General Engineer

United States Air Force

$76K — $112K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution; master's degree preferred.
  • Technical expertise in multidisciplinary engineering principles across various systems.
  • Experience in development and sustainment engineering, ideally in a defense context.
  • Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity requirements and NIST standards.
  • Strong logistics and program management skills to oversee program goals and objectives.
  • Excellent communication skills for conveying complex information to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to effectively collaborate with stakeholders, including DoD and Air Force personnel.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the modernization of security and access control for U.S. nuclear weapons overseas.
  • Collaborate with various defense and security agencies to ensure requirements are met and validated.
  • Oversee technical aspects of design, production, and support engineering efforts.
  • Advise senior leadership on capabilities related to nuclear weapon lifecycle activities.
  • Conduct system performance assessments and manage emerging engineering methodologies.

Benefits

  • Eligible for situational telework options.
  • Travel may be required, not exceeding 25% of work time depending on project phase.
  • Access to professional development opportunities within the Air Force civilian framework.
Full Job Description
OPEN: 21 August 2026

CLOSE: 14 September 2026

**IMPORTANT**
• AFNWC is enforcing the 2-page resume format. 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
• If you submit a resume that is more than 2 pages, you may receive an error message. Please submit no more than a 2-page resume to be considered.
• Provide all academic degrees, professional military education, and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.
• Method of selection: Resumes will be reviewed for experience/skills, and you will be contacted if selected for an interview.

The Air Force Civilian Service is seeking a full-time General Engineer [redacted]M to work in the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), NATO Strike Support Division (NDW) of the Air Delivered Capabilities Directorate, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, NM.

Value of Position (VoP): NH-0801-03 (81) which has a typical 2026 salary range of $76,463- $112,690 (basic salary without locality included). Locality for Albuquerque-Santa Fe area is 18.33% of basic salary.

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

This position serves as a Systems Engineer within the NATO Strike Support Division, responsible for the USAF's roles for Joint Nuclear Weapon Lifecycle activities for the air-delivered components of the United States' nuclear triad.

This position is eligible for situational telework but regular access to classified systems is required.

DUTIES:
• Lead activities associated with modernizing existing security, storage, and/or access control capabilities as well as developing new capabilities to safeguard all United States nuclear weapons deployed overseas.
• Collaborate with DoD contractors, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), USAFE, EUCOM, and NATO allies to refine requirements and documentation, oversee design efforts and documentation, trace and validate requirements are met, system performance assessment, evaluation and test activities to include emerging simulation and digital engineering methodologies.
• Provide technical oversight on development, design, production, fielding, and support sustaining engineering and surveillance efforts.
• Duties culminate in the ability to advise senior leadership on-going and future capabilities activities.

SKILLS:
• Comprehensive knowledge of multidisciplinary engineering principles, standards, and techniques across structures, electronics, software, and mechanical systems.
• Experience with development, sustainment engineering, and continuous process improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of NIST and DoD cybersecurity requirements.
• Proficiency in logistics and program management, including the ability to set program goals, objectives, and completion strategies.
• Expertise in tracking program status, analyzing statistical data, and preparing quality reports to guide strategic improvements.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build effective working relationships and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders, including personnel from the Departments of Energy and Defense, Air Force staff, and field-level users.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and decision-making abilities within a team environment.
• Experience with DoD and Air Force acquisition policy and planning is preferred.
• Knowledge of aging weapon systems and Nuclear Safety Certification Procedures is preferred.
• Experience with weapon system programs and the ability to interpret nuclear weapon and enterprise policies is preferred.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:
• U.S. Citizenship
• A professional technical degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET-accredited institution. Technical master's degree is desired.
• Engineer 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
• Employees must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management "Practitioner" certification category within required timeframe after appointment.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise; employee must obtain and maintain Top Secret clearance.
• Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on commercial (or military) aircraft. Travel requirements are not expected to exceed 25%, depending on the phase of program to which the candidate is assigned.
• One-year probationary period is attached to this position unless you are a current Air Force civilian with more than one year or are eligible for a Probationary Period Credit which includes the following: Prior Federal civilian service (including non-appropriated fund service) will only count toward your probationary or trial period if it was served within the same agency (e.g., Air Force), were in the same line of work (based on actual duties), and contains no more than a single break in service that does not exceed 30 calendar days.

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