About the Role:
The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Electronics Technician (NJ-0856-03) to work at the 96th Test Wing, 96th Operations Group, 417 Flight Test Squadron, at Eglin Air Force Base.
To serve as an electronics technician performing work requiring the design, development, and adaptation of scientific and engineering methods and techniques for developmental test and evaluation of various weapons systems. The primary functions of the position is fabricating, installing, operations checking, maintaining, trouble shooting, and removing airborne instrumentation/data acquisition equipment used in the developmental testing of C-130 aircraft.
Announcement Closes: 13 Aug 2026.
Location: Niceville, FL (Eglin Air Force Base)
Typical 2026 salary range: $61,722 - $97,087 per year (includes Locality)
Travel Requirements: travel may be required
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.
Desired Skills:
2 years of electronics troubleshooting and repair
2 years of aircraft avionics troubleshooting
2 years flight test experience.
Major Duties:
- Establish detailed mechanical and electrical packaging requirements for flight test instrumentation hardware and software to withstand rigorous flight environments
- Evaluate and select appropriate electrical circuits, sensors (e.g., strain gages, accelerometers, thermocouples, pressure transducers), and data collection equipment to satisfy specific test objectives
- Design, assemble, and build flight-ready instrumentation data collection enclosures and sub-assemblies
- Fabricate and install high-reliability wiring harnesses interfacing directly with aircraft systems and on board flight test instrumentation data acquisition equipment, strictly adhering to TO 1-1A-14 standards and engineering drawings
- Install and integrate custom-fabricated instrumentation equipment onto test aircraft, ensuring flight clearance and structural integrity
- Partner closely with Flight Test Engineers to assist in developing comprehensive test plans, system architectures, and custom equipment designs
- Perform critical preflight instrumentation system checkouts, sensor calibrations, troubleshooting, and scheduled maintenance to guarantee 100% data validity and equipment readiness.
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
- Obtain & maintain Security clearance
- This is a designated Drug Testing Position.
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical
- The work requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver's license is required for the position. This position requires the employee to be qualified for flight line driving.
- Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practical application of sensors and transducers used routinely in instrumentation applications to include; strain gauges, thermocouples, accelerometers and optical devices
- Knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, and maintenance
- Knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, operations, design, characteristics, and functional use of a variety of types and models of electronic equipment and systems related flight test instrumentation.
***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:
POC Names & Emails: Rochele Smith rochele.smith@us.af.mil 883-5610 & Lovena Holcomb lovena.holcomb.1@us.af.mil 882-4717
ADHERENCE TO APPLICABLE HAF/AFMC/AFTC STRATEGIC HIRING GUIDANCE IS REQUIRED