Mission Systems Division Chief

OPEN TO ALL CURRENT DAF CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES ONLY.

This announcement will be accepting candidates until 11:59 PM, CDT, 12 Jun 2026.

The Mission Systems Division Chief serves as a senior leader responsible for directing, planning, and executing a diverse portfolio of programs to discover, develop, integrate, and transition affordable guidance, navigation, communications, ISR, electronic warfare, open system architecture, and data fusion capabilities to ensure warfighters win again, again, and again in Air Warfare. This position provides executive-level oversight across multiple functional areas and ensures alignment with organizational priorities, mission objectives, and statutory requirements. The incumbent leads a multidisciplinary workforce and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact results.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide strategic leadership, vision, and direction for a division responsible for ensuring mission execution and organizational effectiveness
• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, programs, and initiatives that support enterprise goals
• Lead and manage a diverse team of supervisors, specialists, analysts, and technical experts
• Establish contribution expectations and foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Allocate resources, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational standards
• Drive the translation of directorate mission and vision into executable strategies by providing critical guidance and input during high-level meetings and working groups
• Identify risks, assess impacts, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure operational resilience and mission continuity
• Drive data-informed decision-making and champion process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
• Drive teaming across AFRL, forging and guiding dynamic coalitions with partner organizations, stakeholders, and external agencies to accelerate mission outcomes
• Oversee development of long-range plans, strategic roadmaps, and workforce strategies to meet emerging mission needs
• Foster a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning to build, grow, and maintain the deep, multi-disciplinary expertise essential for a premier lab mission

• US Citizenship.

• Must possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree from an accredited academic institution.

• Must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-14/DR-03 or equivalent grade level. Specialized experience is experience in working independently, leading multi-functional teams, leading multi-agency collaboration, working in teams and using these approaches to find and solve complex problems, briefing large groups, leading process improvement, and developing long-term strategies.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

• This position is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level II Non-Critical certification in Science and Technology Management (STM). The selectee will have 24 months to meet APDP requirements or a waiver must be obtained. Applicants for this position must list any acquisition certifications and status as an acquisition corps member in their resume.

• Master’s Degree or PhD is preferred.

• At least one year of prior supervisory experience.

• Experience working with the Department of Defense research community.

• Ability to cultivate and sustain a professional environment of cooperation, cohesion, and teamwork.

Requisition Number 15405