Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior professional engineer responsible for test engineering activities in assigned programs/projects. Considered a technical expert for the organization in test engineering assignments; employee provides technical leadership and management in planning, analyzing, and reviewing test and evaluation efforts.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/30/2025 to 01/06/2026
Salary
$108,719 to - $141,337 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Nellis AFB, NV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
9H-AFPC-12858654-057212-EGR
Control number
853312600

Duties

Help

  • Performs a broad range of multidisciplinary professional engineering work to manage test and evaluation (T&E) efforts for assigned programs.
  • Develops metrics and interprets analysis and results to ascertain needed changes or modifications to test and evaluation programs.
  • Serves as a consultant and technical expert to senior subject matter specialists and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations.
  • Participates in planning conferences, prepares management reports, and conducts technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective action.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Advance in hire may be authorized if there is demonstrable proof provided on your resume
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution is highly desired.
  • Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
  • Must exhibit a high degree of judgment, resourcefulness, originality, and the ability to foresee the impact of changing technology.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Security Clearence. This position is designated Special-Sensitive and requires eligibility for access to (Continued)
  • Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs (SAP) to fully perform the duties and responsibilities (Continued)
  • of the position. A nondisclosure agreement must be signed. A favorable suitability determination is required before appointment.
  • This position has been designated by the Air Force as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Demand Reduction Program. (Continued)
  • Employees must pass initial and periodic short notice drug testing. Illegal drug use by employees in sensitive positions presents a clear threat to the mission of the Air Force, national security, and public safety.
  • This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). Incumbent must hold Defense Acquisition Workforce (Continued)
  • Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification (or be able to obtain) in Test and Evaluation, Practitioner level. Completion of recurring continuing education training is required to maintain certification.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions, General Engineering Series 0801.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure, Written Test, Specified Academic Courses, or Related Curriculum. Click here to view occupational requirements for this position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-12, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience which includes advanced multidisciplinary engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment sufficient to apply experimental theories, principles, and concepts to test and evaluation activities and management advisory services. Extensive knowledge of advanced concepts, principles, practices, methods, and techniques to provide expert judgment concerning programs/operations; resolve unique or novel problems, conditions, or issues; and significantly alter standard practices, processes, and known techniques used in test activities. In-depth knowledge of engineering standards and methods to formulate, execute, advise on, and explain recommendations or solutions to modify standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and techniques and resolve a wide variety of complex problems. Knowledge of advanced processes and practices to provide oversight and direction; to adapt precedents or existing strategies to meet unusual needs or special demands; and to prepare, present, and evaluate plans, designs, reports, and correspondence. Expert knowledge of the principles of test engineering to ensure system requirements, interfaces, capabilities, and program factors are considered in planning, monitoring, and reviewing tests and test results.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-12 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-13 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of a wide range of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced multidisciplinary engineering theories and concepts to test and evaluation activities and advisory services.

2. Knowledge of advanced system/item development testing and evaluation sufficient to apply experimental theories and/or new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of test activities.

3. Knowledge of the principles of system engineering and program management to ensure system requirements, interfaces, capabilities, and program factors are considered in planning, monitoring, and reviewing tests and test results.

4. Knowledge of security guidelines, safety issues, and relevant government and industry standards, regulations, practices, and procedures.

5. Skill in negotiating and/or defending test results, test program concepts, and in communicating clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing.

6. Ability to execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints; to gather, assemble, analyze facts, form conclusions, devise and recommend solutions to problems; and work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Additional information

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

For additional information on what to include in your resume, click here.

APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.