Job Overview

Imagine being at the forefront of innovation, where technology advancements meet strategic national defense imperatives. Picture yourself leading a team of talented engineers, scientists, and acquisition professionals in developing and integrating the next generation of counter-maritime weapon system technologies that will shape the future of air-delivered naval warfare. As a Lead Engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), you won't just be building systems, you'll be building the future. Be the Architect of Tomorrow's Arsenal.

This position is open to: All US citizens. This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 12 March 2025.

Your application may not be considered if all required documents are not submitted. See list of required documents at the bottom of the announcement.

This announcement may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Pioneering the Future

As a Lead Engineer, you'll be the driving force behind the design, development, and integration of advanced counter-maritime weapon systems. From conceptualization to testing, demonstration, and deployment, your guidance will bring new technologies and employment methods to life. You'll lead the technical program aspects in a highly dynamic acquisition team, tackling complex challenges and coordinating with operators to transition technologies into the hands of our warfighters.

• Leads technical activities in a diverse and multi-functional team by overseeing technical progress, ensuring desired program technical objectives are achieved and products are delivered within schedule and budget.
• Develops technical strategies supporting program execution across diverse initiatives involving complex design and engineering problems. Generates system requirements and standards.
• Champions program plans and leads program execution among government and industry partners to develop and document program performance metrics, risk management plans, and schedule/budget projections for planned activities and deliverables.

Owning the Technical Baseline

You will be responsible for performing multidisciplinary professional engineering work, managing systems engineering processes, applying sound business practices, and executing Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) processes and tools, including:

• Develops and analyzes a wide range of technical activities, such as unique mission requirements, lethality assessments, modeling and simulation, and testing across ordnance, ground, and flight environments to solve engineering issues.
• Accomplishes engineering objectives including creating and evaluating alternatives, designing and conducting experiments, analyzing and interpreting results, delivering and presenting results, and monitoring in-house and external activities.
• Develops and coordinates on contracting Statements of Objectives/Statements of Work and leads technical evaluations of contractor proposals. Monitors contractor program execution.

Amplifying Impact Through Partnerships

You will collaborate, interact, and coordinate with personnel across all organizational levels inside and outside the Department of Defense (DoD).

• Interacts, coordinates, and directly consults with the Department of the Air Force, DoD, Department of Energy, industry partners, academia, and international and technical societies to advocate for the development of advanced counter-maritime technologies.
• Reports and documents program results through written reports, oral presentations, and professional interchange forums. Communicates and delivers complex technical information in a clear, concise manner, and builds strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Coordinates with operators, joint service personnel, organizations across Eglin AFB, engineers, scientists, and a multitude of others including the public.

This isn't just another engineering job; it's an opportunity to contribute to a mission of national importance. The work you do will directly impact the Air Force's ability to defend our nation's interests in the maritime domain. If you have experience in weapon system technologies, maritime lethality, developmental testing and demonstrations, and/or operational employment methods, consider joining our team that's making a real difference in the world. Your contributions will have a lasting legacy.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizenship.
• Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade (DR-02, GS-13) or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include experience in leading and managing diverse, multi-functional teams, managing systems engineering processes, application of sound business practices and financial discipline, executing MBSE processes and tools, and developing and integrating weapon technologies and/or systems.
• Applicants must be able to meet the OPM Qualification Standards of the position being filled: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret with access to SCI as a condition of employment.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent will be subject to random testing.
• This position is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management (N); Applicants must list all completed APDP certifications in their resume.
• PCS expenses, if authorized, will be paid in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations and Air Force regulations. Centrally managed PCS costs paid by the Career Field Team.

Desired Qualifications

• At least five years of experience with primary duties in weapons systems engineering.
• Experience working across multiple government organizations and diverse stakeholders.
• Experience/ability to lead multi-functional teams.
• Experience briefing senior executives.
• Ability to cultivate a professional, respectful environment of cooperation, cohesion, and teamwork.
• Technical master's degree/PhD from an accredited university/institute.
• Diversity of experience including successfully completed assignments in multiple organizations.
• Completion of Professional Military Education programs.

When uploading documents, please utilize the naming convention listed below. The Requisition Number is located at the bottom of the announcement.

• Resume (PDF): Req No_XXXXX_Last Name_First Name_Resume

• Transcript: Req No_XXXXX_Last Name_First Name_Transcript

• SF-50: Req No_XXXXX_Last Name_First Name_SF-50

• If uploading multiple transcripts, naming convention should include "Transcript BS" or "Transcript MA" as applicable.

Required documents include:

• Federal resume with relevant start and end dates in MM/DD/YY format, per experience entry.
• Unofficial transcripts are required if the OPM Qualification Standards and Individual Occupational Requirement require a degree or combination of education and experience to qualify. For example, science and engineering positions have education requirements and therefore transcripts must be uploaded [redact all Personally Identifiable Information (PII)].
• Current federal employees should provide most recent SF 50 and SF 50 showing date of last promotion; redact all PII.

Requisition No: 40960

Series

0801

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) employs approximately 11,500 military, civilian and contractor personnel, and manages a $7 billion portfolio of investments. The lab supports external customers and partners with industry while investing in basic research, applied research and advanced technology development. As one integrated lab, AFRL seamlessly supports the Science & Technology needs of two services: the Air Force and the Space Force.