GFE Lead Systems Engineer

About the role

The Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) is seeking a Full-Time GFE Lead Systems Engineer (NH-0801-04) to work at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center in Arlington, VA. Recruitment, Retention, and Relocation incentives may be available.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary Technical Authority for the GFE portfolio, overseeing full-lifecycle systems engineering processes and directing integration activities to ensure all GFE components meet rigorous performance requirements and integrate seamlessly with the larger aircraft system.
• Collaborates with product owners, technical stakeholders, and engineering teams to ensure system designs remain responsive to changing mission requirements and operational priorities.
• Possesses working knowledge of INCOSE-based MBSE (Model-Based Systems Engineering) principles. Understands tools and architectures of common MBSE tool sets (Cameo/CATIA magic or equivalent) to create, review, and critique models and export artifacts.
• Leads the technical evaluation and adjudication of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs), Change Requests (CRs), and Major Variance Requests (MVRs), representing the GFE team as the primary technical decision-maker at Joint Configuration Management boards including the Joint Configuration Review Board (JCRB) and Joint Configuration Control Board (JCCB).
• Drives technical risk management and quality mission assurance by establishing producibility criteria.
• Conducts independent manufacturing readiness assessments, executing root-cause failure investigations, and mitigating vulnerabilities throughout production and sustainment.
• Administers systems level trade studies and allocates performance and function requirements across software, firmware, and hardware to optimize cost, delivery, and schedule.
• Develops and executes strategic workforce and competency models to identify, recruit, and manage the multi-disciplinary engineering talent to include Build Managers, Quality Engineers, and technical SMEs required to support the GFE production pipeline.
• Steers mission architecture development, requirements definition, and the creation of operational concepts and systems engineering products across the lifecycle. Leads cross functional teams in the design and delivery of integrated, end to end solutions supporting mission critical objectives. Chairs Prime Contractor Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SETR) as required.
• Decomposes, defines, allocates establishes and refines producibility, traceability, maintainability, and quality assurance criteria for the portfolio, ensuring designs are optimized for manufacturability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness while communicating critical engineering solutions across organizational boundaries.
• Formulates and executes the technical risk management strategy in accordance with all applicable services specific, JPO and DOW regulations and directives.
• Identifies critical system-level vulnerabilities and engineering mitigations prior to production execution to ensure fleet safety and mission success.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Accredited Engineering BS degree (Aerospace, Electrical, Computer, Industrial, Quality, Mechanical, or Manufacturing).
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in systems engineering, manufacturing/quality engineering, and acquisition with a focus on the delivery and support of new equipment.
• DAWIA Engineering and Technical Management (ETM) Practitioner certification.
• Extensive knowledge of managing and resolving technical issues related to design producibility, quality, manufacturing planning, and supply chain management.
• Prominent analytical ability to evaluate the root cause and subsequent effects of design changes and production or quality discrepancies.
• Strong briefing skills and the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively.

Additional Remarks

• SECURITY CLEARANCE: The employee must obtain and maintain the appropriate Secret security clearance (Top Secret eligible) and be Special Access Programs eligible.
• TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: This position requires the employee to occasionally travel away from the normal duty station. Requires willingness to travel overseas and to domestic OEM sites.
• ANTICIPATED START DATE: Immediately
• If already an NH-04 or equivalent in AcqDemo or similar system, this would be a lateral move, not eligible for salary increase.
• This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
• Position may be subject to random drug testing.

Benefits

Recruitment, Retention, and Relocation incentives may be available.