Test and Experimentation Lead

Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 4 October 2024.

As part of AFRL's Directed Energy, Space Electro-Optics Division, the Starfire Optical Range (SOR) is a vital resource in achieving the Department of the Air Force's mission to operate freely in space. This world-class research facility is located on a hilltop 1,900 meters (6,240 feet) above sea level at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. SOR's primary mission is to develop optical sensing, imaging, and atmospheric compensation technologies to support Space Domain Awareness missions.

This facility is the world leader in research for laser-beacon adaptive optics for military uses and civilian applications, and technologies originating at SOR are regularly proliferated across the world-wide astronomical community. It is a major component of the Air Force Research Laboratory's support to the U.S. Space Force.

SOR is a tight-knit team of professional military, civil service, and contractor personnel. The nature of the work necessitates willingness to learn and adopt institutional knowledge driven by the unique, cutting-edge technologies developed at SOR. New employees are onboarded in technical areas that are within their ability to learn and understand, and in line with mission needs. New employees are expected to actively shadow and learn from more senior government personnel until gaining the necessary knowledge to independently contribute to mission needs. In line with the AFRL Lab Demo personnel management system (ref. AFRLMAN 36-104), new employees can expect to contribute to a variety of tasks ranging across Problem-Solving, Communications, Technology Management, and Teamwork and Leadership, enabling whole-person individual growth while executing duties to develop state-of-the-art capabilities for the Department of Defense.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Expected to be part of a team and learn from world-class senior scientists and engineers
• Manage testing and programmatic aspects of basic and applied laboratory research and engineering activities
• Lead internal system test preparation and executio
• Interface with external customers to provide test and experimentation suppor
• Participate in day or night crew operations in support of test campaign
• Learn to plan, organize, and execute scientific and engineering program content within defined cost, schedule, and performance constraint
• Ensure customer technical needs are met and facilitate technology transitio
• As needed, interface with existing Starfire Optical Range partners across the Air Force Research Laboratory, Department of Defense, nation, and internationally to promote knowledge sharing and technology transition activitie
• Relocation costs or other incentives may be available and considered by the organization.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy
Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.
Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship
• Ability to obtain and maintain the required Top Secret security clearance
• This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP). The employee must meet, or be capable of meeting, Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account (DAWDA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• Bachelor or higher degree from an accredited institution, unofficial transcripts are required to verify the degree.
• This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent will be subject to random testing.
• Travel is a requirement.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in activities relevant to the described job duties, which could include:
• Test and experimentation
• Scientific research or engineering
• Technology transitions
• Project or program management
• Employment in test organizations
• Advanced degree in an engineering or research discipline is not required but may strengthen the application
• Experience with test planning, test plan preparation, test execution

(Req No 15746).

Series

0801