About the Role:
The 896 Test Support Squadron (896TSS) is looking for a Full-Time Lead Electronics Technician (NJ-856-03) to work at the 96 Test Wing, 96 Range Group, 896 Test Support Squadron, Flightline Support at Eglin. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Instrumentation & Test Technician to join our dynamic team. The primary purpose of this position is to lead and perform critical technical work in the design, evaluation, and maintenance of advanced T-2 instrumentation for airborne weapon systems and electronic platforms. Supporting VENOM as a technical leader, you will be responsible for instrumentation, from initial design and fabrication to mission execution, data analysis, and system repair. This role is essential for ensuring the accuracy, reliability, and success of critical flight test programs in a variety of environmental, field, and laboratory conditions.
96TH TEST WING MISSION: We test and evaluate state-of-the-art weapon systems, provide quality installation and mission support, and serve as responsible stewards of our resources to deliver war-winning capabilities. 96th RANGE GROUP MISSION: Operates and maintains the Eglin Test and Training Complex by providing range instrumentation, infrastructure, facilities, and technical expertise to support fielding of war winning capabilities for the warfighter. 896 TEST SUPPORT SQUADRON MISSION: Designs, installs, and supports unique airborne instrumentation to generate decision quality data in support of Developmental Test and Evaluation.
Announcement Length/Closes: 1 Month
Location: Eglin AFB, Florida
Typical 2026 salary range: $ 74,678-$97,087 per year (includes Locality)
Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department – wide (DoD)
Desired Skills:
• Possesses 7 years of comprehensive experience in T-2 modification, covering airborne flight test instrumentation, installations, procedures, and laboratory system mock-ups with precise calibration and performance validation desired.
• Brings 7 years of direct, hands-on flightline experience with the electronics and avionics systems of fighter aircraft, aerial targets, and unmanned drone platforms desired.
• Demonstrates excellent organizational and communication skills, with a strong ability to read and interpret complex technical reports, schematics, and project documentation desired.
Major Duties:
• Direct Mission Support: Provide hands-on mission support by installing, calibrating, and conducting functional status checks of airborne instrumentation on a diverse range of platforms, including aircraft, weapon systems, aerial targets, and drones.
• System Evaluation & Analysis: Performs technical work in support of evaluating airborne weapon systems and various electronic, electro-mechanical, or electro-optical systems through scientific analysis, measurement, and testing.
• Specialized Instrumentation Design: Designs specialized instrumentation required to accurately measure and record critical test parameters across a range of airborne environmental, field, and laboratory conditions.
• System Calibration & Validation: Executes comprehensive calibration, checkout, and performance validation of instrumentation equipment, particularly during T-2 modification installations, applying expert knowledge of aircraft systems.
• Modification & Maintenance: Proactively modifies and maintains existing instrumentation systems to support the specific requirements of proposed and ongoing flight test programs, ensuring systems are always mission ready.
• Advanced Diagnostics & Repair: Performs rapid diagnostic procedures to identify the root cause of system malfunctions and is responsible for initiating and completing complex repairs to maintain operational availability.
• Custom Interface Engineering: Designs and fabricates unique test interfaces and specialized cabling for the calibration and troubleshooting of advanced T-2 modification systems, such as video recorders, solid-state recorders, weapons function monitors, and various data collection platforms.
• Collaboration: Works closely with the supervising Aircraft Systems Engineer to ensure all instrumentation systems consistently meet performance requirements and effectively support critical mission objectives.
• System Evaluation & Analysis: Performs technical work in support of evaluating airborne weapon systems and various electronic, electro-mechanical, or electro-optical systems through scientific analysis, measurement, and testing.
Qualifications/Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship
Obtain & maintain Security clearance: Secret
This is a designated Drug Testing Position
Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical
Travel if more than occasional (Approximately 20 days per year)
Ability to design, fabricate, install and maintain specialized instrumentation systems which measure and record test parameters in a variety of environmental, field, or laboratory conditions.
Skill in the interpretation of technical data such as drawings, schematics, blueprints, and specifications of complete electronic systems.
Ability to perform calibration and troubleshooting for installed instrumentation systems, including video recording, digital data recording, weapon function monitoring, and other data collection systems.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.
***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: Robert M Watson_robert.watson.6@us.af.mil_850-882-2749
ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC HIRING FREEZE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED