About the Role:
The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time (NH-0801-04) General Engineer. This position will be the Flight Sciences Technical Expert working at the USAF Test Pilot School, (USAF TPS) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.
This is an amazing opportunity to be a key part of the USAF TPS world-class faculty. You will be serving as the nationally/internationally recognized Flight Sciences Technical Expert, Senior Advisor, Curriculum Developer, and master’s degree Educator at USAF TPS. In this capacity you will be working with test units across the Air Force Test Center (AFTC), with various divisions of the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), STARCOM, other Department of Defense agencies, other government and university research laboratories, commercial air and space companies, and international partners. You will also be interacting with some of the world’s best aviators, engineers, space vehicle operators, and future test leaders. What an opportunity!
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the United States Air Force (USAF) Test Pilot School's (TPS) nationally/internationally recognized technical expert in Flight Sciences. Provide world-class leadership, expertise, and guidance throughout the organization in the areas of aircraft performance, flight controls, flying qualities and handling qualities; instructional systems design; curriculum development and execution; staffing and resourcing; and student programming and administration in support of a 48-week master’s degree program.
Announcement Closes: 12 Sep 2025
Location: Edwards AFB, CA (Edwards Air Force Base)
Typical 2025 salary range: $145,180 - $195,200 per year (includes locality)
Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel possible
Areas of Consideration:
Incentives:
- This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment/relocation incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.
- This position MAY be eligible for paid relocation (Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs MAY be paid). Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.
- This position MAY be eligible for a Student Loan Repayment (SLR) incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.
Desired Skills:
- PhD or master's degree in Aero Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, prior teaching experience, and/or simulator experience
- Graduate of a military Test Pilot School
- Flight Test Conductor, Test Director, and/or discipline engineer control room experience
- Flying experience
- Active member of a professional organization such as AIAA, SETP, SFTE, ITEA, etc.
- Able to meet USAF flying class III physical requirements including the ability to fly ejection seat aircraft.
Major Duties:
- Senior Advisor: Serves as the top Flight Sciences Test education advisor and senior technical consultant to the Commandant and Technical Director.
- Curriculum Developer: Defines, integrates, and implements Flight Sciences curriculum development for a graduate-level educational program.
- Ensures the TPS curriculum includes state-of-the-art test technology and continues to advance new concepts in flight and space testing and test education, test and safety planning, data collection and analysis, and reporting.
- Master's Degree Educator: As a technical subject matter expert, educates students on how to conduct evaluation of new or critically modified aerospace vehicles/systems; gather, analyze, and draw data-driven conclusions; identify and characterize deficiencies; recommend corrective actions; and report on test results.
- Delivers master’s degree level education through teaching academic courses, leading simulator and/or laboratory sessions, and conducting airborne or air/space control room instruction.
- National/International Technical Expert: Represents TPS, AFTC, and STARCOM as a recognized technical expert in Flight Sciences Test at national and international symposia and conferences.
- Acts as technical and/or safety advisor, subject matter expert, and/or report reviewer for AFMC, STARCOM, DoD, NASA, other government agencies, and allied nations as required.
- There are flying opportunities in multiple military and Qualitative Evaluation aircraft and, depending on your background, a possibility to be an instructor in gliders and Cessnas.
- Research Opportunities: There are opportunities to mentor student Test Management Projects and conduct staff Research Projects on cutting edge research topics that span the entire spectrum from advanced controls, autonomy, new sensors, revolutionary navigation techniques, emerging communication techniques/protocols, cyber and electronic warfare concepts, battle management algorithms, multi-domain operations, etc.
Qualifications/Requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Must be able to obtain & maintain a Top-Secret Security clearance and be eligible for SCI & SAP access
- Master’s degree in engineering and 10+ years of experience in test
- Must be able to obtain & maintain an APDP Practitioner certification.
- Advanced knowledge of professional instructional systems design principles, techniques, practices, and procedures
- Expert professional knowledge of learning theory and psychology of learning including application of learning theories as it relates to systematic design, development, and validation of instructional programs
- Expert knowledge, skill, and ability to conduct ground and flight instruction of technical theory, modeling and simulation, test planning, test conduct, coordination and supervision, data analysis and evaluation, technical reporting, and administrative aspects of test programs. This includes classroom lectures, simulator sessions, laboratory exercises, test briefings/debriefings, and airborne/live-fly instruction
Please send resumes to: Heather Ash, heather.ash.1@us.af.mil.
ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC HIRING FREEZE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED