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Computer Scientist-Direct Hire Authority

Department of the Air Force
Air Force Materiel Command

Summary

Veteran's preference does not apply to DHA recruitment.

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information.

The primary purpose of this position is to apply technical work and professional engineering to modeling and simulation systems that support developmental and operational test and evaluation test programs.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/13/2026 to 06/03/2026
Salary
$91,427 - $141,337 per year
Pay scale & grade
NH 3
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Nellis AFB, NV
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
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
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
AFMC-155003-12959306-CNC
Control number
868883500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

Duties

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  • Serves as project engineer for development of aircraft flight simulators.
  • Conduct and report on simulator tests in the area of dynamic and static stability, performance, and flight control systems.
  • Prepare technical documentation of simulator development and operation which describes, in detail, mechanization techniques, new or unique software algorithms, operations procedures, configuration control; presents test results; draw conclusions and makes recommendations.
  • Perform technical and engineering work using classified information in various media and formats.
  • Develop, prioritize and report on organization performance goals and objectives.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guidance
  • This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • For more information on Acq Demo please go to DoD AcqDemo Homepage http://acqdemo.hci.mil/ and Fact Sheet http://acqdemo.hci.mil/faq.html
  • Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • This position may require drug testing and the candidate may be subject to passing a drug test upon selection.
  • Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
  • Shift work and emergency overtime may be required
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.
  • 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.
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary 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 an acquisition coded position. Selectee must complete required certification level 2-Practitioner in T-Test and Evaluation within 24 months of assignment.

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Computer Science Series.

Basic Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

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 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in other pay systems. Specialized experience includes professional competence in applying the theoretical foundations of computer science, including computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations; specialized knowledge of the design characteristics, limitations, and potential applications of systems having the ability to transform information, and of broad areas of applications of computing which have common structures, processes, and techniques; and knowledge of relevant mathematical and statistical sciences.. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Ideal Candidate:
Desired skills include:
  • Knowledge of programming languages, specifically C, C++, Golang, Lua, and/or ability to learn and use any similar language in a short amount of time (given the web as a learning resource). Security+ certificate a plus
  • Knowledge of parallel algorithms and race conditions, network programming with TCP/IP including examining routing tables, Big-O notation for the efficiency of algorithms, how the Linux kernel works and how to implement kernel drivers or modules, and any knowledge of combat aircraft platforms and capabilities, and experience with simulated environments
  • Ability to take on a project and push it to its conclusion when needing to interact with others.
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. Ability to program (various languages and protocols), integrate/manipulate models and generate computer networks for virtual live and constructive simulation of combat aircraft avionics, armament, or electronic warfare systems.
2. Knowledge of concepts, principles, and techniques across multiple interrelated and integrated technical and test engineering disciplines (combat aircraft avionics, armament, or electronic warfare systems or related systems/subsystems).
3. Knowledge of flight and laboratory air vehicle/missile test conduct, coordination and supervision, data analysis/evaluation and applicable flight test truth sources, modeling and simulation systems and techniques, technical report preparation, and administrative aspects of flight test programs.
4. Ability to plan and organize work, coordinate between various electronic/aerospace/mechanical engineering and test disciplines, and coordinate with other Air Force, DOD, and other domestic and foreign government agencies.
5. Ability to research, analyze, interpret and apply rules, regulations, and procedures to a variety of situations and to recommend timely and economical solutions.
6. Ability to maintain good working relations and to provide technical leadership and project management oversight as well as communicate effectively with a broad range of personnel both orally and in writing and to use modern computer software applications in support of communications and presentations.

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

ARE YOU USING YOUR 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

This public notice is to gather applications that may or may not result in selection.

This job announcement may close at any time - apply now!

This is an acquisition demonstration project position NH-03 equivalent to a GS-12 to GS-13.

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.

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.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The 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.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

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.

Air Force Materiel Command

The mission of the United States Air Force is: To fly, fight, and win ... Airpower anytime, anywhere. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: Developing Airmen, Technology-to-Warfighting and Integrating Operations. Core competencies and distinctive capabilities are based on a shared commitment to three core values -- integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.

Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide:

  • US Citizen

Agency contact information

Air Force Test Center Recruitment
Email
AFTC.Enterprise.Recruiting@us.af.mil
Address
AF Test Center
6437 6th Street
Bldg 430, Rm 119
Hill AFB, UT 84056
US

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