General Engineer

Come be a part of something big! Smart Minds, Cool Jobs, and Awesome Rewards! Fueled by innovation, talent, and ambition, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) is seeking civilian professionals prepared to deploy war-winning capabilities on behalf of the United States Air Force.

OPENS: 10 SEPTEMBER 2026 CLOSES: 1 OCTOBER 2026

IMPORTANT**

AFNWC requires the 2-page resume format for our job announcements. Please access this link to learn more about what to include in your resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience, education, and professional development is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. The hiring manager will reject any illegible/unreadable resumes or resumes that do not comply with the 2-page limitation. Provide all academic degrees, professional military education and any other professional certifications on your 2-page resume. Air Force Civilian Service is seeking one full-time, direct-hire General Engineer (Battery & Electrochemical Power Systems Subject Matter Expert) to join the Air force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Minuteman III Systems Division, Guidance Branch (NIMG) at Hill Air Force Base, near Layton, Utah. This position (960774) is an NH-0801-04. The salary range for this position is $125,776 - $164,094 based on the Value of Position (92), which includes Hill AFB (17.06%) locality pay. Value of Position: If your current salary is within the band, but above the stated Value of Position, your salary will not be reduced if you are selected for the position.

DUTIES:

Technical Authority & Systems Integration: Serves as the technical authority on all aspects of Minuteman III power systems. Formulates engineering solutions, evaluates complex aerospace flight architectures, and oversees reserve battery architectures (e.g., thermal batteries, silver-zinc) to ensure perfect integration with guidance, propulsion, and ground support segments. Contractor Oversight & Technical Evaluations: Conducts detailed technical evaluations of prime contractor proposals, design modifications, and qualification plans. Monitors contractor manufacturing, cell production, and assembly operations to ensure compliance with strict nuclear weapon surety and reliability standards. Strategic Representation & Advocacy: Represents AFNWC leadership with external entities—including the Department of Energy / National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) laboratories (Sandia, Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos), US Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), NASA, and prime defense contractors, as directed. Testing Oversight & Risk Management: Oversees comprehensive testing and verification activities (including environmental stress screening, vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, and radiation hardening). Implements advanced degradation modeling to evaluate shelf-life, and lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) investigations on technical anomalies. Leadership & Multidisciplinary Mentorship: Provides technical mentorship to the Minuteman III engineering workforce. Guides multidisciplinary teams in adopting advanced systems engineering practices, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), and digital engineering methodologies.

SKILLS:

Electrochemical Power Sources & Chemistry: o Advanced knowledge of high-reliability, mission-critical battery chemistries used in strategic and aerospace systems (specifically reserve thermal batteries, silver-zinc, lithium primary cells, and secondary lithium-ion architectures). o Understanding of basic electrochemistry, cell reaction kinetics, material purity, and chemical degradation mechanisms over long-term storage (shelf-life). Battery Safety & Thermal Runaway Mitigation: o Expertise in designing and evaluating thermal management systems to mitigate thermal runaway propagation, hazardous gas venting, and combustion risks. o Familiarity with battery hazard classifications, failure containment, and high-voltage electrical safety protocols. Testing, Characterization & Diagnostics: o Experience with advanced electrochemical characterization techniques, including Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), cycle-life testing, and non-destructive evaluation (such as CT scanning and X-ray imaging of cells). o Experience designing and interpreting flight qualification test suites (shock, vibration, thermal-vacuum, and strategic radiation hardening environments). Standards, Safety & Nuclear Surety Compliance: o Familiarity with military and aerospace battery certification standards (e.g., NAVSEA S9310-AQ-SAF-010, NASA/TM standards, UN 38.3 shipping requirements, and military Range Safety criteria). o Knowledge of Air Force, DoD, and DOE nuclear weapon surety requirements as they apply to electronic and power sub-assemblies. Leadership & Professional Acumen: o Exceptional written and verbal communication skills to explain complex electrochemical failure modes, test anomalies, and design risks to non-technical program leadership and military stakeholders. o Experience working on Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) and steering multidisciplinary engineering teams.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION:

U.S. CITIZENSHIP

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance and will be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise. In accordance with the Ethics in Government Act, 1978, employee may be required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually. Engineer candidates must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) All Professional Engineering Positions, 0800, Individual Occupational Requirements: Employees must meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements, which includes achieving Engineering and Technical Management “Practitioner” certification category within required timeframe after appointment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Air Force Civilian Service