Technical Advisor Systems Engineering: A Premier Senior-Level Opportunity at Wright-Patterson AFB

For senior-level engineers, few federal civilian opportunities rival the scope and prestige of serving as a Technical Advisor, Systems Engineering for the Department of the Air Force. Operating out of the historic Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB) in Ohio, this Senior-Level (SL) position represents the pinnacle of civilian engineering leadership. This is not a standard program management or supervisory role. Instead, it is an elite advisory post where the selected professional serves as the definitive national and international authority on complex weapon systems, digital engineering processes, and technological resiliency.

Working within the high-stakes environment of the United States Air Force civilian service, the Technical Advisor establishes design standards, pioneers digital modernization, and guides complex multi-domain systems from initial concept to ultimate disposal. If you possess a rare blend of deep technical mastery, systems engineering expertise, and strategic vision, this role offers an unparalleled platform to influence national security while earning a premier executive salary.

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About the Agency: The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center

The position is housed under the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), a vital sub-agency of the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). AFLCMC is headquartered at Wright-Patterson AFB and is charged with a monumental mission: delivering cost-effective acquisition, product support, and sustainable programs to field war-winning capabilities.

Within AFLCMC, the Technical Engineering Services Directorate (EZ) provides the foundational engineering leadership, technical direction, and disciplined systems engineering policies that ensure all US aeronautical assets are operationally safe, suitable, and effective. As the Technical Advisor for Systems Engineering, you will sit at the crossroads of this directorate, shaping policies and resolving systemic engineering challenges that impact dozens of weapon system program offices.

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Job Responsibilities & Core Duties

The Technical Advisor is tasked with leading some of the most intellectually challenging and strategically significant engineering efforts in the Department of Defense. Rather than managing daily personnel admin, this role concentrates heavily on the technological integrity of Air Force aerospace platforms.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Ultimate Technical Authority: Serve as the definitive civilian expert on Systems Engineering (SE), Weapons System Integration (WSI), System Security Engineering/Cyber Resiliency (SSE/CR), and Advanced Manufacturing across the entire Air Force enterprise.
• Life-Cycle Management: Direct disciplined systems engineering processes across all domains—from early requirements formulation to sustainment and final disposal.
• Modernizing Engineering Methodologies: Act as the strategic catalyst for the adoption of model-based engineering (MBE), model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital twins, digital threads, and advanced data analytics.
• Integration of Complex Platforms: Integrate structural and electronic components within air vehicles to align with overarching mission requirements, training infrastructures, and logistical footprints.
• Cyber Security & System Resilience: Formulate security strategies to safeguard program information and build highly resilient systems capable of resisting sophisticated cyber threats.
• Scientific Engineering Reviews: Direct high-level scientific reviews, independent assessments, and investigations to resolve critical, complex systems engineering issues on front-line weapon systems.

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Key Requirements & Qualifications

To qualify for this Senior Level (SL) position, applicants must meet stringent educational and professional standards. The Department of the Air Force implements strict evaluation processes to ensure only top-tier engineering experts advance.

Educational Standards (General Engineering - 0801 Series):

Candidates must demonstrate eligibility via one of the following paths:

1. Professional Engineering Degree: A bachelor's degree (or higher) in professional engineering from an curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
2. Combination of Education and Experience: At least 60 semester hours of college-level classes in physical and mathematical sciences combined with specialized engineering training, as demonstrated by registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) or passing the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination.

Certifications and Backgrounds:

• Engineering Practitioner Certification: Applicants must hold, or be capable of obtaining, the Practitioner Certification in Engineering (ENG) within 24 months of hire.
• Acquisition Experience: At least 4 years of technical acquisition experience specifically within an engineering capacity (or acceptable equivalent).
• Security Clearance: Because this role involves highly sensitive data, the selected candidate must hold or be able to clear a Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk investigation to obtain a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance.
• Drug Testing: The position requires pre-employment and random drug screenings.

Technical Qualifications (TQs):

Candidates must clearly demonstrate mastery of the following Technical Qualifications within their application resume:

• TQ1: Expert knowledge to develop, tailor, and apply multidisciplinary systems engineering approaches, including systems security, mission engineering, airworthiness, Human Systems Integration (HSI), advanced manufacturing, and safety compliance.
• TQ2: Ability to lead authoritative scientific evaluations to investigate complex engineering failures or issues, formulating innovative resolutions for major weapon systems.

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Salary Overview & Compensation Structure

This civilian position is classified under the Senior Level (SL) schedule. Unlike standard General Schedule (GS) roles, SL positions are reserved for non-executive, high-level scientific and technical personnel. As such, the compensation is highly competitive with private industry standards.

Position Element	Details
Classification Grade	Senior Level (SL)
Annual Salary Range	$151,662 to $209,600 Per Year
Relocation Benefits	Permanent Change of Station (PCS) authorized via Joint Travel Regulations
Incentives	Potential recruitment or relocation incentives available for exceptional candidates
Financial Disclosure	Mandatory annual filing of OGE Form 278

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Comprehensive Benefits Package

Joining the Department of the Air Force as an SL civilian provides access to an outstanding suite of federal benefits designed to support career development, healthcare, and retirement planning:

• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which functions similarly to a 401(k) with up to 5% agency matching.
• Health and Wellness: A wide array of premium health, dental, and vision insurance options, alongside flexible spending accounts and federal life insurance policies.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous accrual of paid vacation days, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays annually.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: The position is telework eligible, enabling flexible coordination of remote and on-base engineering tasks subject to organizational requirements.

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Strategic Application Tips (The 2-Page Rule)

In line with modern efforts to streamline federal hiring, the application process for this Senior Level position has been simplified. However, the requirements are exceptionally strict. Failure to follow the exact document formatting rules will result in immediate disqualification.

1. Master the 2-Page Resume Limit

Unlike traditional federal resumes that can span several pages, your resume for this position must not exceed exactly two (2) pages. If your document is even one line over this limit, your application will be disqualified. Do not use the USAJOBS Resume Builder. Instead, author a clean, concise document in a word processor and save it as a PDF.

2. Formatting Details

• Use Times New Roman font, set strictly to 10-point size.
• Use 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Do not include borders, graphics, or personal photographs.
• Do not list your Social Security Number (SSN).

3. Weave in Your Technical Qualifications

There is no separate document for submitting Technical Qualifications (TQs). You must integrate concrete evidence of your ability to satisfy TQ1 and TQ2 directly into your 2-page resume. Focus heavily on actual accomplishments, quantifiable metrics, and leadership roles from the past 10 years, as older experience may be viewed as outdated by the selection panel.

4. Structured Board Review

Once applications close, a screening panel of senior executive service (SES) members and general officers will review the submissions. They will select the top candidates to undergo a structured technical interview before making a final recommendation to the Under Secretary of the Air Force.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this position open to the general public?

Yes. The hiring path for this position is open to both current federal senior executives and the general public, provided applicants meet the specialized educational and engineering requirements.

Q2: What are the primary digital tools utilized in this role?

As a catalyst for digital engineering, the Technical Advisor leads policies around Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), digital twins, digital threads, and modeling tools to modernize aircraft development and sustainment programs.

Q3: Is relocation paid for this position?

Yes. Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is authorized in accordance with the Joint Travel Regulations. Additionally, recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered to help attract premier national talent.

Q4: Who can I contact for questions regarding the application process?

For specific inquiries about this announcement (MRL26-10096), contact the Air Force Executive Resources division representative, Ms. Hannah Lugo-Ascorbe, via email at [email protected] or by phone at (385) 680-0552.

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The position of Technical Advisor, Systems Engineering at Wright-Patterson AFB represents a rare opportunity to serve at the highest echelon of defense engineering. Operating as the premier systems engineering authority for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, you will have a direct hand in shaping the next generation of multi-domain military aircraft and weapons.

By carefully tailoring your two-page PDF resume to emphasize your achievements in weapon system integration, cyber resiliency, and advanced digital engineering, you can position yourself for this highly compensated, prestigious, and deeply rewarding federal career. Ensure your complete package is submitted through USAJOBS prior to the closing deadline on September 11, 2026.