Department: Department of the Air Force
Location(s): Eglin AFB, Florida
Salary Range: $124531 - $190424 Per Year
Job 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 perform as the Senior Test Engineer within the Advanced Capabilities Flight of the 40th Flight Test Squadron.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Science and Engineering. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 1 year of specialized experience at the next lower grade level or band or equivalent pay scale test and evaluating state-of-the-art weapon systems and cyber capabilities, providing quality installation and mission support, and serving as responsible stewards of our resources to deliver war-winning capabilities. It may have been gained in the private sector, volunteer service, military service, and/or government service, etc. IDEAL CANDIDATE: Senior Test Engineer within the Advanced Capabilities Flight of the 40th Flight Test Squadron is responsible for overall technical adequacy and technical approach for developmental test of fighter aircraft and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) enabled systems. Duties include managing test engineer workload and progress, training and equipping test control personnel, overseeing test process, and conducting test execution. Senior Test Engineers influence local policy and decision making and advises squadron and group leadership. 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. Knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services. 2. Knowledge of development testing and evaluation sufficient to apply experimental theories and new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment. 3. Knowledge of integrated air-vehicles, ground systems, and support equipment sufficient to plan, design, test, troubleshoot, evaluate, and oversee the development and/or sustainment of electronic systems or devices. 4. Knowledge of the principles of planning and program management; standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and other engineering disciplines. 5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches, and to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes. 6. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies. -Graduate of recognized military Test Pilot School. -Demonstrated competencies in flight test techniques for fighter aircraft. -Experience in conducting test missions from a control room (Test Conductor, Test Director, Test Essential Specialist, etc) -Experience with planning, executing, and reporting on flight test of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning enabled aircraft or aircraft systems. -Experience with planning, executing, and reporting on flight sciences test campaigns to include compatibility flight profiles and flight controls related testing. -Knowledge and understanding of aircraft mission systems and associated test procedures for radars, datalinks, targeting pods, communication systems, navigation aids, and pilot-vehicle interfaces. -Experience and skill mentoring engineers of various skill levels. -Experience with data analysis tools and techniques. -Experience with test team constructs like Integrated Test Teams and Integrated Product Teams. -Knowledge of DoD Airworthiness process. -Understanding of DT/OT in the greater acquisition cycle. -Experience executing test missions from a mission control room (onboard or offboard) 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.
How to Apply: The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/16/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12856515 To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s). PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.
Application Deadline: 2026-01-16