Job Description

About the Air Force Test Center:

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrow's Air Force is tested! Long considered the "Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe", AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history!

Air Force Civilian Service, we don't just support the mission - we help shape the future of national defense through discovery, innovation, and unwavering dedication.

About the Role:

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Aerospace Engineer (NH-0861-03) to work at the 412th Test Wing, 412th Test Engineering Group, 773rd Test Squadron, Structures Flight (773 TS/ENFS) at Edwards Air Force Base.

The 773rd Test Squadron is the Air Force's center of expertise for flight sciences test and evaluation, conducting leading edge developmental flight test to deliver high-quality data and analysis on new and modified aircraft.

APPLY NOW! THIS JOB CAN CLOSE AT ANY TIME!

Location: Edwards Air Force Base, CA

Typical 2026 salary range: $104,349 - $161,313 per year/per hour (includes locality) "If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position."

NOTE: For Acquisition "NH Pay Band" positions ADD the following statement under the pay band range:

"If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position."

Telework Information: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework"

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible

Incentives: (remove if no incentives offered):

• This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Direct Hire Authority: NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

Must have requirements or may not be considered:

Information Assurance (IA) Certification may be a condition of employment. Per DoD 8570.01-M, the incumbent of position must attain the appropriate IA certification

within six months of assignment of these duties.

Desired Skills:

- One or more years of professional engineering experience within an aerospace, defense, or test environment.

- Applied experience utilizing MATLAB and/or Python to support engineering calculations, data processing, or analysis.

- Familiarity or practical knowledge of airframe structures sub-disciplines, such as aeroelasticity/flutter, external loads, or noise and vibration.

Major Duties:

- Performs a broad range of multi-disciplinary professional engineering work to manage test and evaluation (T&E) efforts for assigned programs.

- Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates significant and complex projects in test engineering which represent critical segments of major programs.

- Develops plans for conducting tests (or a series of tests) to evaluate system design and capability to meet established performance requirements.

- Assesses, evaluates, and compares test data and results with modeling and simulation results, system performance and mission requirements, test plan objectives, and presents the outcome in the form of plots, tables, and other graphic representations.

- Provides technical guidance, direction, and advice to other engineers and specialists.

- In support of engineering reviews and/or panels, develops evaluations and technical justifications of feasibility, practicability, and technical soundness.

- Participates in planning conferences, prepares management reports, and conducts technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective actions.

Qualifications/Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship (Required)

PROBATIONARY PERIOD STATEMENT:

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.

(NOTE: Typically, the 1-year probationary period is for Competitive Jobs, and 2-year trail period is for Excepted Jobs.)

Drug Testing: (if applicable)

This is a designated Drug Testing Position.

Security Clearance: (Required)

Must be able to obtain and maintain a "Top Secret" security clearance.

Education Requirements:

Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution. Advanced degrees are preferred.

DAWIA Certification: (if applicable)

Must be able to obtain and maintain the required level of Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification within 3 years of assigned duties.

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.

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.

Knowledge of security guidelines, safety issues, and relevant government and industry standards, regulations, practices, and procedures.

Skill in negotiating and/or defending test results and test program concepts with technical accuracy.

Ability to execute projects and/or studies within established financial and/or time constraints; to gather, 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.

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.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:

Paid Time Off:

11 Federal Holidays each year

13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)

Paid Vacation Time:

13-26 days per year based on length of employment

Health Insurance:

No waiting period to qualify for you and your family

Retirement:

Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

Basic Benefits Plan

Social Security:

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching)

Health & Wellness:

Various Medical

Flexible Spending Account

Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance

Work/Life Balance:

Family and Medical Leave Act

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)

Career Development:

Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities

Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at

Federal Resume Tips:

Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.

Learn more about the new resume requirements at:

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:

Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities:

AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Tags

Hourly pay, Full time, For contractors, Work at office, Immediate start, Remote work, Trial period, Relocation package, Flexible hours

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