General Engineer (Chief Engineer)

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. OPEN: 16 April 2026 CLOSE: 30 April 2026 IMPORTANT

• To formally express your interest in this position, please reply to this email or include the job title in the subject line as part of your application process. Please submit your resume to afnwc.dpd.talentacquisitions@us.af.mil no later than Midnight Eastern Time, 23 Apr 2026.
• AFNWC requires the 2-page resume format. 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
• Method of selection: Resumes will be reviewed for experience/skills and you will be contacted if selected for an interview. Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Integration Directorate (AFNWC/NC) is seeking one full-time AcqDemo NH-801-04, General Engineer (0009645601M) as Chief Engineer for the Strategic Communications Division, currently located at MITRE, Bedford MA. Join the AFNWC team to help modernize NC3 capabilities in support of strategic deterrence – a top Secretary of Defense priority. This NH-0801-04 position has a typical 2025 salary range of $142,452-$197,200 (Boston locality pay included). Work is performed on-site at MITRE Bedford, MA and/or Hanscom AFB, MA. Acquisition Program Description: The position will lead systems engineering and technical functions within a division composed of military, government civilian, A&AS contractors and Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) personnel. Primary responsibilities include leading Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) SATCOM terminal modernization efforts with the prime contractor for assigned efforts to include modifications required to integrate Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) constellation capabilities, Enhanced Polar System – Recapitalization (EPS-R) capabilities, airborne and ground production restart, and other modification efforts as assigned. These various modernization activities modify the technical baselines for ground based and airborne variants of the Family of Beyond Line of Site Terminals (FAB-T) Command Post Terminal (CPT) ACAT I program. The Chief Engineer will also oversee engineering efforts for any new strategic SATCOM terminal program acquisition planned for the ICBM force (potential new ACAT I program) and SATCOM terminal Crypto Modification initiatives. The Chief Engineer will be responsible for Engineering Functional Organize, Train and Equip (OT&E) activities within the branch to include recommending personnel actions, recruiting and staffing of Engineering positions within the branch. This key engineering position who is accountable to the Division Chief (Senior Materiel Leader) for Operational Safety, Suitability and Effectiveness (OSS&E) of division programs and technical baseline modifications. The Chief Engineer is programmatically accountable to the Strategic Communications Division Senior Materiel Leader. FAB-T terminals provide 24-hour, 7-day per week survivable, redundant communication links for Command and Control (C2) of the United States nuclear forces by the President through the National Military Command System (NMCS), with advice from the Secretary of Defense, Combatant Commanders and associated senior leadership. Engineering activities performed in this division directly affect the NC3 Weapon System function, and our warfighter’s ability to perform NC3 and other essential functions as directed by the President of the United States. Major duties:
• Performs multidisciplinary engineering work involving the application of electrical, electronics, mechanical, aerospace, human systems integration/human factors, reliability, availability and maintainability, system security engineering, cybersecurity engineering, cryptologic systems, system safety, configuration and data management, manufacturing and quality engineering, system sustainment, digital engineering, and other engineering disciplines to determine the technical and business needs of stakeholders in the acquisition, development, or sustainment of the systems, sub-systems, support systems, equipment items, or an equivalent product.
• Coordinates the various phases of engineering work with other functional disciplines (e.g., Program management, Logistics, Finance, Cost/Pricing, Contracts, etc.) and interprets/translates engineering requirements into design characteristics and criteria.
• Formulates and explains recommendations or solutions to modify standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and techniques.
• Evaluates performance with respect to program requirements, evaluates design changes to assess effects on performance.
• Performs trade studies on design changes, recommends solutions to technical problems, and recommends different engineering approaches throughout the system lifecycle from concept to development phase and into production and sustainment.
• Experience with DoD system acquisition to include Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS), non-traditional acquisition processes, waterfall and agile software development processes, and major milestone activities and design reviews.
• Evaluates, identifies, and implements value-added Digital Materiel Management (DMM) initiatives in support of the Department of the Air Forces DMM vision and Building Code.
• Performs System of Systems integration and engineering to ensure planned modifications meet end to end performance requirements and SATCOM capabilities function as intended within the AN/USQ-225 weapon system.
• Develop roadmaps and government reference architectures for new Strategic SATCOM capabilities, modifications, and technical refresh efforts informed by and in collaboration with cross functional Strategic SATCOM Division Leadership, other NC Divisions and program management offices (PMOs), the NC3 Weapon System Integration Division, lead MAJCOM (AFGSC), USSTRATCOM/NEC, and other DAF and joint stakeholders.
• Guides and mentors assigned engineering staff, directs contractor engineering work, and responsible for branch OT&E functions.
• Incumbent performs other engineering related duties and special projects as assigned by the Division Chief as mission needs dictate.
• This is a Critical Engineering Position (CEP). Candidates must meet the minimum core criteria at the Chief Engineer level per AFMC Instruction 62-202, Criteria for Critical Engineering Positions, 13 November 2023. Skill sets that are highly desired for this position:
• At least eight years of relevant technical experience is highly desired to perform this critical Chief Engineer role.
• Strong background in NC3 mission execution and/or systems acquisition, Digital Engineering principles, regulations and policies to include Model Based System Engineering methodologies.
• Experience in applying systems engineering principles to highly complex SATCOM terminal systems. Knowledge of commercial SATCOM technologies and advancements.
• Strong engineering background in SATCOM terminal architecture (hardware/firmware, software), radio frequency (RF) systems and networks, real time operating systems, IP networks, and other communications systems and their theory of operation.
• Experience working with extended and geographically dispersed teams, to include multiple Government, Industry, FFRDC, UARC and DoD research lab organizations.  
• Experience leading Science & Technology and Research & Development communications systems projects.
• Effective communication and organizational skills with demonstrated experience in leading diverse technical teams of experienced professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and mentor assigned personnel to include young professionals (new hires and recent college graduates).
• DoD systems engineering and NC3 domain experience desired. Requirements for the Position: U.S. CITIZENSHIP
• Must be TS/SCI eligible; this position requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance. Active TS/SCI or TS clearance preferred. Please include current clearance level in your resume.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations.
• Engineering degree required. An advanced engineering degree, such as a Master’s or PhD is preferred. Electrical, Electronics/RF/Communications, Computer, Software and Systems Engineering degrees desired.
• This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).  The selected candidate must meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act requirements applicable to the duties of the position.  Current Engineering & Technical Management (ETM) Practitioner certification is required. If not already certified as an ETM Practitioner, the selected candidate is required to attain certification within 60 months of appointment.
• This position is not eligible for remote work or regular and/or recurring telework.
• This position is subject to random drug testing.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on commercial (or military) aircraft. Travel requirements are not expected to exceed 25%. QUALIFICATIONS: To qualify as an engineer, the employee must meet the education and specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for Professional and Scientific Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf HOW TO APPLY: When applying at the link below, please use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome. Click the apply button to complete an application and upload resume (PDF or Word Doc) and/or additional documents (Transcripts, certifications, Vet Docs (DD214), SF-50). To receive additional information about current and future job openings with AFCS via email notification, please register at www.Afciviliancareers.com and sign up to “Get Career Updates.” Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. citizenship required. Must be of legal working age.