Lead General Engineer 12/17/25 - 1/9/26
**IMPORTANT**
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- If you submit a resume that is more than 2 pages, you may receive an error message. Please submit no more than a 2-page resume to be considered.
- Provide all academic degrees, professional military education and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume.
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) is seeking a full-time Lead General Engineer to work in the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Systems Directorate, Sentinel Systems Division at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
This position (986673) is an NH-0801-04, which has a typical 2025 salary range of $124,531 – $190,424.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as the Sentinel Lead Systems Engineer.
DUTIES:
- Serves as the Sentinel Systems Engineer and technical advisor for the Sentinel Integration Segment to lead, define, manage, and integrate efforts associated with: Systems Engineering, Integration, Enterprise Combined Test Management, Weapon System Effectiveness, Weapon System Certification, and Specialty Engineering functions.
- Apply appropriate systems engineering discipline and broad engineering knowledge in interpreting and flowing-down capability needs/requirements, evaluating design approaches/trades, and test/verification and production strategies to delivery of operational capability within limitations imposed by life cycle cost, schedule, and performance priorities, to include and support requirements.
- Ensures continued Operational Safety, Suitability & Effectiveness (OSS&E) or provides necessary information to those responsible for OSS&E, on assigned fielded systems. Lead technical planning for new developments. Apply advanced theories, concepts, and principles to develop and apply new engineering processes and technical approaches that improve mission success and/or system performance.
- Continually assesses contractor's efforts, performance progress, and resolution of technical problems. Conduct technical reviews. Investigate and recommend appropriate action concerning the need to redirect engineering efforts, pursue additional lines of development, and/or changes to requirements.
- Ensures successful integration of subsystems into functional operational systems. Evaluates technical risks, make independent technical decisions and/or recommend sound technical options to optimize system performance to best satisfy operational needs and weapon system objectives.
- Provides technical and engineering direction, advice and oversight/development of engineering policies, procedures, and guidelines supporting the Sentinel Division and SEIT Branch.
- Works with the Sentinel Integration IPT Chief, Sentinel Chief Engineer, other Sentinel Lead Engineers, and the Director of Engineering to ensure the science and engineering team is aligned with the needs of the directorate and provide the most responsive capability and backbone of nuclear deterrence.
Experience:
- At least eight (8) years of relevant technical experience is highly desired to perform this critical Systems Engineering role. Specialized experience at the NH-04 or equivalent grade as a Chief Engineer or Lead Systems Engineer; nuclear experience is highly preferred.
- A minimum of 4 years of experience leading and/or managing teams; ability to plan, organize and direct the functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of an organization through subordinate supervisors as well as analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources.
- Experience in defense weapon system and nuclear weapon system development, especially experience related to Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) is highly desired.
Ability: Demonstrated accomplishment relative to a subject matter, to apply concepts, synthesize, and make decisions
- Advanced multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, equipment, and of system engineering and efforts required to achieve and preserve OSS&E in systems or end-items.
- Analyze, plan and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program objectives and requirements within available resources.
Skill: Demonstrated experience to process, translate, interpret, and apply a subject matter
- Evaluating state-of-the-art and advancements in theory, application, technology, and policy affecting systems being developed, and in planning, organizing, and directing the functions and staff in critical aspects of development, production, and/or support of systems, subsystems, or equipment.
- Multi-functional, dynamic engineering teams with diverse stakeholders, establishing and maintaining effective relationships, building consensus and coalitions, negotiating, and resolving conflicts with individuals and groups from diverse organizations and backgrounds as well as communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
Knowledge: An understanding of the ideas, concepts, principles, theories, and techniques
- Mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment.
- Implementation of the government acquisition process as defined by the Defense Acquisition University and in accordance with DoDI 5000.02, Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION (NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE):
U.S. CITIZENSHIP
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance and required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
- This is a Critical Engineering Position (CEP). Candidates must meet the minimum core criteria at the Chief Engineer level per AFMC Instruction 62-202, Criteria for Critical Engineering Positions, 13 November 2023.
- To qualify as an Engineer, employee must meet the education and specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
- A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution is required; an advanced engineering degree, such as a Master’s or a PhD is preferred.
- This position is designated as a drug testing position. The incumbent is subjected to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing thereafter.
- Employee must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification category within required timeframe after appointment.
- In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, employee may be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
- Work may occasionally require travel away from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft.
HOW TO APPLY:
- When applying at the link below, please use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
- Click here to apply: https://afcs.experience.crmforce.mil/s/registration?jobId=a05Rw000003n1HNIAY by Midnight Eastern Time, 9 JANUARY 2026. Complete your application and upload your resume and any additional documents (e.g., unofficial transcripts, certifications, cover letters, etc.).
**IMPORTANT**
- Please submit your resume and supporting documents in MS Word or PDF format.
- If using Microsoft Word, you must use 2018 or a more recent version, as MS Word 97-2003 documents are no longer viewable on Department of Defense computer systems.
- Your resume is key to evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities; be clear and specific when describing experience to improve your chances of getting an interview.
- Permanent Change of Station (PCS) will be covered. Recruitment incentives and or relocation costs might be offered upon review of qualifications, and other significant factors.
- If you have questions about this position or about the application process, please contact AFNWC Talent Acquisition at afnwc.dpd.talentacquisitions@us.af.mil .
- To find all current job and internship opportunities at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, visit the AFNWC webpage at: https://www.afnwc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/.
- To receive additional information about current and future job openings with AFCS via email notification, please subscribe at www.Afciviliancareers.com and sign up to “Get Career Updates.”
U.S. citizenship required. AFCS is Equal Opportunity Employer. Must be of legal working age.