Chief Engineer, Space-based Weather Systems Branch

About the role

To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

What you will do

• The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) System Delta 810 (SYD 810) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California is searching for a Chief Engineer, Space-based Weather Systems Branch (NH-0801-04, GS 14/15 equivalent).
• Description: If you are ready to shape the future of environmental intelligence from orbit, come join us-space starts here!
• As the Chief Engineer for the Space-Based Weather Systems branch, you will serve as the chief technical authority driving the design, development, and fielding of next-generation Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) capabilities through two high-stakes, ACAT-I research and development programs: the $948M Weather System Follow-on (WSF) and the $958M EO/IR Weather System (EWS).
• In this critical leadership role, you will direct end-to-end systems planning-spanning design, manufacturing, and sustainment of cutting-edge microwave operational and EO/IR prototype systems-while providing authoritative technical guidance and strategic briefings directly to Government program managers.
• By actively interfacing with diverse organizations across SYD 810 and the broader Space Systems Command (SSC), you will champion system performance, reliability, and maintainability, steering these vital national security assets successfully into the 2030s.
• The ideal candidate is a highly motivated, self-starting Guardian holding at least a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (with a Master's highly desired) and a DAWIA Level III certification in Systems Engineering, backed by a deep knowledge of space satellite systems engineering processes, Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) processes, Middle Tier Acquisitions, and current DoD, USSF, and SSC engineering regulations and technical standards.
• This highly collaborative professional will possess the technical acumen to critically assess contractor progress toward system build, integration, and test completion, while seamlessly interfacing with directorate engineering staff and prime contractor technical teams.
• Furthermore, they must excel at advising leadership on the latest technical standards, synthesizing complex contractor data into comprehensive progress reports, and independently drafting high-level, authoritative technical documents-including Systems Engineering Plans (SEP), Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMP), and cybersecurity reports-on behalf of the branch chief and materiel leader.
• Key Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of a wide range of advanced multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and techniques to apply experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, and to plan and execute specialized programs of marked difficulty, responsibility, and significance.
• Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoW, Air Force, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment, and knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting cycles, financial systems, and restrictions on expenditure of funds.
• Knowledge of and skill in 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.
• Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships, building consensus and coalitions, negotiating, and resolving conflicts with a variety of individuals and organizations as well as communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions and staff of a small to medium sized organization.
• Ability to expertly and effectively communicate, verbal, and written, formally (to include briefing) and informally across a broad spectrum of technical engineering disciplines Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of an organization, and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff 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.

How you will be evaluated

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled.

Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted.

If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Documents you must provide

• You must submit a resume that 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 exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable.
• Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
• If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy.
• Your resume must provide: Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information: Job title Detailed duties and accomplishments Employer's name and address Supervisor's name and phone number Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.) Hours per week Salary, if applicable Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

What to expect next

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.