Demo

Chief, Small Satellite Portfolio Branch

Air Force Research Laboratory
Albuquerque, NM Full Time
POSTED ON 11/18/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 12/17/2025
Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 30 November.

The Small Satellite Portfolio Branch, AFRL/RVEN seeks to hire a mid-level, DR-III/IV Branch Chief in Kirtland AFB, NM.

NOTE: Must use DD/MM/YYYY date format for experience entries on resume. Resumes are to be limited to two pages in length only.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Manage, organize, and track science and technology activities including basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development; and provide direct supervision to branch mission managers, program managers and engineers in support of the branch priorities as set by Division and Directorate leadership.
  • Apply knowledge of fundamentals and principles of professional engineering, computer hardware, systems software and computer system architecture, space systems engineering, and integration and test of small satellite systems.
  • Apply knowledge of technology development and program management in the execution of various efforts within the Branch in order to design, build, test, and fly unique spaceborne experiments. Work may focus on a particular mission phase, or the whole process from conception to completion, requiring the management of in-house personnel and engineering processes, contracting and financial processes, and management/ implementation of Directorate policies.
  • Combine systems engineering concepts & cost engineering insights with an overarching view of the branch to ascertain the technical feasibility of program goals, cost, & efficiency.
  • Direct Branch Chief Engineer to coordinate systems engineering resources & cost engineering insights at individual program levels.
  • Manage the portfolio's integrated budget and schedule and determine resource allocations for in-house & contract programs, to include in-house and contracted personnel & activities for compliance with AF regulations.
  • Supervise/ manage approximately 25 civilian and military personnel along with directing work of approximately 15 more in-house contractors.
  • Maintain a clear understanding of branch objectives & remain cognizant of current status & issues.
  • Coordinate with Integrated Experiments & Evaluations Division on staffing, reporting and supervising.
  • Manage Branch facility maintenance, expansions, and operations.
  • Train branch members by coordinating both formal/informal training & provide on-the-job training, mentoring, & hands-on experience in project development, execution, & management.

Telework

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

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

Yes

Required Qualifications

  • United States Citizenship
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance
  • A bachelor’s degree in one or more of the following engineering disciplines: Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
  • This position is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level II Non-Critical certification in Engineering and Technology Management (N). The selectee will have 60 months to meet APDP requirements, or a waiver must be obtained. Applicants for this position must list any acquisition certifications and status as an acquisition corps member in their resume

Desired Qualifications

  • Preferred candidate will have excellent knowledge of and skills in the generation and application of theories, principles, practical concepts, processes, and methods related to small satellite concepts, design and development, assembly, integration, test, launch and operations.
  • Candidate must have a demonstrated ability to supervise and mentor a mix of military and civilian personnel and to communicate effectively with team members, AFRL leadership, and personnel from a variety of external agencies in the DoD and international organizations.

When uploading documents, please utilize the naming convention listed below. The Requisition Number for this announcement is 38405.

Resume: Req No 38405_Last Name_First Name_Resume

Transcript: Req No 38405_Last Name_First Name_Transcript

Requisition Number 38405

Series

08XX

1310

1320

1330

1550

Salary.com Estimation for Chief, Small Satellite Portfolio Branch in Albuquerque, NM
$114,584 to $143,328
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