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Space Force Responsible Engineer, 5 SLS

Department of the Air Force
Space Systems Command
United States Space Force / Space Systems Command / 5th Space Launch Squadron

Summary

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Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
01/15/2026 to 01/22/2026
Salary
$90,173 to - $139,398 per year

Salary is dependent upon duty location, grade, step and locality pay. Equivalent to GS-12/13.

Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Cape Canaveral AFS, FL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
SF-FY26-6S-NH-0801-3-SPLASH
Control number
854707900

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Duties

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The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL is searching for a Responsible Engineer for the 5 SLS (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent).

Description:
This Cape Canaveral engineering position is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead National Security Space Launch mission assurance for the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles at the world's premier spaceport. As a Space Force Responsible Engineer, you will assess and mitigate risk, review and manage the baseline of your hardware, monitor assigned launch vehicle hardware status and anomalies/resolution to provide Go/No-Go status on Day of Launch, serve as the subject matter expert for your assigned systems, and lead a mission assurance team. You will support launches on-console and get up-close and personal with oversight of launch hardware and contractor operations. You will support delivering cutting edge systems and capabilities to orbit that protect our National Security, enable our warfighters, and improve our way of life.

Ideal Candidate:
o Relevant experience working with launch vehicle systems, with a strong preference for experience with launch vehicle systems manufacturing, final assembly, test, and launch operations.
o A comprehensive understanding of systems engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical structures, and fluid mechanics associated with launch vehicles.
o Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles and analytical techniques to effectively solve complex problems encountered during launch vehicle manufacturing and processing.
o Proven ability to function as a self-starter, encourage innovation, manage information strategically, and build collaborative relationships within a dynamic team environment.
o Outstanding recent graduates with exceptional academic records and relevant internship experience may be considered for a developmental position.


Key Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of a broad range of multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, methods, standards, and practices associated with spacecraft, launch vehicle systems, equipment and facilities.
2. Knowledge of development, operations, test and evaluation of spacecraft and launch vehicle systems, subsystems and processing facilities.
3. Ability to analyze problems, conduct research, interpret data, and apply risk management, engineering techniques, regulations and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend a timely and economical solutions.
4. Knowledge of policies, processes, procedures, regulations and contracts governing processes for commercial, national, and DoD spacecraft and launch vehicle systems programs, program planning and budgeting cycles, financial control and budget systems, and program management.
5. Knowledge of health, safety, and environmental requirements as outlines in applicable standards, regulations, laws and/or technical orders.
6. Ability to encourage new ideas and innovations; manage human, financial and information resources strategically and build coalitions to achieve common goals.
7. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, and other agencies.



Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S Citizen.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
  • Safeguards classified or sensitive budget-related information and/or files.
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
  • This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
  • Employee may be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
  • PCS / Incentive funding is not authorized.
  • The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): 15 days a year.
  • Must be able to climb and descend stairs (as many as 12 flights), climb ladders, enter restrictive launch vehicle compartments and work platforms
  • Work may require prolonged standing, exposure to the outside elements, and in the immediate vicinity of hazardous areas.
  • This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
  • A bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program is required. An advanced technical background with a focus on launch vehicle systems is highly desirable.

Qualifications

The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

Additional information

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.

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.

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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

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