Lead General Engineer: Driving Infrastructure Excellence at the Missile Defense Agency

Are you an experienced engineer seeking a role that combines technical rigor with national security? The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is currently accepting applications for a Lead General Engineer at Fort Greely, Alaska. This role is a vital component of the agency’s mission to provide a layered defense system for the United States and its allies. As a Lead General Engineer, you will handle facility maintenance, construction oversight, and acquisition support in one of the most critical environments for our nation's defense.

Job Responsibilities

In this role, your daily tasks will be diverse and challenging. You will serve as the primary facility maintenance and construction representative, ensuring all contractors adhere to the Facility Specific Operations and Maintenance Manuals (FSOMMs). Key duties include:

Developing scopes of work (SOW) for acquisition and procurement.
Monitoring construction progress and facility commissioning.
Drafting technical reports on contractor performance.
Coordinating between military services and stakeholders to resolve operational infrastructure issues.
Acting as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).

Requirements

This position requires a high level of expertise. Applicants must meet the following baseline standards:

Education: A degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent fundamental coursework.
Experience: One year of specialized experience at the GS-13/NH-03 level.
Documentation: A strict 2-page PDF resume limit and copies of transcripts.

Eligibility Comparison

Requirement	Description
Education	ABET-accredited degree or equivalent coursework
Experience	1 year at NH-03/GS-13 equivalent
Security Clearance	Secret
Location	Fort Greely, Alaska

Salary Overview

This position is compensated at the NH-04 broadband level, with a salary range of $142,216 to $197,200. Furthermore, employees in this location receive a 32.36% tax-free Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), significantly increasing the total compensation package.

Benefits

Working with the Department of Defense offers robust benefits, including:

Comprehensive health and life insurance options.
Federal retirement system (FERS) participation.
Generous leave accrual and federal holidays.
Career development and training paths.

Application Tips

To stand out, ensure your application package is complete. Remember that the resume limit is absolute; any document exceeding two pages will lead to automatic rejection. Clearly link your past professional accomplishments to the five criteria listed in the qualification summary.

This role at Fort Greely is a unique opportunity to lead critical engineering projects in support of national defense. If you have the required technical expertise and a drive for excellence, apply before the closing date to join the Missile Defense Agency team.

Why This Lead General Engineer Job Matters

Join the Missile Defense Agency at Fort Greely and lead high-stakes engineering projects that defend the nation.

Lead General Engineer Job Overview

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking a Lead General Engineer to serve at Fort Greely, Alaska. This critical role involves managing facility maintenance, construction oversight, and acquisition support to ensure mission readiness. You will work within the Facilities Engineering team, acting as a technical expert and representative for agency infrastructure projects. This is a Direct Hire Authority position, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to global ballistic missile defense efforts in a challenging and rewarding environment.

Requirements for Lead General Engineer

U.S. Citizenship.
Must meet the basic educational requirement: Degree in Engineering (ABET-accredited or equivalent coursework in core engineering sciences).
One year of specialized experience equivalent to the NH-03/GS-13 level.
Must meet at least 3 of 5 defined specialized experience criteria (e.g., engineering principle application, infrastructure planning, or military service planning).
Must be able to pass an initial drug screening and maintain ongoing compliance.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Submission of a resume limited to exactly two pages or fewer in PDF format.
Must provide academic transcripts.

Preferred Qualifications for Lead General Engineer

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
Current Engineer in Training (EIT) or FE certification.
Experience in PPBE (Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution) processes.
Proven experience serving as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
Strong background in facility maintenance contract monitoring.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive Federal Salary
✓32.36% Tax-free Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for Fort Greely
✓Comprehensive Federal Health Insurance
✓Retirement Savings (FERS) and TSP
✓Paid Leave and Federal Holidays
✓Professional Development Opportunities
✓Telework Eligibility

💡 How to Apply Lead General Engineer Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Lead General Engineer Job

Log into or create your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a focused 2-page PDF resume highlighting your engineering experience.
Gather your unofficial transcripts and any relevant SF-50 documentation.
Complete the online application questionnaire.
Submit all documents via the USAJOBS portal before the closing date.
Monitor your application status via the 'Track My Application' feature.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume strictly to two pages; anything over will disqualify you.
Ensure your resume includes hours worked per week and specific dates of employment.
Use standard, readable fonts like Lato or Arial for your PDF documents.
Double-check that your transcripts clearly list school name, degree, and completed coursework.
Clearly articulate your experience in terms of the five specialized criteria listed in the announcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pay like for this position?

The base salary ranges from $142,216 to $197,200. Additionally, Fort Greely positions include a 32.36% tax-free Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).

Are there strict formatting requirements for the resume?

Yes. The resume must be a maximum of two pages, in PDF format, with at least 0.5-inch margins and 10-point font size.

Is this position eligible for remote work?

While the role is telework eligible, it is a mission-essential position at Fort Greely and may require emergency response and physical presence.

What is a Direct Hire Authority?

*A: It allows the agency to hire qualified candidates quickly by bypassing traditional rating and ranking.*

Is there drug testing?

*A: Yes, this position requires an initial drug screen and is subject to random testing.*

Job from Missile Defense Agency

The Missile Defense Agency is a Department of Defense organization tasked with the development, testing, and deployment of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). The agency works at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and global security. Working for the MDA means collaborating with some of the most talented professionals in the field, dedicated to defending the nation against complex threats.