Systems Engineer, Plans & Programming

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.

Major Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) System Delta 89 (SYD 89) at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico is searching for a Systems Engineer (NH-0801-03, GS 12/13 equivalent). Description: If you want to solve complex challenges, influence technical direction, and advance the future of Space Force innovation, this Systems Engineer position offers a high-impact opportunity within the U.S. Space Force S9 Concepts and Technology Center. Serving as a trusted technical advisor, the selected professional will independently lead multidisciplinary systems engineering processes to translate warfighter requirements into viable technical solutions as the organization transitions toward an advanced Science and Technology (S&T) mission. In this role, the employee will plan and execute complex technical assignments, evaluate cutting-edge mission capabilities, and provide mentorship to junior personnel while collaborating across diverse stakeholders, mission partners, and requirements owners. Additionally, the role bridges technical development with the Plans & Programming (S5/8) section, ensuring that technical baselines, support agreements, and strategic resource decisions remain synchronized with long-term operational and national defense objectives. The ideal candidate possesses a professional bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution, broad expertise in systems engineering and test/evaluation principles, and proven experience safeguarding sensitive information (current Top Secret clearance and space-related engineering background preferred). They bring a strong foundation in program management, strategic planning, and resourcing processes to successfully drive complex technical projects and studies within defined schedule and fiscal constraints. A skilled communicator and consensus builder, this engineer demonstrates exceptional customer service, sound analytical judgment, and the ability to translate mission requirements into innovative technical solutions while fostering trusted relationships across diverse stakeholders and senior leadership. Key Skills and Abilities: Professional knowledge of general engineering policies, theories, principles and concepts, and familiarity with other engineering disciplines to carry out conventional engineering assignments. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply general engineering rules and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend effective solutions to senior engineers. Skill in working with customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations. Ability to persuade others to accept recommendations, work toward an agreement, and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions. Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to organize work, set priorities, and determine resource requirements; determine goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinate with other organizations; monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes. Ability to identify problems and use sound judgment and decisions to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations.

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.

Promotion Potential

NH-None

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.

Benefits

View benefits details ↗

Who Can Apply

• Open to the public

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.

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.

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.

Other 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.

About the Agency

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) will be used to form a pool of qualified applicants who will be considered for direct hire vacancies as they become available. To learn more about the United States Space Force Mission click here