Responsibilities:

Position Overview

Provides comprehensive engineering and systems engineering support to U.S. Air Force and joint service weapon system programs across the system life cycle. Supports development, integration, airworthiness, safety, sustainment, and modernization of aircraft systems, subsystems, and equipment. Acts as an engineering advisor to Government program offices, ensuring disciplined Life Cycle Systems Engineering (LCSE), Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E), and compliance with applicable DoD and Air Force policies, standards, and directives.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Specialized Experience and Education: None beyond general contract requirements (see Section 3.1.1 of the governing PWS or contract). 

Key Responsibilities

Engineering and Technical Support

• Apply DoD, Air Force, and standard engineering and scientific principles to improve performance, sustainability, and supportability of existing and future Air Force and joint weapon systems.
• Translate user and operational requirements into system, subsystem, and equipment requirements to support design, development, fabrication, test, evaluation, and deployment. 
• Perform technical and mission analyses, system concept development, and trade-off studies for proposed designs and modifications. 
• Provide rapid-response engineering support to identify issues, assess impacts, and develop corrective actions for critical supportability and performance problems. 

Airworthiness, Safety, and OSS&E

• Apply MIL-HDBK-516C Airworthiness Certification Criteria to aircraft systems and subsystems. 
• Support System Integrity Programs, including MECSIP, Critical Safety Item (CSI) identification and maintenance, and airworthiness certification monitoring for mission partner aircraft. 
• Execute AFPD 62-6, USAF Airworthiness, and associated AFIs and Airworthiness Bulletins through standardized processes and flight authorization issuance. 
• Support system safety engineering activities, including mishap risk assessments, safety analyses, evaluation of contractor safety data, and resolution of high-priority safety issues. 
• Assist in establishing, maintaining, and reporting OSS&E baselines, metrics, and compliance throughout the system life cycle. 

Systems Engineering and Life Cycle Support

• Support LCSE processes across development, production, sustainment, and modification phases. 
• Assist in implementation and execution of the Systems Engineering Plan (SEP) and identify gaps requiring corrective action. 
• Participate in value stream mapping and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO21) initiatives to improve engineering processes and performance. 
• Translate production and operational needs into design, fabrication, and testing objectives; assess manufacturing readiness, suitability, reliability, and installation feasibility. 

Program Documentation and Reviews

• Develop, review, and support engineering and acquisition documentation, including but not limited to: 
  • ICD, CDD/ORD, CPD, CONOPS 
  • SRD, System Specifications, RFPs 
  • SEP, TEMP, ATPs, PESHE 
  • Technology assessments, transition plans, and readiness assessments (TRA, MRA) 
  • Configuration, data, and risk management plans 
  • Security, information assurance, spectrum, and survivability documentation 
• Prepare technical inputs for staff summary packages, executive briefings, and milestone decision documentation.
• Support and participate in technical reviews and program events, including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FCA, PCA, PRR, PMR, TIMs, and other working groups. 

Configuration, Risk, and Change Management

• Support configuration management, data management, and risk management processes. 
• Analyze and evaluate equipment and software deficiencies; recommend and support corrective actions and solution integration. 
• Evaluate contractor and OEM proposals, including ECPs, CCPs, ACSNs, DMSMS actions, FAA bulletins, and modification proposals. 
• Support development and evaluation of IMPs, IMSs, SEDS, and engineering cost estimates. 
• Provide advisory support to Government source selections on engineering-related requirements. 

Systems Engineer-Specific Responsibilities

In addition to the duties above, Systems Engineers shall:

• Support development, procurement, sustainment, and modification of aircraft systems, subsystems, components, and equipment. 
• Provide expertise in systems design and integration, manufacturing, quality, industrial engineering, airworthiness, and configuration/data management. 
• Develop and maintain systems engineering documentation, including specifications, system requirements documents, and SEPs. 
• Translate Government requirements into prime contractor and subcontractor engineering documentation, ensuring consistent application of systems engineering processes. 
• Provide technical guidance across design, integration, test, certification, and deployment activities. 
• Identify aircraft and spectrum certification requirements and support approval processes to achieve and maintain compliance.
   

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of Air Force acquisition, systems engineering, and airworthiness processes. 
• Familiarity with DoD and USAF engineering directives, MIL standards, and certification criteria. 
• Experience supporting technical reviews, safety programs, and OSS&E compliance. 
• Ability to analyze complex engineering data and communicate findings to technical and executive stakeholders. 
• Proficiency in configuration, risk, and data management practices within defense acquisition programs.

Disclaimer "The responsibilities and duties outlined in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this role. However, they are not exhaustive and may be subject to change or modification at any time to meet the evolving needs of the organization.

Required Qualifications

• BS/MS degree in an ABET-accredited engineering discipline (http://www.abet.org).
• Advanced Degree (Master of Arts (MA) / Master of Science (MS)) and twelve (12) years of experience in the respective technical / professional discipline being performed, five (5) years of which must be in the DoD
• OR, BA/BS degree, and fifteen (15) years of experience in the respective technical/professional discipline being performed, five (5) of which must be in the DoD
• Apply an understanding of DoD, AF, and common engineering/scientific principles, processes, and procedures to improve performance and sustainability of existing and future AF and joint service weapon systems.
• Independently demonstrate proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Skype/Lync), Adobe Acrobat, and applications for access to the world wide web including Microsoft Internet Explorer.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the required level. U.S. Citizenship.