Instrumentation 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 not only celebrates its past, but continues to lead from the front. Join our team today and make Aerospace history

About the Role:
The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Instrumentation Engineer (NH-0855/0854/0801/1550-03) to work at the Arnold Engineering Development Complex, 704th Test Group, 846th Test Squadron, Engineering Flight (846 TS/TGTMI) at Holloman Air Force Base. In this position you will serve as an electronics engineer, providing engineering expertise for instrumenting rocket sled tests. The 846 TS works with DoD and other customers to design, develop and execute high speed rocket sled ground tests specifically designed to simulate selected portions of the flight environment in support of the development of weapon systems and other flight hardware. The 846 TS is unique in that every test utilizes a single test resource: the Holloman High Speed Test Track. Moreover, the 846 TS is a “one stop shop,” where all aspects of a test project are carried out in-house, including mechanical and instrumentation engineering design; sled, instrumentation & concrete target fabrication; test setup & teardown; data collection, analysis & reporting; as well as continual rail maintenance. The instrumentation engineer has the overall responsibility to design and oversee the buildup of instrumentation systems to assess sled testing environment.

APPLY NOW THIS JOB CAN CLOSE AT ANY TIME

Location: Alamogordo, NM (Holloman Air Force Base)
Typical 2024 salary range: $86,962 - $134,435 per year (includes locality)
Telework Information: Up to 20% telework possible (must reside in local area)
Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible
Incentives: This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation and student loan repayment 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:
- A working knowledge of MATLAB Software
- Knowledge of circuit design and electrical loads analysis
- Working knowledge of experimental techniques with emphasis on data acquisition, data validation/analysis and data presentation

Major Duties:
- Performs professional electronics engineering work involved in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes. Applies expert knowledge and mastery of advanced engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods to ensure assigned projects remain consistent with program objectives, costs, schedules, performance criteria, and existing policies.
- Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates significant and complex projects involving the application of sled test instrumentation design and data collection.
- Applies experimental theories, new applications or developments to improve operations and/or resolve unique or complex/controversial problems, conditions, or issues in the area of instrumentation system design.
- Functions as organization’s technical specialist in electronics engineering for critical systems and devices.
- Establishes technical objectives and requirements, evaluates design concepts for required performance criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships. Assesses requirements against a range of diverse considerations, including safety and human factors, technical risks, functionality, reliability, failure analysis, quality assurance, cost, and environmental impact.
- Provides recommendations for advancing programs and/or oversees changes in production methods or materials directed by changes in requirements, technological advances, or shortcomings in design and/or performance.
- Performs complex and comprehensive analysis and uses systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to implement, develop, and document projects. Evaluates procedures and employs innovative techniques and methods to achieve goals.
- Serves as a consultant and technical expert to senior subject matter specialists and/or agency officials responsible for broad program operations. Serves as the technical expert for the organization and provides status and advisory services to superiors on problems, issues, and projects in assigned program areas. Attends meetings, conferences, briefings, and seminars related to project or program support.

Qualifications/Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Obtain & maintain a SECRET Security clearance
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in an engineering, scientific or mathematical discipline that meets OPM engineering (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf) or computer science (https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/) requirements.
- Must obtain Practitioner Level Test & Evaluation Acquisition Professional Development Program Certification within four years of hire date
- Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY) approximately 30 days or less per year.

KSAs:
- Knowledge of professional electronics, computer engineering or computer science theories, concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, and materials, to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, computer software, or computer hardware architectural principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.
- Knowledge of the principles of planning and program management; standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and other engineering or computer software disciplines.
- Ability to research, evaluate, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and procedures to a variety of situations and to recommend timely and economical solutions.
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:
Paid Time Off:
- 11 Federal Holidays off per year
- Vacation time (Annual Leave) accumulates based on length of employment. Starts at 13 days (104 hours) per year and up to 26 days (208 hours) per year
- 13 sick days per year (104 hours)

Retirement:
- Pension: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
- 401K: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) available with up to 5% agency matching

Health & Wellness:
- Various Medical, Dental & Vision packages to choose from for entire family
- 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 https://simplebooklet.com/230809aftcbenefitstrifold_v5_.

Federal Resume Tips:
https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/

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Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities:
https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/

Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. citizenship required. Must be of legal working age.

Air Force Test Center is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We recognize diversity encompasses many parts of one’s identity including but not limited to race, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, genetic information, disability status, and veteran status. AFTC encourages ALL candidates to apply as our employees’ points of view are key to our success.

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