various phases of the test and evaluation process with other functional disciplines.
• Applies emerging technology and business practices to develop and implement a course of action; validates and directs resources required to meet cost, schedule, performance, and supportability criteria; and integrates logistics and/or acquisition functions to implement plans.

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.
• This is a designated Drug Testing Position.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a “Top Secret” security clearance.
• Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution. Advanced degrees are preferred.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required level of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification within 3 years of assigned duties.
• 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.
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art in development of test techniques, procedures, and processes to provide credible and precise technical inputs during test and evaluation.
• 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 plan and organize test activities and use computer applications in support of planning, designing, analysis, and reporting.
• 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.
• 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:

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:

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