About the Role:
The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Flight Sciences Technical Expert (NH-0801-04) to work at the USAF Test Pilot School (USAF TPS) at Edwards AFB.
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. Provides world-class leadership, expertise, and guidance throughout the organization in the areas of instructional systems design, curriculum development and execution, organization and staffing, resourcing, and student evaluation in support of a 48-week Master's Degree program.
Announcement Closes: 7/24/2026
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Typical 2026 salary range: $146,632 - $197,200 per year (includes Locality)
Travel Requirements: Up to three weeks per year
Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department – wide (DoD)
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.
Desired Skills:
- PhD in Aero Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering, and prior teaching experience desired.
- Graduate of a military Test Pilot School desired.
- Flight Test Conductor, Test Director, and/or discipline engineer control room experience and flying experience is desired.
- Active member of a professional organization such as AIAA, SETP, SFTE, ITEA, etc. desired.
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
- Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period
- Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest
- 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 flight-sciences-related flight test.
- Held Leadership roles in a test organization.
- Advanced knowledge of professional instructional systems design principles, techniques, practices, and procedures
- Expert professional knowledge of learning theory and psychology of learning to include 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, 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.
***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/what-to-include
Please send resumes to: Heather Ash, heather.ash.1@us.af.mil
ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC HIRING FREEZE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED