Rocket Test Engineers

Job Overview

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 17 April 2026.

The AFRL Rocket Lab Liquids and Altitude Branch seeks to hire two Rocket Test Engineers at the DR-02/03 level. One position is an engineer for high-altitude test area and the other position is an engineer for a high-pressure cryogenic test area. These positions (Test Area 1-42 and Test Area 2A) are located at the AFRL Rocket Laboratory at Edwards AFB, CA.

For more than 60 years, the AFRL Rocket Laboratory at Edwards AFB has contributed to several technology developments in rocket engines, including those of Saturn, Titan, Space Shuttle, and all major intercontinental ballistic missiles and current space launchers. Today, the site continues to enable technology leaps in hypersonics, solid rocket boosters, in-space propulsion, and liquid rockets for defense and commercial space in support for the Air & Space Forces.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Plans and leads, or assists, major test programs designed to advance or maintain the state-of-the-art of liquid rocket engines and/or solid rocket motors.

• Manages test hardware and facility infrastructure projects designed to support the demonstration of specific technologies.

• Uses commercial and government engineering tools used in the design and analysis of test apparatus, test hardware interfaces, and test results analysis.

• Conducts literature reviews of both research and COTS technologies against application engineering problem statements.

• Prepares feasibility studies and estimates of current capabilities to conduct tests, plans future capabilities, and/or assists others by recommending optimized solutions to meet test objectives.

• Continually reviews results of current projects to ensure satisfactory progress towards defined goals and facilitate optimal information transition of Air Force, Space Force, and DoW test and research results.

• Acts as, or assists, Test Conductor or Test Director in the development of test procedures for solid rocket motor and/or liquid rocket engine testing at multiple AFRL test facilities.

• Interacts with scientists and engineers, both within AFRL and external organizations, to understand, develop, and test technology relevant to rocket propulsion.

• Assists others to conceive and implement agreements with other government agencies, universities, and industry.

• Prepares and/or reviews technical reports, briefings, proposals, journal articles, and symposia presentations.

• Manages and oversees external contractor and internal research programs related to liquid rocket engines and/or solid rocket motors and/or their components at the appropriate level.

• Reports program status, to include, cost, schedule, and performance, to superiors.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

Yes

Required Qualifications

• United States Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain required Secret security clearance.
• Must have two years of experience at the DR-I (GS-11 or equivalent) grade level or one year at the DR-II (GS-12/13 or equivalent) grade level.
• Must have BS or graduate level engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering or equivalent.

Desired Qualifications

• Test experience in either rocket or flight test
• Strong and effective communication skills, including mentoring junior engineers
• Ability to lead teams with diverse skill sets
• Possess familiarity in reviewing results from testing
• Experience creating and/or reviewing drawings, 3D models, technical documentation, and procedures.
• Graduate level engineering degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering or equivalent

Requisition Number 33206

Series

0861