Test Engineer

About the Air Force Test Center:

The Air Force Test Center (AFTC) is where tomorrow's Air Force is tested! Long considered the "Center of the Aerospace Testing Universe", AFTC is truly where Air Force superiority begins. Home to many Aerospace establishments and records, AFTC remains the state-of-the-art leader in Aerospace testing, and provides the warfighter with cutting-edge technology. AFTC does not only celebrate its past, but we continue to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history!

Build Your Future, Impact the World.

About the Role:

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Test Engineer (NH-0855-02T03) to work at the 412th Test Wing, 412th Test Engineering Group, 775th Test Squadron (775 TS/ENV) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

The 775th Test Squadron's mission is to provide accurate, operationally relevant test and evaluation for the United States Air Force and its allies. Engineers in the squadron direct the testing of state-of-the-art Air Force mission systems technology across multiple aircraft platforms in areas such as guidance, navigation, and identification; communications; electro-optical and infrared systems; directed energy; mission planning; radar; sensor fusion; and weapons integration.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a professional test engineer supporting flight test and evaluation of new or modified aircraft, subsystems, and support equipment fielded by the United States Air Force. The engineer applies multidisciplinary engineering principles and test management methods to develop test strategies, write test plans and procedures, coordinate test execution, monitor test events, analyze results, and assess whether systems meet operational and technical requirements.

APPLY NOW! THIS JOB CAN CLOSE AT ANY TIME!

Location: Edwards Air Force Base, CA

Typical 2026 salary range: $47,490 - $161,313 per year (includes locality)

"If your current basic salary is within the band, but above the stated VOP, your basic salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position."

Telework Information: Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prescribed "Unscheduled Telework"\

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible

Incentives:

This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

Direct Hire Authority: NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

Desired Skills:

Experience in a professional or academic engineering environment conducting tests to evaluate system requirements.

Experience with data analysis and technical reporting.

Experience with leading a project or a team of engineers.

Major Duties:

Performs a wide variety of professional engineering duties associated with administering test and evaluation (T&E) efforts for a specialized area within assigned projects/programs.

Studies and interprets requirements, specifications, and characteristics of the system under test to determine the specific factors to be considered, types of tests to be conducted, and data to be obtained.

Develops plans for conducting tests to evaluate system design and capability to meet established performance requirements, and coordinates the various phases of the test and evaluation process with other functional disciplines.

Assesses, evaluates, and compares test data and results with modeling and simulation results, system performance and mission requirements, and test plan objectives. Presents the outcome in the form of plots, tables, and other graphic representation.

Develops metrics and interprets analysis and results to ascertain needed changes or modifications to production methods, procedures, and/or approaches.

Evaluates and recommends procedures and innovative techniques and methods to achieve goals.

In support of engineering reviews and/or panels, develops evaluations and technical justifications of feasibility, practicability, and technical soundness.

Participates in planning conferences, prepares management reports, and conducts technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective action.

Qualifications/Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship (Required)

PROBATIONARY PERIOD STATEMENT: (Required) - For All Positions

Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period. Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

(NOTE: Typically, the 1-year probationary period is for Competitive Jobs, and 2-year trail period is for Excepted Jobs.)

Obtain & maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

This is a designated drug testing position.

Bachelor's degree (or higher) in engineering from an ABET accredited college or university.

Ability to synthesize concepts, principles, and practices across technical and test engineering disciplines.

Knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, materials, and equipment to effectively apply multidisciplinary engineering theories, procedures, and techniques to test and evaluation activities.

Knowledge to perform the requirements planning, coordination, test direction, data collection, analysis, and reporting of results for a wide variety of test projects.

Skill in planning and organizing test activities, analyzing test data to verify item/system meets established performance requirements, and in providing thorough and precise information to management.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:

Paid Time Off:

11 Federal Holidays each year

13 sick leave days earned per year (accumulative)

Paid Vacation Time:

13-26 days per year based on length of employment

Health Insurance:

No waiting period to qualify for you and your family

Retirement:

Immediate coverage by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

Basic Benefits Plan

Social Security:

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), like a 401(k) (Automatically receive 1% agency contributions and up to 5% matching)

Health & Wellness:

Various Medical

Flexible Spending Account

Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance

Work/Life Balance:

Family and Medical Leave Act

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)

Career Development:

Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities

Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at ;br>
Federal Resume Tips:

Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.

Learn more about the new resume requirements at:

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Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:

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Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities: ;br>
AFTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.