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LEAD ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

Department of the Army
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command
Ground Combat Systems Dir Ammunition & Armaments Management Div. YUMA Proving Ground

Summary

About the Position: This position is located at the US ARMY YUMA PROVING GROUND COMBAT SYSTEMS DIR AMMUNITION & ARMAMENTS MANAGEMENT DIV. with a duty location of YUMA PROVING GROUND / YUMA / ARIZONA. Serves as the Lead Engineering Technician GS -0802-12. (merit)

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply in 1 day
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 16, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$89,508 - $116,362 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
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
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Secret
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
SDSE-26-13002159-MP
Control number
875994400

Duties

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  • Distributes and balances workload among team members to ensure testing deadlines are met.
  • Monitors and reports on the status of ongoing tests to the supervisor.
  • Trains and coaches junior technicians on complex test setups and safety procedures.
  • Sets up, operates, and troubleshoots advanced instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
  • Executes complex test plans on diverse military hardware (weapons, vehicles, electronics).
  • Serves as the technical authority on-site to verify that testing parameters meet strict military standards.
  • Devises custom fixtures or modifications when standard testing equipment cannot accommodate a unique test asset.
  • Diagnoses root causes of system failures during testing.
  • Adapts testing methodologies on the fly to handle unexpected technical anomalies.
  • Bridges the gap between engineering theory and practical execution by translating complex test plans for technicians.
  • Drafts clear technical inputs for test reports, failure analyses, and daily status updates.
  • Liaises with external stakeholders (program managers, contractors) to coordinate test resources.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • This position requires the employee to occasionally travel 10% of the time away from the normal duty station.
  • Position requires heavy lifting of 50 pounds or more. Incumbent is required to pass a pre-employment physical.
  • Drug testing designated position under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program. Signing of a DA Form 5019 and acknowledging periodic random drug testing requirements is mandatory prior to being placed into this position.
  • The duties of this position require access to arms, ammunition, and explosives. (The provisions of paragraph 2-11 AR 190-11 apply).
  • A person who has been convicted of of domestic violence cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition. Candidates convicted are not qualified for this position.
  • The duties of this position require the incumbent to possess or obtain and maintain a valid state Driver's License in one of the 50 U.S. states or possessions to operate vehicles.
  • Incumbent is required to obtain/maintain a government motor vehicle license.
  • This position is designated Tier 3, Non-Critical Sensitive, Moderate Risk and requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance Level.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 11. While probationary the incumbent can be terminated with limited appeal rights.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Civilian Employees of the Command
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998



In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1.) Direct and execute complex test and evaluation programs for advanced military systems, vehicles, or weaponry., 2.) Distribute work/ train a team of technicians to meet critical testing deadlines and safety standards., 3.) Modify established testing procedures to resolve system failures and 4.) Advise senior engineers and program managers on test methodologies and authoring comprehensive technical reports or failure analyses.. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower level/grade position in the federal service (GS-11).


You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:
  • Leadership
  • Oral Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Technical Competence


Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).

Education

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • This is a 17 Career Field position.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement..
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

You may claim Military Spouse preference.

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) applicants will receive preference consideration and will be placed (if selected) at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined best qualified, up to and including the full performance level.

You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference.

DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicants will receive preference consideration at the full-performance grade level only.

Only MSP/PPP applicants currently occupying a formal training program position are entitled to exercise their priority status.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.

U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command

Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Army mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. The Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.

The U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) is the Army's premier test center, featuring the longest overland artillery range in the nation. YPG conducts developmental testing on nearly every piece of equipment in the ground combat arsenal and is at the forefront of the Army's modernization efforts. The proving ground plays a critical role in developing the Army's future force by supporting the Army's modernization priorities. YPG is a key site for demonstrating advanced capabilities and informing the Army's transformation. As part of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), YPG is instrumental in shaping the future of the force under the new Transformation and Training Command (T2COM).

YPG manages test operations at three locations: Yuma Test Center in Yuma, Arizona; Arctics Regions Test Center at Fort Greely, Alaska; and Tropic Regions Test Center on leased land at multiple locations in Central and South America. This position is located in southwestern La Paz County and western Yuma County in southwestern Arizona, United States, approximately 30 miles north-east of the city of Yuma. For more information please visit https://home.army.mil/yuma/index.php.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Website
https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=app_inq
Address
SE-W04XAA US ARMY TEST EVALUATION CMD-YUMA
DO NOT MAIL
Yuma, AZ 85365
US

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