Mechanical Engineer

Air Force Safety Center • Kirtland AFB, NM

16d

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineer serves as a senior advisor to the Air Force Chief of Safety and Air Force Safety Center staff on mechanical safety matters for Air Force nuclear weapons systems. The role provides professional technical direction and assessment on mechanical safety issues and serves as a subject matter expert in analyzing and mitigating hazards involving nuclear weapon systems, support equipment, and facilities used to store, handle, transport, and maintain nuclear weapons.

The position develops Air Force policy and formulates nuclear certification design criteria for the mechanical safety aspects of Air Force nuclear weapon systems. It also represents the Air Force Safety Center on Department of Defense and Air Force boards, integrated product teams, working groups, technical interchange meetings, and interdepartmental project officer meetings with the Department of Energy.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must be eligible for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information, other intelligence-related Special Sensitive information, or involvement in Top Secret Special Access Programs; a nondisclosure agreement must be signed.
• Must meet the engineering series basic requirement through a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering from an acceptable program, or through an acceptable combination of education and experience. Transcripts must be submitted with the application when using education to qualify.
• At least one year of specialized experience at the GS-13 level or equivalent is required.
• Specialized experience must include professional mastery of mechanical engineering theory and principles and knowledge of nuclear weapon systems sufficient to develop novel analysis techniques and address emerging technologies.
• Must have expertise in advanced engineering or software theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods sufficient to resolve novel problems, provide expert advice, make innovative recommendations, and execute significant projects.
• Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable federal time-in-grade requirements; one year at the GS-13 level is required for the GS-14 level.
• Knowledge of general engineering principles, mechanical and explosive safety requirements, Air Force nuclear weapon systems operations and capabilities, and Air Force and Weapons Safety organizational structure.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and current legislative issues related to nuclear weapon system surety.
• Knowledge of program operations, products, services, needs, goals, customers, resources, and users, and the ability to assess technical compliance and balance mission and nuclear surety requirements.
• Skill in evaluating nuclear surety program issues and providing guidance to resolve mission-critical problems affecting nuclear weapon system operations.
• Skill in interpreting program documentation to identify nuclear surety issues and plan, develop, implement, and coordinate a nuclear safety design certification program.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and to plan, organize, and direct functions and mentor, motivate, and appraise senior military employees.
• Must be subject to random drug testing.
• May be required to work outside normal duty hours and travel occasionally away from the normal duty station.

Nice To Haves

• A four-year bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering is desired.
• Detailed knowledge of the Department of Defense Directives website.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional and expert technical direction and assessment on mechanical safety issues for nuclear weapons systems.
• Analyze and mitigate mechanical safety hazards involving nuclear weapon systems, support equipment, and facilities where nuclear weapons are stored, handled, transported, and maintained.
• Develop Air Force policy and formulate nuclear certification design criteria for mechanical safety aspects of Air Force nuclear weapon systems.
• Represent the Air Force Safety Center on Department of Defense and Air Force boards, integrated product teams, working groups, technical interchange meetings, and interdepartmental project officer meetings with the Department of Energy.
• Provide technical guidance on safeguarding weapons and advise on equipment and facility modifications and protection standards.
• Oversee and provide technical assistance to Air Force installations on unusual problems and policy matters, and resolve major safety deficiencies in facilities and equipment.
• Review research and development reports and related data to ensure appropriate emphasis on hazard analysis and mitigation.
• Anticipate hazard-mitigation problems, guide installations in resolving them, and prepare policy instructions and guidance material.
• Recommend design changes to improve safety and security.
• Plan, develop, implement, and coordinate a nuclear safety design certification program.
• Plan, organize, direct, mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff of senior military employees.

Benefits

• Leave accrual may be authorized upon request.
• Advance in hire may be authorized when demonstrable proof is provided in the resume.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior