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ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN (AEROSPACE)

Department of the Air Force
United States Space Force Forces
CURRENT OPERATIONS OSC: DOO and DOOH

Summary

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

The primary purpose of this position is to operate, manage, and maintain assigned satellites and ground systems, providing continuous and reliable satellite communications in direct support of fleet, joint and inter-agency operations. 10 SOPS provides Narrowband Satellite Communications (SATCOM) via telemetry, tracking, and commanding (TT&C).

Overview

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Posted today · Apply by 07/01/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 1, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$63,351 - $99,650 per year

The NJ 03 pay band encompasses the GS 09 through 11 pay grades to include locality.

Pay scale & grade
NJ 3
Promotion potential
None
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
USSF-26-6F-385087-9C-KDB
Control number
873363400

Duties

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  • Provide satellite operations and ground station support in the areas of satellite command and control, network performance monitoring and configuration, telemetry monitoring and collection, alarms monitoring, first level troubleshooting, and mission planning/scheduling.
  • Supports and works with engineer professionals to ensure all design, processes, material, or
    operations considerations have been addressed. Administers comprehensive satellite operations and ground station control procedures and systems.
  • Provide government oversight to work performed by contractor personnel during assigned shift.

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
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position 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
  • Position may require an appropriate security clearance
  • Employee must maintain current certifications
  • Position may be subject to random drug testing
  • 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
  • Student Loan Repayment may be authorized
  • Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Relocation Incentive may be authorized for this position
  • Leave accrual may be authorized upon request
  • 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 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.
  • Selectee is expected to be granted with and/or maintain the appropriate security clearance required for the position.

Qualifications

Conditions of Employment Continued

  • Position is designated critical-sensitive and requires eligibility for access to Top Secret or "Q" level information. A non-disclosure agreement must be signed.
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • This is a Mission-Essential position performing a Mission-Critical-Function which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions.

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, Clerical and Administrative Support Positions

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NJ-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-08 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience must include performing satellite command and control operations and ground station support. Monitoring satellite telemetry and system performance. Extracting and compiling data from various automated systems.

OR
EDUCATION:
Successfully completed two full years of graduate education or a master's degree that it is directly related to the work of the position.
NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts with your application if using education as a substitution of specialized experience.

OR
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
Combination of successfully completed qualifying education and specialized experience that when combined equal 100% of the qualification requirements.
NOTE: You must submit copies of your transcripts with your application if using education as a substitution of specialized experience.

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. General and practical knowledge of engineering concepts, methods, principles, practices, and techniques;
practical knowledge of a wide range of satellite command and control systems, computer operations, and telemetry analysis.
2. Knowledge of a wide range of telecommunications theories, concepts, principles, practices, procedures, policies, standards and operational requirements; knowledge of performance characteristics of telecommunications equipment, systems, services, and transmission media to evaluate devices, proposals, and approaches.
3. Knowledge of basic electronics theory and operating principles, the application of existing and planned
technology to communications requirements, and equipment interoperability and compatibility.
4. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to identify, direct, or coordinate actions required in providing needed service.
5. Ability to analyze/apply specialized communication methods and analytical techniques involving
telecommunication systems (e.g., systems compatibility, circuits, switches, distribution, satellite linkages, and
networking).

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 is an acquisition demonstration project position NJ-03 equivalent to a GS-09 to GS-11.

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 most recent SF-50 noting position, grade, 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.

Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.

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 determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed 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 announcement.

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.

BASIS OF RATING: Your application will be rated under the Cut Point procedures based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements. Additional points are not added for Veteran's Preference; however, Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable.

Best Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements.
Fully Qualified Group: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements.
Basically Qualified Group: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements.

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.

United States Space Force Forces

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:
AREA OF CONSIDERATION AND WHO MAY APPLY

  • 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans
  • AF DCIPS Interchange
  • AF Internal Employee
  • DoD Transfer (Excluding Air Force)
  • EO 12721 Certain Former Overseas Employees
  • EO 13473 Appointment of Certain Military Spouses
  • Former Federal Employees (Reinstatement)
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Employee
  • Military Spouse Preference
  • National Service (Peace Corps and VISTA)
  • Non-AF DCIPS Interchange
  • Non-Appropriated Fund
  • Non-DoD Transfer
  • Other (Interchange Agreements)
  • People with Disabilities, Schedule A
  • PPP DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians
  • PPP DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • PPP Mil Res (MR) and Nat Guard (NG) Pref Eligible Technician Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction
  • Veterans Employment Opportunities Act
  • Veterans Recruitment Authority

Agency contact information

US Space Force Enterprise Talent Management
Email
HQ.USSF.TalentAcquisition@spaceforce.mil
Address
USSF - United States Space Force Forces
1670 Space Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

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