GENERAL ENGINEER-DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY_

Summary The Air Force offers qualified applicants opportunities to be hired for certain occupations covered by Direct Hire Authorities (DHA). The use of DHA is a fast-track method of hiring applicants from the public with no prior federal status using a non-traditional method of recruitment. To find additional information on "What Is DHA" and to view and/or apply to current DHA opportunities listed on Air Force Civilian Service's "Direct Hire Job Board", please click here. Responsibilities For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here. The fundamental mission of the NC3 Sustainment Division (AFNWC/NCL) is to sustain, modify, sustain, test, certify, field, and modernize the vital National Security communications used to connect the most senior leadership of the United States in times of crisis. This unique system of systems is a significant component of the strategic deterrent to nuclear attack against the United States. It ensures all three legs of America's nuclear triad are "Never Doubted - Always Feared". DUTIES: Advise on technical design of RF terminals, interfacing baseband components, and associated platform integration including systems engineering trade studies and analyses, technical and programmatic requirements, design verification, specification development, and modeling & simulation of interfaces during the development, production, and sustainment phases of the product life cycle. Review technical documents from both contractor and Government Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) such as Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) item deliverables, test plans and reports, Failure Reporting, Analysis, and Corrective Action System (FRACAS) data/reports, trend reports, technical requirements and specifications, and deficiency reporting, investigation, and resolution. Analyze technical data and provide recommendations to program leadership (examples include): RF system architecture, software and hardware component architecture, integrated circuitry and real time processor design, electrical and mechanical interfaces, radiation hardening, environmental qualifications, reliability, maintainability and availability data, maintenance and operations concepts, technical orders and training systems, user interface and human systems integration, program protection and systems security engineering, test instrumentation, etc. Engage in Digital Engineering concept planning, design and development, integration, testing and verification. Develop technical solutions to challenges encountered throughout the sustainment process. Integrate efforts with extended and geographically dispersed stakeholders which may include subject matter experts from across the AFNWC, other Air Force and Space Force organizations, U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), U.S. Navy organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Center (UARCs), and other stakeholder representatives to ensure nuclear C3 enterprise activities are successfully planned, coordinated, and executed. Prepare and present briefings, reports, action plans, etc., to communicate findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders. Brief and engage senior leadership via delivery of presentations on program status, accomplishments, problems/analysis/solutions, requirements for support and/or promotion of program objectives. SKILLS: Strong background in applying systems engineering principles to NC3 systems to include radios, radio frequency (RF) networks, or other communications systems highly desired Experience with test plans, procedures, and reports; support of hardware qualification activities, risk management; development and documentation of electronic and electrical system requirements; and configuration management activities is highly desired. Experience in systems engineering, integration, and test of complex communications systems and large scale system of systems with a diverse set of stakeholders across organizational boundaries desired. Technical management and IPT Leadership experience desired. NC3 and/or nuclear mission domain experience desired. Experience with requirements management, commercial systems engineering tools, MBSE and digital engineering concepts and systems implementation desired. Ability to organize work, set priorities; determine goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinate with other organizations; monitor progress and evaluate outcomes. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and to communicate effectively with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing. Experience with acquisition, design, development, operation, and/or life cycle sustainment of a product/system with complex engineering and management challenges is highly desired. Senior Developmental Education and Technical Master's Degree is highly desired. Electrical, Electronics/RF/Communications, Computer, Software and Systems Engineering degrees highly desired. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here. In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards. Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions: pm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of a wide range of multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, standards, methods, techniques, material, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services. Knowledge of development engineering methodologies sufficient to apply experimental theories and/ or new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment. Knowledge of systems engineering practices and procedures as they pertain to sustainment, modification, logistics, and production management principles, concepts, policies, and systems. Knowledge of the principles of planning and program management; of standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and other engineering disciplines used in support of sustainment, modification, and maintenance programs. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches; to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes; and to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, form conclusions, and devise and recommend solutions to problems. Education Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Additional Information Please note: Positions in this field/series may or may not be available, depending on current manning. 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