Safeguarding the Skies: Join the Missile Defense Agency as an NH-04 Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst

Are you looking to apply your engineering prowess or analytical expertise to one of the most critical missions in national defense? The Department of Defense's Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is currently recruiting for an Interdisciplinary General Engineer / Operations Research Analyst at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. This prestigious NH-04 broadband position (equivalent to the senior GS-14 level) offers an annual salary range of $130,987 to $197,200. Utilizing Direct Hire Authority, the MDA is seeking to quickly place a qualified professional who can lead operational and laboratory cyber testing to protect our national defense architecture.

Working within the Director for Test division, the successful candidate will operate at the intersection of technology, defense strategy, and system validation. Below, we break down everything you need to know about this career-defining opportunity, the technical qualifications required, and the strict rules you must follow during the application process.

About the Agency: The Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

The Missile Defense Agency is a highly specialized element of the Department of Defense. Its primary objective is to design, construct, test, and field an integrated, multi-layered ballistic missile defense system (BMDS). This system defends the United States, its deployed military forces, international allies, and partners against hostile missile strikes across all phases of flight.

Within the MDA, the Director for Test division holds the immense responsibility of ensuring these incredibly complex systems perform flawlessly under real-world stress and cyber threats. Joining this team means working alongside world-renowned scientists, engineers, and military strategists to design cutting-edge technologies that deter threats and secure global peace.

Job Responsibilities

As an Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst, your assignments will bridge traditional engineering and high-level analytical modeling. You will serve as a vital link within the Directorate for Ground Test Cyber (DTGY) and work directly with senior leadership to shape test policies. Key responsibilities include:

Operational Test Leadership: Serving as the deployed site leader for distributed operational cyber tests, managing on-site activities, and ensuring tests are run safely and effectively.
Cyber Test Coordination: Collaborating with the DTGY Chief and dedicated test teams to organize and implement multi-site laboratory and live operational cyber test activities.
System of Systems Design: Authoring and evaluating complex, high-level cyber test plans designed to pinpoint vulnerabilities in systems that integrate multiple legacy and modern components.
CONOPS Implementation: Driving alignment between various MDA departments, external contractors, and military branches to deploy the Cyber Test Concept of Operations (CONOPS).

Requirements and Education Pathways

Because this is an interdisciplinary role, candidates can qualify under either the General Engineering (GS-0801) series or the Operations Research (GS-1515) series. You must possess a strong foundational background in mathematical or physical sciences.

Occupational Series Comparison Table

Series	Educational Criteria	Key Required Coursework	Alternative Qualifications
GS-0801: General Engineering	Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited school of engineering.	Differential and integral calculus; advanced physics/chemistry; and courses in at least 5 areas of engineering science (e.g., statics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics).	A combination of education and experience showing mastery of engineering sciences, plus professional licensure (PE) or passing the FE exam.
GS-1515: Operations Research	Bachelor's degree in operations research, mathematics, or a highly quantitative field.	Minimum of 24 semester hours in operations research, advanced math, calculus, or statistics (at least 3 hours must be calculus).	Not applicable; candidate must possess strong competency in rigorous methods of scientific inquiry and applied mathematics.

Specialized Experience Requirements

To qualify at the NH-04 broadband level, you must have at least one full year of specialized professional experience equivalent to the GS-13/NH-03 level in federal service. Your background must reflect success in at least two of the following three areas:

Weapon Systems Testing: Creating, executing, or reviewing complex test plans for military weapon systems, including flight, ground, or tactical cyber testing.
Systems Integration: Partnering with multiple diverse organizations to seamlessly link separate physical or software systems together.
Test Concept Development: Developing standardized test policies, methodologies, or accreditation rules to support system validation and verification.

Salary and Broadband Overview

This position is managed under the AcqDemo Business and Technical Management system at the NH-04 level. This system emphasizes performance-based pay and advancement rather than rigid, time-based steps. The salary range for this role is $130,987 to $197,200 annually, which includes local cost-of-living adjustments for Redstone Arsenal and the Huntsville, Alabama metropolitan area.

Comprehensive Benefits

Employment with the Missile Defense Agency provides access to premium federal benefits designed to protect your physical, financial, and professional well-being:

Retirement Planning: Membership in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan and matching contributions up to 5% in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Health and Wellness: Access to excellent health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans with substantial employer-paid premiums.
Work-Life Balance: Generous paid leave accrual (annual and sick leave) plus 11 federal holidays. Flexible schedule structures and telework eligibility are supported.
Professional Development: Opportunities to pursue advanced certifications, including paid training to achieve the required DoD Acquisition Practitioner, Test and Evaluation certification within your first 60 months.

Strict Application Guidelines and Tips

Applying for a federal engineering position requires meticulous attention to detail. The Missile Defense Agency has established incredibly strict guidelines for this posting. Failing to follow these formatting rules will result in your application being automatically disqualified without human review.

The Two-Page Limit: Your federal resume must be exactly two pages or fewer. If it runs onto page three, it will be discarded immediately.
Strict Margins and Font Sizes: Resumes must use a clean, professional font (such as Lato, Calibri, or Arial) no smaller than 10-point, and margins must be at least 0.5 inches on all sides.
Submit as a PDF: Upload your resume as a standard PDF document under 5MB. Do not submit portfolio PDFs or zipped files.
Transcripts are Vital: Because of the detailed academic prerequisites for the 0801 and 1515 series, you must attach legible transcripts (unofficial transcripts are fine) showing your name, your institution, and all completed coursework. Without transcripts, you will be deemed ineligible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is Redstone Arsenal like as a work location?

Redstone Arsenal, located in Huntsville, Alabama, is one of the premier technology and defense hubs in the United States. Known as "Rocket City," the area boasts a high concentration of engineering talent, a low cost of living, excellent schools, and beautiful outdoor recreation opportunities.

Q: Can I use education as a substitute for specialized experience at the NH-04 level?

No. For this senior broadband level, education cannot be substituted for the required year of specialized, GS-13 equivalent professional experience.

Q: Is there a travel requirement for this role?

Yes, as a site lead for operational cyber tests, occasional travel to various defense installations and laboratory facilities will be required.

Q: Is this position subject to drug screening?

Yes. Selected candidates must pass an initial pre-employment drug screen prior to their start date and are subject to random drug testing throughout their employment.

If you possess a strong background in systems engineering or quantitative analysis, along with the leadership skills needed to direct complex cyber testing, this Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst role at the Missile Defense Agency is a phenomenal career move. By joining the MDA, you will enjoy a high-paying salary, outstanding federal benefits, and the pride of protecting the nation's sky-high defense networks. Align your resume with the strict guidelines, double-check your coursework transcripts, and apply before the closing date on September 1, 2026.

Why This Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst Job Matters

Protect the nation's defense shield: Lead critical cybersecurity and operations test initiatives for the Missile Defense Agency at Redstone Arsenal.

Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst Job Overview

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking a highly skilled Interdisciplinary General Engineer or Operations Research Analyst to join the Director for Test team at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. Operating under the NH-04 broadband level—equivalent to a senior GS-14 federal civil service tier—this position plays a pivotal role in validating and securing the United States' layered ballistic missile defense systems against evolving global threats. Utilizing Direct Hire Authority, the agency aims to quickly onboard an expert capable of designing, coordinating, and executing sophisticated cyber and ground test activities across distributed networks.

Requirements for Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Subject to initial drug screening and random testing thereafter.
Must meet basic educational requirements for the General Engineering series (GS-0801) or the Operations Research series (GS-1515).
Must possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13/NH-03 level in the federal service, fulfilling at least 2 of the 3 specialized criteria (testing complex weapons, integrating weapons systems, or developing test concepts).
Resumes must be submitted in PDF format, strictly limited to two (2) pages, with minimum 0.5-inch margins and at least a 10-point font. Over-limit resumes will be instantly disqualified.
Must be able to obtain the DoD Acquisition Practitioner, Test and Evaluation certification within 60 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications for Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst

Prior professional experience working directly with military weapon systems, specifically in flight, ground, or tactical cyber testing.
A current Professional Engineer (PE) license or successful passing of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination.
Advanced technical degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Operations Research, or Computer Science.
Active Secret or Top Secret clearance at the time of application.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive salary within the AcqDemo NH-04 broadband scale ($130,987 - $197,200).
✓Comprehensive federal health, dental, and vision insurance options.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan.
✓Generous paid annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
✓Flexible work options including telework eligibility based on mission needs.
✓Paid continuous learning and career advancement pathways.

💡 How to Apply Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Interdisciplinary General Engineer/Operations Research Analyst Job

Ensure your federal resume is exactly two pages or less and saved as a PDF (using 0.5" margins and a minimum 10-point font).
Gather your required supporting documents, including unofficial college transcripts showing your engineering or mathematics degrees, and your most recent SF-50 (if you are a current or former federal employee).
Log into your USAJOBS account and click the 'Apply Online' link on the official listing.
Follow the prompts to link your USAJOBS resume and upload your transcripts and documents.
Complete the online questionnaire hosted on the USA Staffing system.
Submit your complete application package before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 1, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Respect the strict page limit: If your resume is even slightly over two pages, or if you use a font smaller than 10-point or margins under 0.5 inches, you will be disqualified immediately without review.
Align with specialized experience: Make sure your resume explicitly details how you meet at least two of the three main specialized areas—testing complex weapons systems, integrating systems across different agencies, or developing test concepts and policies.
Submit legible transcripts: This is an interdisciplinary position with a rigid academic requirement. Failure to upload clear academic transcripts proving your engineering or mathematics coursework will result in your application being discarded.
Maintain PDF format: To preserve formatting, margins, and page counts, save your final resume directly as a standard PDF. Do not submit PDF portfolios, as the screening software cannot process them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the broadband scale equivalent for an NH-04 position?

The NH-04 broadband level under the AcqDemo system is equivalent to a senior-level GS-14 grade in the traditional General Schedule federal pay scale.

Does this position allow for telework?

Yes, this position is eligible for telework, subject to supervisor approval and agency mission requirements.

Are there specific resume formatting rules I must follow?

Yes, they are highly strict. Your resume must not exceed two pages, must be in PDF format, must use a font size of 10-point or larger, and must have margins of at least 0.5 inches. Failing to follow these guidelines will disqualify you immediately.

Is a security clearance required prior to being hired?

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. While holding an active clearance is highly beneficial, the agency can sponsor the investigation for the selected candidate.