Federal

Chief Test Engineer, SSC/PEO

Space Systems Command ยท Department of the Air Force
๐Ÿ“ Los Angeles County, California NH-4 $146,632 - $197,200/yr
Posted: Mar 11, 2026 Deadline: Mar 18, 2026 (Closed days left)

About This Position

Do not email applications. 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.

Qualifications

The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

Major Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) at Los Angeles AFB, CA is searching for a Chief Test Engineer for SSC/PEO (NH-0801-04, GS-14/15 Equivalent). Description: The chief test engineer oversees the test and evaluation activities of the space sensing programs and provides test expertise to the program offices. The chief test engineer manages the independent test activities for the Space Sensing programs to verify operational safety, suitability, and effectiveness.

The chief test engineer collaborates with the Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) to implement integrated developmental/operational testing of the space sensing programs. If this sounds exciting to you, come join us! Space starts here.

Ideal Candidate: Professional experience in acquisition, engineering, and test; Practitioner certification in Test & Evaluation; Practitioner certification in Engineering; Experience in a DoD test organization conducting system-level testing; Experience in a DoD acquisition program office; Experience in acquisition, operations, or testing of military satellites; Qualified as 801 General Engineer (bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent); Graduate of Test Pilot School or USAF TPS Space Test Course. Effective leader; Ability to build and lead teams; Ability to train new personnel in test & evaluation; Ability to collaborate effectively with external organizations; Customer focus; Warfighter focus; Good communicator (written and oral); Good organizational skills.

  1. 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.
  2. Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, Space Force, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment.
  3. Knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting cycles, financial systems, and restrictions on expenditure of funds.
  4. 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.
  5. Knowledge of and experience in Technical Standards Development, Configuration Control, Digital Engineering implementation, and Systems of Systems Engineering.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

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.

How to Apply

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. PLEASE

NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.

You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Required Documents

Resume: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the salary for the Chief Test Engineer, SSC/PEO position at Space Systems Command?
The salary range for this position is $146,632 - $197,200/yr. This is a NH-4 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Chief Test Engineer, SSC/PEO job located?
This position is located in Los Angeles County, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 18, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Top Secret clearance is required.
What does NH-4 mean?
NH-4 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.