Retired Engineers Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

NO 6-MONTH WAIT! Recently retired and/or retiring from MILITARY service ARE eligible for immediate appointment for AFTC positions. The 180-day waiting period has been waived for AFTC to hire recently retired and/or retiring service members.

The Air Force Test Center is looking for a Full-Time Test Engineer (NH-0861/0801/0830-03) to work at the 412 Test Wing, 412 Test Engineering Group, 773 Test Squadron, Multiple Flights (773 TS/ENFA/ENFM/ENFR/ENFS) at Edwards Air Force Base, CA.

The primary purpose of this position is: to serve as a senior professional engineer responsible for test engineering activities in assigned programs/projects. Considered a technical expert for the organization in test engineering assignments; employee provides technical leadership and management in planning, analyzing, and reviewing test and evaluation efforts. Employee applies advanced multidisciplinary engineering techniques and management principles to determine optimum test approaches and procedures for achieving program test and evaluation objectives, and/or to determine operational or technical adequacy of item or system requirements or specifications.

Announcement Closes: 10 Sep 2026.

Typical 2026 salary range: $104,349 - $161,313 per year (includes Locality)

Travel Requirements: Up to 25% travel

Areas of Consideration (AOC): Department - wide (DoD)

This position MAY be eligible for a recruitment incentive. Specifics will be discussed with the Selecting Official.

• 1 year of engineering experience in a flight test environment.
• Comfort and adaptability in a dynamic control room environment desired.
• Eagerness to develop and implement new processes, techniques, and methodologies to advance flight test and analysis.
• Experience with Python and/or Matlab programming desired.

• Performs a wide variety of professional engineering duties associated with administering test and evaluation (T&E) efforts for a specialized area within assigned projects/programs.
• Utilizes diverse engineering practices and techniques to anticipate project needs, modify priorities, and administer a structured testing process.
• Assesses, evaluates, and compares test data and results with modeling and simulation results, system performance and mission requirements, test plan objectives, and presents the outcome in the form of plots, tables, and other graphic representation.
• Performs analysis and uses systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches to implement, develop, and document projects.
• Participates in planning conferences, prepares management reports, and conducts technical presentations for planning, implementation, and corrective action.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with all associated personnel.

• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest
• Obtain & maintain Security clearance
• This is a designated Drug Testing Position
• Ability to synthesize concepts, principles, and practices across technical and test engineering disciplines.
• Knowledge of professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, materials, and equipment to effectively apply multidisciplinary engineering theories, procedures, and techniques to test and evaluation activities.
• Knowledge to perform the requirements planning, coordination, test direction, data collection, analysis, and reporting of results for a wide variety of test projects.
• Skill in planning and organizing test activities, analyzing test data to verify item/system meets established performance requirements, and in providing thorough and precise information to management.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

POC Names & Emails: 412teng.cl.manpower@us.af.mil Please reference PID# 26-198134634 in the subject line.