About the Role:
The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Systems Development Engineer to work at the 96 Test Wing System Safety Office (96 TW/SES) at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.
96TH TEST WING MISSION: We test and evaluate state-of-the-art weapon systems and cyber capabilities, provide quality installation and mission support, and serve as responsible stewards of our resources to deliver war-winning capabilities. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the 96 Test Wing technical expert on the subject of systems safety engineering, providing key technical leadership for the Test Wing in assuring safety of new and modified weapons designs. The 96TW director of engineering has certified expert qualifications requirements for this position.
Announcement Length/Closes: 30 calendar days
Location: Eglin Air Force Base, FL
Typical 2025 salary range: $125,776 - $192,331per year (includes Locality)
Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department – wide (DoD)
Desired Skills:
- 5 years experience performing system safety analysis for conventional weapon systems
- 5 years experience working with joint, national, and international teams in the areas of system safety or weapon acquisition
- Demonstrated ability leading and mentoring engineering teams
Major Duties:
- Administer and enforce a structured system safety process across multiple simultaneous projects, ensuring lifecycle compliance and effective prioritization.
- Serve as a key technical advisor during major program reviews, source selections, and milestone events for assigned weapon systems.
- Provide expert technical guidance to program offices and developers on weapon system safety, including design viability, failure modes, hazard classifications, and risk‑reduction strategies.
- Lead and mentor engineers across specialized functional areas (fuzing, propulsion, energetics, avionics, warheads, etc.) to ensure technical excellence and consistent execution.
- Serve as acting System Safety Technical Director when required, providing leadership continuity and high‑level technical oversight.
- Resolve highly complex technical problems, including those involving emerging technologies or novel system designs.
- Represent the organization in high‑level DoD, interservice, NATO, and international forums, shaping joint safety policy and advocating Air Force needs.
- Address obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources, guiding teams in mitigating impacts on design, verification, and sustainment.
Qualifications/Requirements:
-U.S. Citizenship
-Obtain & maintain TOP SECRET (TS) security clearance
-This is a designated Drug Testing Position
-Requires a bachelors degree in engineering from an accredited college or university.
-Obtain & maintain Engineering & Technical Management Practitioner DAWIA Certification
-Subject to travel approximately 30 days per year
-Experience in safety analysis and the application of specific analytical tools directly related to conventional munition systems
-Knowledge of weapons systems development, qualification, and test in all phases of the acquisition process.
-Ability to develop a consensus across highly diverse and complex technical views, and to diplomatically and effectively represent a singular and oft times unpopular viewpoint that can have high liability potential for Commanders and the Air Force in general
***Resumes limited to two pages. Federal agencies now only accept resumes up to two pages in length.*** Learn more about the new resume requirements at https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit.
Please send resumes to:
Mike Hernandez, michael.hernandez.5@us.af.mil, Hiring Mgr.
ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC HIRING FREEZE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED