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

Lead T&E Engineer, 2STS

Department of the Air Force
Space Systems Command
2nd Space Launch Squadron
This job announcement has closed

Summary

To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the
Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Overview

Help
Job closed
Open & closing dates
11/18/2025 to 11/25/2025
Salary
$90,961 to - $140,616 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:
Peterson AFB, CO
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
No
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
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
AF-FY26-6S-NH-0801-3-SPLASH
Control number
850374300

Videos

Duties

Help

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Lead T&E Engineer (NH-0801-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:
Are you an engineering visionary ready to tackle the most complex challenges at the forefront of Test & Evaluation? This advanced-level position offers an unparalleled opportunity to leverage your expert knowledge, shape critical segments of major programs, and directly influence strategic decisions. You'll serve as a recognized technical authority, innovating new methodologies and extending established theories to solve the most intricate problems, all while driving significant change and ensuring operational excellence across vital initiatives. This role is for a seasoned professional who thrives on intellectual rigor, profound impact, and the opportunity to lead and define the future of test engineering on both software and hardware-based systems. In this dynamic role, your days will be dedicated to leading multidisciplinary T&E projects, from initial planning and strategic alignment to in-depth analysis and interpretation of results. You will develop sophisticated test plans, evaluate system performance against rigorous requirements, and devise new methods to assess capabilities. Expect to serve as a key technical advisor, engaging with senior leadership, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring robust data management and reporting. Your expertise will be crucial in mitigating risks, making critical decisions, and continually advancing the state of the art in test and evaluation.

An ideal candidate for this advanced-level position would possess a robust background reflecting significant progressive experience in professional engineering, particularly within Test & Evaluation (T&E). This individual would demonstrate expert knowledge and mastery of advanced engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods, likely acquired through extensive formal education (e.g., graduate-level degrees in engineering) coupled with a proven track record of independently planning and executing highly complex assignments. They would have experience conceiving and defining solutions to intractable problems, interpreting sophisticated findings, and guiding the technical and programmatic work of junior team members, indicating a seasoned professional capable of operating with high autonomy and strategic impact.

Key Skills and Abilities:
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; together, 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.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework
  • PCS is not authorized. Incentive is not authorized.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise; must obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance for the position.
  • A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution in (specific discipline of position) or a closely related field is required.
  • This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). This position is designated a NON-CRITICAL APDP position.
  • Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually, thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
  • Employee may be required to work extended or other than normal duty hours to include evenings and weekends and may be subject to recall.
  • Incumbent may be required to report to work during base exercises, contingencies, or emergency situations and overtime/comp time/credit hours may be required to accomplish assigned duties.
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 20 days per year.
  • This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

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.

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.