Test and Evaluation Engineer-Direct Hire Authority

Department of the Air Force

Edwards AFB, California; Eglin AFB, Florida; ... Full-time $89,508 – $138,370 Closes Jul 30, 2026

Summary

Veterans’ preference does not apply to DHA recruitment. Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below for more information. The primary purpose of this position is to: Test and evaluate state-of-the-art weapon systems and cyber capabilities, provide quality installation and mission support, and serve as responsible stewards of our resources to deliver war-winning capabilities.

Duties

  • Serves as a ground and/or airborne test engineer for the 96OG as a test engineer the major responsibilities include test planning, conduct and reporting on various types of ground air-to-air and/or air-to-ground test programs.
  • Plans and carries out the collection and analysis of information, data, and standards used by the assigned organization to perform test engineering tasks.
  • Carries out special projects designed to facilitate full use of the incumbents training and development.
  • Keeps abreast of emerging technologies and professional developments to maintain currency in the field and for application to work assignments.

Education

Basic Qualification Requirement: You must meet one of the following qualification requirements by the closing date and provide documentation to support your qualifications (If you are using education to qualify, failure to submit the required documentation will result in you being rated ineligible. See sections on “College Transcripts” and “Foreign Education” below for required documentation.): A. Degree: Have a Bachelor’s Degree in professional engineering from a curriculum (1) in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineer curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (beyond 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. OR B. Education/Experience: Have a combination of education and experience–college level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences, and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1. Professional Registration. Have current registration as a professional engineer. 2. Written Test. Have evidence of successfully passing the written test required for professional registration or have successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination and have completed all the requirements for either (a) a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology (BET) from an accredited college or university that included 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences, or (b) a BET from a program accredited by ABET. 3. Specified Academic Courses. Have successfully completed at least 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of courses in the Physical, Mathematical, and Engineering sciences and in Engineering that included the courses specified in “A” above. 4. Related Curriculum. Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) Basic Qualification Supporting Documentation. This position has a specific education requirement. You must submit the appropriate documentation in accordance with the response selected in the assessments:Copy of college transcripts If you are a current federal employee in the GS-800 series as an engineer, you may submit your most recent SF-50 in lieu of college transcripts Complete college course list* Professional engineer license Training plan, performance appraisal and/or letter from Professional Engineer Supervisor – Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering type experience. If you are using a related curriculum to qualify, failure to submit the following documentation will result in you being rated ineligible. You must submit a legible copy of your training plan, performance appraisal and/or a letter from your Professional Engineer Supervisor. Failure to provide the appropriate documentation will result in an ineligible rating. If selected, you will be required to provide an original/official copy of your documentation before entering on duty. *Complete list of all college courses must identify: college or university attended, course title/number taken, semester or quarter hours earned, grade and grade-point received. Transcripts must reflect receipt of degree and date degree was awarded, if applicable. To receive credit for foreign education, you must provide proof that the education has been evaluated by an organization specializing in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs.

Required Documents

  • The following documents are required and must be provided with your application.
  • Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration.
  • Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming.
  • Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.
  • Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts.
  • You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable.
  • Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply".
  • Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
  • ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release
  • Or discharge date.
  • Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave.
  • At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.
  • Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position.
  • The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following:
  • Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active
  • Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty
  • Terminal leave start date (if applicable)
  • Expected character of service/discharge and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement)
  • Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge
  • Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The
  • VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a
  • DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt.

About this role

The Test and Evaluation Engineer-Direct Hire Authority position and is based in Edwards AFB, California. Veterans' preference does not apply to DHA recruitment.

Day to day, the role serves as a ground and/or airborne test engineer for the 96OG as a test engineer the major responsibilities include test planning, conduct and reporting on various types of ground air-to-air and/or air-to-ground test programs. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.

Who should apply

Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what federal engineering experience this Test and Evaluation Engineer-Direct Hire Authority position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Test and Evaluation Engineer-Direct Hire Authority position in Edwards AFB, California, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.

How competitive it is

Competitiveness for this Test and Evaluation Engineer-Direct Hire Authority role depends mainly on how closely applicants match the stated qualifications. Based in Edwards AFB, California, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings.

This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.

Job Details

Department Department of the Air Force
Job Type Full-time
Location Edwards AFB, California; Eglin AFB, Florida; ...
Salary $89,508 – $138,370
Pay Period Per Year
Closing Date Jul 30, 2026
Posted Jun 30, 2026
Source ID AFMC-080103-12996172
Ready to apply? This application is hosted on the official USAJOBS site.
Apply Now ↗
← Back to all Jobs