AFNWC holds virtual hiring event for engineering roles

  • Published
  • By Aimee Malone
  • Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center recently conducted a virtual hiring event to recruit engineers for its locations at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
 
The event focused on recruiting mechanical, electronics and general engineers to fill multiple open positions at the two bases. These openings included positions in the Minuteman III Systems Directorate, Nuclear Technology and Integration Directorate, and Sentinel Systems Directorate.
 
While applicants applied for the open positions using many different platforms, the interview process was conducted a little differently than usual. This time, applicants were invited to participate in the hiring event on Zoom.
 
During his welcome video, Maj. Gen. John Newberry, AFNWC commander, told the applicants the center needs dedicated, accomplished team members to complete its mission.
 
“Nuclear deterrence is the highest priority mission of the Department of Defense,” Newberry said. “The current global security environment has reinforced the enduring importance of nuclear deterrence to global stability. We need accomplished individuals – like you – to meet our mission requirements.”
 
Afterward, applicants participated in interviews with prospective hiring supervisors.
 
In a second video, Joseph Oder, executive director of AFNWC, thanked the applicants for taking the time to attend and learn more about the center’s mission to deliver nuclear capabilities warfighters use every day to deter and assure.
 
“It is my honor, along with the entire civilian workforce, to serve side by side with our military service members in this incredibly important mission,” Oder said.
 
Applicants then moved to open question-and-answer sessions with AFNWC recruiters.
 
More than 60 participated in the virtual hiring event. After the event, 32 applicants and 22 hiring supervisors were asked to provide their preferences based on the results from the interviews. Matches were made, and hiring supervisors reached out to the applicants with intent-to-hire letters. As of Aug. 1, 17 letters of intent were sent.
 
“The virtual hiring event offered our team a great opportunity to explain our requirements and hiring processes to a large group of people at one time,” said Jeanette Padilla, director of the Manpower and Personnel Directorate. “In addition, applicants had the opportunity ask questions that they may not have been comfortable bringing up in a traditional formal interview.”
 
While it is too soon to tell how many positions will be filled through the event, Padilla said it was a valuable experience and the recruiters hope to repeat the event in the future.
 
AFNWC is the nuclear-focused center within Air Force Materiel Command synchronizing all aspects of nuclear materiel management on behalf of the AFMC commander and in direct support of Air Force Global Strike Command. The center has more than 2,000 military and civilian personnel at 20 locations worldwide.
 
Information about current openings and upcoming hiring events can be found online at https://www.afnwc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/.