What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Engineer position at U.S. Air Force Civilian Service?
About the job
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: 28 MAY 2026 CLOSES: 4 JUNE 2026 Air Force Civilian Service is seeking a full-time Mechanical Engineer to work in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Minuteman III (MMIII) Systems Division, Ground Mechanical Branch at Hill Air Force Base near Layton, Utah. This position (177863) is an NH-0830-03, which has a typical 2026 salary range of $89,508 - $138,370. *Recruitment, Relocation, Retention, and Student Loan Incentives may be authorized. **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 must be no smaller than 10 pt. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience, education, and professional development is reviewed and considered.
The hiring manager may reject 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. The AFNWC Minuteman III Systems Division manages the current Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) technical life extension program and integrated life-cycle activities, including equipment spares, storage and transportation, modifications, and equipment replacement. America’s nuclear triad remains capable, flexible, resilient and ready, but it must be continually modernized to maintain a credible deterrent against current and emerging threats. This position plays an important role in providing a strategic deterrent to nuclear attack against the United States. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the technical subject matter expert for transporter erectors, the payload transporter and similar transportation equipment for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). Employee will be part of a dynamic engineering team, working with Department of Defense (DoD) and industry leaders. Team members are expected to operate at a high-performance pace and develop and maintain a radical teaming-centric culture. This position provides support for the modernization of the ground-based leg of America’s nuclear deterrence program. DUTIES:
Serves as recognized subject matter expert, advising on MMIII transportation and handling equipment technical design, system design/system architecture including data analyses, design verification, and modeling & simulation of transport systems and their interfaces for all phases of the product life cycle. (Analyses of data may include loads, dynamics, stress, hydraulic systems, maneuverability, and environmental compliance.)
Responsible for coordinating integration efforts with other teams including, but not limited to: air vehicle systems, command and launch infrastructure, system engineering, safety, and cyber and nuclear certification teams to ensure design meets all weapon system requirements.
Performs and reports probabilistic risk analysis, hazard analysis, fault trees, and other systems engineering concepts to derive system requirements for transportation and handling systems.
Provides technical guidance and identifies risks/opportunities regarding design concepts and certification, specifications, cost and schedule management.
Proactively develops and presents technical briefings and reports to program stakeholders and senior leaders.
Actively uses Systems Engineering principles and processes in support of multiple sustainment and acquisition efforts. SKILLS:
Engineering experience (e.g., mechanical, automotive, electrical, etc.) in the following areas is highly desired:
Support development/modernization and sustainment of large-scale vehicles (e.g. heavy tactical vehicles, over-the-road semi-trucks and trailers, dump trucks, etc.).
Design work on semi-truck suspensions systems, fabrication, axle placement, and testing.
Design work on environmental control systems used for heating and cooling big rig trailers.
Understanding of DoD weapon systems issues, and experience working with government organizations in areas such as research and development, design, acquisition, production, maintenance, repair, engineering support, testing, and evaluation, and/or system modification is highly valued.
Experience administering systems engineering principles and identifying weapon system sustainment needs is highly desirable.
Background in test, evaluation, and modeling execution is highly valued.
Systems engineering experience with design, development, operation and/or life cycle sustainment of a product/system with complex engineering and management challenges.
Deep knowledge of the Air Force acquisition process.
Familiarity with ICBMs.
Experience developing or reviewing system safety assessment analysis and/or failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis.
Ability to creatively solve technical issues (hardware, software, testing, etc.) quickly and elegantly, with cost and schedule impact consideration.
Experience using innovative approaches to identify and solve problems related to design, testing, management, and data analyses.
Experience in effectively communicating issues and resolutions to contractors, stakeholders, and team members with varying technical backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal are required.
U.S. CITIZENSHIP
Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, and will be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
Engineering candidates must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) All Professional Engineering Positions, 0800, Individual Occupational Requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
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.
Implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and restriction from the workplace.
Salary : $89,508 - $138,370