Test Execution Branch Chief

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 PM PST, 18 August 2026. Resumes must be in DD/MMM/YYYY format.

The Test Support Division seeks to hire someone to serve as the Test Execution Branch Chief. This position will be filled at the DO-03 (GS-14 equivalent) level, and is located at Edwards Air Force Base.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Supervises a multidisciplinary team of instrumentation technicians, mechanics, fabricators, and logistics managers.
• Directs the comprehensive buildup, maintenance, and operation of test facilities for both liquid rocket engines and solid rocket motors.
• Ensures the team is effectively organized, trained, and equipped to meet the demands of all divisional rocket test activities, infrastructure improvement projects, and ongoing maintenance.
• Provides direct supervision of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) for the onsite test support contract, with potential extended responsibilities as a Task Manager for contractor oversight.
• Plans and leads the maintenance and calibration of all test support equipment and infrastructure.
• Leads or provides key inputs to feasibility studies for potential test facility upgrades.
• Generates comprehensive cost estimates and business justifications for facility improvement and ongoing maintenance projects.

• US Citizenship.
• Possess a Bachelor's degree or higher in business, industrial management, finance, public administration, or a related field; OR possess a combination of education and qualifying experience that provides the knowledge and skills necessary to manage complex technical or industrial operations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Must be APDP certified at the Practitioner level in Engineering & Technical Management (ETM) or Program Management (PM), or obtain certification within 60 months.
• To qualify for a DO-03, applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the DO-02 / GS-13 (or equivalent pay system). Examples of specialized experience include: directing operations, logistics, or maintenance for aerospace testing facilities, industrial plants, or similar complex environments; supervising multidisciplinary technical workforce teams; and managing defense contractor support and facility budgets.

• Minimum 5 years of experience related to the management and operation of rocket propulsion test facilities or similar complex aerospace testing environments.
• Expertise in resource management, scheduling, and logistics for the buildup and maintenance of liquid rocket engine and solid rocket motor test stands.
• Proven experience as a supervisor of multidisciplinary technical teams (instrumentation, mechanics, fabrication, logistics) in a unionized or civil service environment.
• Extensive experience overseeing defense contractors, acting as a Task Manager, or working closely with a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Demonstrated ability to generate cost estimates, manage project budgets, and conduct business-case feasibility studies for major infrastructure upgrades.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to generate operations reports and deliver oral presentations to technical partners and executive leadership.
• Familiarity with industry and/or military standards for propulsion systems testing and facility safety protocols.

Requisition Number 36847