Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 14 March 2025.

As part of AFRL’s Directed Energy, Space Electro-Optics Division, the Starfire Optical Range (SOR) is a vital resource in achieving the Department of the Air Force’s mission to operate freely in space. This world-class research facility is located on a hilltop 1,900 meters (6,240 feet) above sea level on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. SOR’s primary mission is to develop optical sensing, imaging, and atmospheric compensation technologies to support aerospace missions.

This facility is the world leader of research for laser-beacon adaptive optics for military uses and civilian applications, and technologies originating at SOR are regularly proliferated across the world-wide astronomical community. It is a major component of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s support to the U.S. Space Force.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:
• Serves as Program Manager (PM) within the Starfire Branch Research Section (AFRL/RDSSR) focusing on advancing state-of-the-art beam control technologies connected with quantum network communications, space object detection, or geosynchronous object ranging programs.
• Plans and organizes R&D and S&E activities, advancing the technical maturity of diverse research systems towards meeting various U.S. gov’t requirements.
• Provides program management oversight to include serving as the Contracting Officer Representative, leading source selection teams, developing requirements for new contracts, monitoring on-going contracts, and tracking and managing financial and technical status.
• Discovers funding opportunities and manages the execution of appointed Starfire Research Section program funds.
• Leads systems engineering of all phases of projects from initial requirements development to mission planning and support of day-to-day testing and operations.
• Oversees the design and development of adaptive optics, laser detection and ranging, quantum information, and/or pointing and tracking systems.
• Briefs and provides updates to leadership, contractor partners and stakeholders on relevant program information.
• Leads interactions and liaisons with partner countries and other U.S. Government agencies to leverage mutual technologies to benefit the program.
• Occasionally, required to work alternate duty hours and support night operations/testing.
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Required Qualifications

• Security: Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Special Sensitive security clearance.
• Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Requirements: Meet (or be capable of meeting) Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Program Management (A).
• Degree: Must possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited academic institution.
• Must have at least one year of specialized experience at the DR-02/GS-13 or equivalent grade level. Specialized experience is experience providing the capacity and skills for working independently, leading collaborative events, working in teams and using these approaches to find and solve complex problems. Such experience may also include training, collaborative process facilitation, innovation design practice, multi-agency liaison work, published work in referred technical journals, and/or briefings to large groups.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent will be subject to random testing.

Desired Qualifications

• A Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) or an MS in Physics.
• Experience in optics, control systems, and directed energy/lasers systems are highly desired.

Req No: 63611

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.