Summary

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Duties

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The Technical Advisor and Principal Investigator is a senior authority responsible for leading the development, modernization, and integration of USSF force designs and multi-domain sensing architectures. They direct cross-functional teams, orchestrate high-level DoW and Presidential directives, and drive advanced capabilities while evaluating threats and resource requirements.

The Technical Advisor and Principal Investigator leads and coordinates multi-disciplinary teams to develop, modernize, and evaluate future force designs. This role directly supports high-priority mandates, including Presidential Executive Orders like the Golden Dome for America (GDA) architecture, OSD direction, and Chief of Space Operations guidance. By formulating detailed analyses and trade space assessments, the advisor ensures critical national milestones are met. Additionally, they oversee the development and execution of the annual work plan, collaborating closely with Mission Support and Planning divisions to guide secure the necessary funding and contract support.

Serving as a primary technical authority, the incumbent conceives and executes complex projects to advance engineering, scientific, and space technology concepts. As Principal Investigator, they lead cross-functional teams to test and refine advanced Kill-Chain capabilities, directly enhancing targeting precision and reducing operational timelines. The role is responsible for applying sound engineering practices to construct threat projections and vulnerability assessments. They integrate diverse intelligence inputs from commercial, scientific, allied, and international sources to deliver cohesive, decision-quality insights to USSF, DAF, and DoW leadership.

This position acts as a vital bridge across the National Security Space enterprise, fostering collaborative relationships with space community leaders, international allies, industry partners, and research institutions. The incumbent facilitates joint discussions to resolve strategic and technical concerns, ensuring that standards and methodologies are accurately applied. They actively advise division leads on project definition and task prioritization. Furthermore, they evaluate existing policies and legislation, directing the drafting of DAF legislative proposals to advocate for program requirements. Furthermore, they evaluate and advise the service on policies and legislation.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
• Position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP). Position requires the incumbent sign a Drug Testing letter and pass urinalysis testing prior to appointment.
• Must have or be able to obtain a TOP SECRET/SCI Security clearance.
• Must file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report.
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD. An individual's initial SL career appointment becomes final only after the individual successfully completes a 1-year probationary period.
• Active Duty Military Members must indicate retirement eligibility.
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentive may be offered.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments.
• EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT (Standard Form 278). Selected candidate must file this report in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
• Veterans' preference is applicable to Air Force Senior Level (SL) positions.
• Within the Department of War (DoW), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.

Qualifications

Eligibility will be based upon clearly showing the applicant has training, education and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations Senior Civilian corps.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Applicants must reflect superior technical qualifications demonstrated through leadership and management in the following:

TQ1: Demonstrated knowledge and experience leading enterprise-level Modeling/Simulation, operational analysis, system concept development/evaluation, technical analysis, life cycle cost evaluation, and conveying results to senior government officials to drive future force decisions.

TQ2: Demonstrated expert knowledge of space sensor capabilities, including sensor technology, space based sensing systems, sensor data architectures, and military applications of space sensors.

A separate narrative statement is not requiredthis information should be embedded within the resume.

Education

A degree qualifying for the 0801 General Engineer job series is required. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) if an engineering degree, be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; or a combination of education and experience as required by the U.S.

A master's degree or higher in engineering or a related scientific discipline is highly desired.

This is a Critical Acquisition Position (CAP).

Additional information

Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference is applicable to Air Force Senior Level (SL) positions.

Relocation Authorized: Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR).Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: May be offered.

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoW Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

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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.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.