Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 13 June 2025.

OPEN TO CURRENT AFRL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ONLY

The Directed Energy Directorate seeks to hire a senior level, DR-04, Chief Engineer located at Kirtland AFB / Albuquerque NM. The Chief Engineer will serve as the science, technology, and Technical Engineering authority for the Directorate. Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides advice and counsel to the TD Director and the entire TD on engineering, systems engineering and programmatic matters.
• Develops, improves, and implements tailored engineering processes, policies, practices, tools, and training across the TD’s portfolio and the S&E workforce to ensure successful S&T execution.
• Establishes and maintains working partnerships with end users and system managers across the acquisition and sustainment enterprise to ensure TD's technology development efforts are informed by the right requirements to enable best possible technology transition success.
• Measures engineering application and effectiveness within the TD.
• Ensures TD remains compliant with AFRL and higher headquarters engineering, test, and program management policies.
• Mentors TD S&Es and provides guidance and coaching.
• Tailors and applies Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) and/or Mission Assurance principles to TD programs as appropriate.
• As the TD representative to the AFRL SE Council, collaborates with the AFRL CE and other TD CEs to promote consistent systems engineering policy and training across AFRL. Participates in engineering professional societies and establishes a network outside the TD and Air Force.
• Keeps abreast of the latest technology developments in industry/academia. Ensures and enables AFRL/RD product integration into system-level solutions for transitioning Science and Technology to the warfighter.
• Chairs Directorate technical and test reviews.
• Works in partnership with the AFRL CE and other TDs to provide technical support to S&T Program Management, requirements development & management, risk management, configuration management, decomposition, design, integration, test, and informed technology transition.
• Promotes a culture where intellectual property (IP) is developed, documented, protected, and encouraged.

Telework

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

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizenship
• Demonstrated systems engineering and systems test and evaluation experience in a DoD or relevant industry systems acquisition program office, test organization, and/or laboratory environment. Demonstrated experience in laser and high power microwave systems development is preferred.
• Experience leading a results-oriented team of diverse professionals.
• Engineering & Technical Management Practitioner certification is a condition of employment within 24 months of onboarding.
• Must hold or be able to obtain Top Secret clearance

Desired Qualifications

• Program Management Practitioner and Test & Evaluation Practitioner are desired.
• A Masters degree in Engineering or the Physical Sciences is highly preferred.
• A Masters degree in Management or MBA with a BS Engineering would also be considered.

Requisition Number: 20749

Series

0801

0830

0850

0861

1310

1515

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) employs approximately 11,500 military, civilian and contractor personnel, and manages a $7 billion portfolio of investments. The lab supports external customers and partners with industry while investing in basic research, applied research and advanced technology development. As one integrated lab, AFRL seamlessly supports the Science & Technology needs of two services: the Air Force and the Space Force.