Associate Cognitive Systems Engineer

Duties and Responsibilities

• Fully Own End-to-End Adoption: Take complete operational ownership of the rollout and workforce integration of AFRL IZ/IZX digital products, driving user engagement and minimizing friction across the broader AFRL workforce.
• Analyze Workflows & Friction: Apply core Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE) methodologies to analyze human-workflow friction, interface directly with complex technical product teams, and design seamless human-machine adoption strategies.
• Manage Clients & Stakeholders: Act as the dedicated, trusted operational partner to the client lead, absorbing daily logistics and execution to transition client leadership from hands-on tasks to high-level strategy.
• Feed the Cross-Spoke Pipeline: Proactively engage with the workforce to identify tool struggles and organizational skill gaps, collaborating directly with the Digital Upskilling lead to feed the pipeline with clear targets for new course creation and marketing materials.
• Drive Strategic Agile Alignment: Collaborate closely with the PM and the broader Digital Enablement team to foster a fluid, responsive resource ecosystem that easily adapts to shifting client needs.

Required

• Ability to obtain a Security Clearance at Secret level, USG CAC, NIPR Access
• Experience: 1 year of professional experience as a Cognitive Systems Engineer, Human Factors Engineer, Engineering Psychologist, or in a closely related technical/operational role.
• Core Specialty: Strong foundational background in Cognitive Systems Engineering (CSE), data collection methods, and analytical techniques. Proven ability to map complex mental models, assess cognitive workload, and analyze context-switching friction.
• Product & Training Strategy: Experience bridging the gap between highly technical product development teams and non-technical end-users (determining where marketing, training, or workflow redesign is needed).
• Consultative & Communication Skills: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to confidently embed with client stakeholders, manage operational expectations, and proactively drive projects without heavy supervision.
• Defense/Federal Space Familiarity: Familiarity with the Department of Defense (DoD), specifically the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) or similar scientific/research defense environments is highly preferred.

Desired

• Defense Sector Experience: Prior experience working within or supporting DoD clients, specifically AFRL or similar military scientific and research environments.
• AI & Advanced Tool Ecosystems: Familiarity with or exposure to emerging artificial intelligence toolsets, large language model interfaces, or modern defense data environments (e.g., Genai.mil Agents, Envision, or equivalent platforms).
• Technical Skills: Advanced degree in CSE, Human Factors, Engineering Psychology or a closely related field. Experience with technical writing.
• Cross-Functional Agile Collaboration: Experience working within an integrated digital enablement ecosystem alongside distinct project spokes like technical training/upskilling pipelines and specialized AI development teams.
• Contract & Program Growth Support: Understanding of federal contracting environments, with the ability to identify operational alignment opportunities that support long-term contract consolidation strategies.

Leadership

• Ability to foster growth in individuals and teams. Effectively communicate orally and in written documentation up, down, and laterally across the organization and to external stakeholders.

Defense Work

This role supports U.S. Department of Defense customers. Employees may be assigned to different projects over time, including projects involving defense operations.

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