Wargaming & Simulation Section Chief

Air Force Research Laboratory; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland AFB, NM seeks a Section Chief to lead WMS&A and drive modeling, simulation, and analytic efforts for DoD programs. The role requires integrating engineering disciplines, managing personnel, and coordinating with AFRL leadership.

The position demands an engineering degree, DoD acquisition experience, and the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance, with situational telework permitted as policy allows. U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI clearance.
• ABET-accredited engineering degree required.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and program direction for the section in alignment with Branch, Division, and Directorate mission.
• Fulfill supervisory responsibilities for 8 government civilian and military personnel in concurrence with Lab Demo and Military guidelines.
• Utilize engineering knowledge to lead research areas and participate in technical and financial reviews for RF leadership when required.
• Tracks and manages all cost, schedule, and technical progress for the studies performed.
• Oversee Weapons Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (WMS&A) and present information to leadership.

Skills

Wargaming leadership

Modeling & Simulation

Program management

Security clearance TS/SCI

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

WMS&A tools

Job description

Job Overview

OPEN TO CURRENT FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ONLY. This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 PM MDT, 20 October 2026.

The Information and Spectrum Warfare Directorate, Wargaming and Simulation Section, seeks to hire a Wargaming and Simulation Section Chief, DR-03 (GS-14 or equivalent), at Kirtland AFB, NM. The section chief position leads and manages the day-to-day activities of the section while applying engineering knowledge to perform wargaming, analytic & computational analysis using Modeling & Simulation and Military Utility Assessments for the Section, as part of the Wargaming, Integration Test, & Simulation (WITS) Branch under the Mission Support Division for the Information and Spectrum Warfare Directorate at the Air Force Research Laboratories.

Position Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Provide supervision and program direction for the section in alignment with Branch, Division, and Directorate mission.
• Fulfill supervisory responsibilities for 8 government civilian and military personnel in concurrence with Lab Demo and Military guidelines.
• Utilize engineering knowledge to lead the research areas and participate in preparation and presentation of technical and financial reviews on various programs to RF leadership when required.
• Tracks and manages all cost, schedule, and technical progress for the studies performed.
• Works with the Technical Division representatives, and the Capability Development and Integration Research Area Leads to providing MS&A of systems studied.
• Oversee Weapons Modeling, Simulation, & Analysis (WMS&A) and presents information to Branch, Division, & Directorate leadership, as well as, AFRL/USAF senior leaders when appropriate.
• Represents the Directorate in Air Force-wide Wargaming Events. Maintains awareness of technical work across AFRL and external organizations relevant to WMS&A.
• Participates in professional societies and establishes and maintains networks both within and outside the Air Force.
• Keeps abreast of government, industry and international developments within fields of expertise and relevant fields.
• Promotes a culture where Intellectual Property (IP) is developed, documented, protected, and rewarded. Reviews technical publications as part of the technical publication review process.
• Utilizes scientific/engineering knowledge to assist in IP transfer, transition, or commercialization.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise, the employee must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI Security Clearance.
• Situational Telework may be authorized. Remote work is not authorized.
• Random drug testing may be required depending upon the position being filled.
• Promotion potential may be authorized depending upon the position being filled.
• The employee may be required to work overtime.
• PCS expenses, if authorized, will be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations. More information on PCS benefits/requirements may be found at the following link: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/.
• The employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA).
• This is an APDP position requiring Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management
• A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline is required and must be obtained from an ABET accredited institution recognized by the Office of Personnel Management https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/general-engineering-series-0801/. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working in diverse DoD acquisition focused groups or teams.
• An advanced degree in STEM is preferred.
• Resume must demonstrate experience with early DoD acquisition life-cycle efforts such as SBIR, & STTR efforts
• Resume must demonstrate the ability analyze technical data to identify trends and draw conclusions.
• At least 1 year of specialized experience at the DR-02 (GS-12/13 or equivalent) grade level for basic qualification, but additional years is preferred.
• Experience with USAF Wargaming, Modeling & Simulation is preferred.

Telework

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

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Series

0801

1515

Additional Information

Resume requirement: Resume may not exceed two pages, and font size should be no smaller than 10pts.

Requisition Number 49816

Posting End Date

10/20/2026