Computer Scientist

Come be a part of something big! Smart Minds, Cool Jobs and Awesome Rewards! Fueled by innovation, talent and ambition, the Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force.

OPENS: 20 MAY 2026 CLOSES: 3 JUNE 2026

• IMPORTANT**
• AFNWC requires the 2-page resume format for our job announcements. Please access this link to learn more about what to include in your resume: https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include
• Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience, education, and professional development is reviewed and considered, which is *a common practice in both the public and private sectors.
• The hiring manager will reject any illegible/unreadable resumes or resumes that do not comply with the 2-page limitation.
• Provide all academic degrees, professional military education and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.
  
  

Air Force Civilian Service is currently seeking a full-time Computer Scientist to work in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), in the Sentinel Systems Division, Chief of Software Office, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

This position (986249) is an NH-1550-03 which has a typical 2026 salary range of $89,508- $138,370.

Responsibilities

The AFNWC Sentinel Systems Division manages a major defense acquisition program charged to deliver a full system replacement for the nation’s Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) System, providing a strategic deterrent to nuclear attack against the United States. The Chief of Software Office is responsible for the following:

• Organization, training, and equipping of the Sentinel software engineers
• Sentinel software governance, compliance, and assessment
• External Sentinel software support management
  
  

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Computer Scientist supporting the design, development, and delivery of the Sentinel Weapon System software by the contractor. Located within the Chief of Software Office and matrixed to an Integrated Product Team (IPT), this position serves as a computer scientist providing critical technical oversight and guidance for contractor-driven software engineering efforts. The position will include evaluating software architecture, facilitating integration, and ensuring software solutions meet the rigorous requirements of the weapon system. Ultimately, this role assists in ensuring the Sentinel Program Office delivers secure, reliable, and advanced software capabilities to the Air Force.

Duties

• Conduct comprehensive technical design and peer reviews of contractor-provided software architectures, source code, and technical documentation to ensure alignment with Sentinel Weapon System requirements. Identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical issues or deficiencies within software deliveries, collaborating directly with contractors to implement corrective actions, mitigate programmatic risks, and ensure final deliverables meet stringent Department of War quality and security standards.
• Actively collaborate and coordinate with cross-functional government and contractor stakeholders across a large-scale Agile/Lean software development enterprise. Participate in iterative planning, sprint reviews, and technical exchanges to ensure alignment of contractor software development efforts with the strategic objectives of the IPT, fostering a culture of continuous integration and rapid-capability delivery.
• Participate in program milestones, technical interchange meetings (TIMs), and design reviews (e.g., PDR, CDR) as a recognized government software authority, holding contractors accountable for technical baselines.
• Attend meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to program planning, advanced technologies, and support system concepts. Represent the organization in a professional manner.
  
  

Skills

• Positions at this level typically have 5 years of relevant computer scientist experience
• Proficiency in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) management, using Agile project management principles and practices is highly desired
• Proficiency in design/evaluation of large, complex software architecture using Unified Modeling Language (UML) and/or Systems Modeling Language (SysML) is highly desired
• Experience in coding/developing software for either large enterprise information systems or complex electrical mechanical systems using contemporary software languages (e.g. C/C , Python, Rust, GO, JavaScript, C#, Java) is preferred
• Excellent communication and presentation skills required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team required
  
  

Requirements For The Position

• U.S. CITIZENSHIP
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance and will be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• Employee must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification category within required timeframe after appointment.
• This is a DoD Cyber Workforce position; selected individual must be able to meet position qualification requirements IAW DoDM 8140.3 in the required timeframes. The DoD Cyberspace Workforce Role Code(s) and Proficiency Level(s) assigned to this position are:” o 621 (Software Developer) (Proficiency Level: Basic)
• For more information concerning Cyberspace Work Roles (CWR), review the latest “DCWF Tool” at https://www.cyber.mil/dod-workforce-innovation-directorate/dod-cyber-workforce-framework
• In accordance with DoDM 8140.03; employees will have 9 to 12-months to become fully qualified in all position qualification requirements.
• Bachelor’s degree in either Computer Science or Computer Engineering is preferred. To qualify for the Computer Scientist occupation in the Federal Government, a candidate must have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.