Senior Mechanical/Aerospace Engineer

Job Overview

This position is open to all qualified U.S. citizens.

This job announcement will be accepting candidates until 1 May 2026. Qualified candidates who respond to this announcement will be considered for this position.

The Air Warfare Directorate, Eglin AFB, FL seeks to hire a DR-0830-03, Senior Mechanical Engineer and/or DR-0861-03, Senior Aerospace Engineer.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: The candidate must be proficient in either aerospace or mechanical engineering with specialized experience in artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques applied to groups of autonomous platforms operating in dynamic environments, developing the theory, algorithms, and network typologies to enable collaborative swarms.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• 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.
• Performs expert-level professional engineering and/or scientific work, applying expertise to support the acquisition, development, or sustainment of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.
• This role requires a mastery of innovative engineering practices to identify, analyze, and resolve issues in a manner consistent with program objectives.
• Independently defining research objectives, developing and evaluating alternatives, and conducting analyses to document findings as related to artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques applied to groups of autonomous platforms operating in dynamic environments, developing the theory, algorithms, and network typologies to enable collaborative swarms.
• Demonstrating creativity and foresight by preparing and presenting detailed technical reports and briefings on new concepts and future technology requirements.
• Collaborating and consulting with the Air Force, other government agencies, Department of Defense, and academic and industry partners.
• Promoting a culture where Intellectual Property (IP) is developed, documented, and protected, and assisting in its transfer, transition, or commercialization.

Telework

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

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise; employee must be able to obtain and maintain a top-secret security clearance. This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent will be subject to random testing.
• At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS‑13 DO/DR‑02; or equivalent experience in other pay systems.
• This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The successful candidate must have the ability to attain the level of Practitioner in APDP Engineering and Technical Management (N). Applicants for this position must list any acquisition certifications in resume.
• Must file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• This position may be filled under multiple occupational series. Applicants are required to meet all OPM Qualification Standard requirements for the applicable occupational series and grade.

Desired Qualifications

• Applies several diverse engineering practices, techniques, and processes to identify and resolve issues, as well as ensure resolutions are consistent with program objectives, existing policies, and procedures.
• Determines how best to accomplish multi-disciplinary engineering objectives, develops and evaluates alternatives, designs and conducts experiments, analyzes and interpret results, publishes papers and technical reports, delivers presentations of results.
• Conducts novel research and transforms concepts into functioning prototypes to demonstrate feasibility and effectiveness of new and emerging AI/ML techniques applied to autonomy, guidance and control.
• Collaborates with researchers and engineers inside and outside of AFRL to create and develop algorithms, methods, and solutions for improving the performance of autonomy, guidance and control capabilities through the application of AI/ML.
• Communicates ideas, concepts, and prototypes effectively through written and oral mediums.
• Supports or manages R&D programs with internal and external contractors and academia.
• Performs duties in a responsive, professional manner consistent with established policies and procedures.
• Prepares contractual documents, technical reports, and/or evaluate technical proposals if needed.
• Maintains a technical and programmatic cognizance of outside technological and research projects and programs; reports status to peers and senior technical leaders as required.
• Organizes, manages and participates in workshops and technical exchange meetings as required.
• Actively pursues training, both formal and informal, in aerospace and controls related fields.

Additional Information

Requisition Number 39004

Series

0830

0861