Program Officer, Aerodynamic Sciences

Job Overview

This announcement will be accepting candidate submissions until 11:45 PM EST, 30 July 2026.

The Engineering, Information Science, Mathematics and Collaboration Branch (AFRL/RES-A) seeks to hire a senior-level, DR-04 Principal General Engineer (0801), in Arlington, VA. The incumbent will serve as the Program Officer for the Air Force basic research portfolio in Aerodynamics Sciences.

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Manages the Department of the Air Force basic research portfolio in Aerodynamic Sciences, leading foundational research into flow fields, turbulence, and fluid-structure interactions to improve vehicle control and energy transfer.
• Identifies strategic research opportunities and provides expert technical advice to DAF and government leadership.
• Orchestrates collaborative research across AFRL, DoD, industry, and academia while communicating programmatic goals on a national scale.
• Responsible for all portfolio operations, including budget execution, tracking technical reports, and managing electronic records.
• Additionally, conducts outreach to expand partnerships and adapts program direction to meet shifting DAF priorities.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship.
• Must be able to obtain/maintain a Top Secret with access to SCI and SAP security clearance, as a condition of employment.
• This is a Drug Testing designated position. The incumbent will be subject to random testing.
• A bachelor’s degree in a science or engineering discipline. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
• Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade DR-03/GS-14, or equivalent in other pay systems.
• Must be APDP certified at the Practitioner level in Engineering & Technical Management () or obtain certification within 60 months.
• Financial Disclosure: Employee is required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually.
• TDY Travel: 15%

Desired Qualifications

• 5+ years of S&E related experience.
• Possess a graduate degree in the field of study from an accredited academic institution.
• Experience managing the technical and financial aspects of large and/or complex projects.
• Experience in strategic thinking about organizational development and technical goals, and in generating and implementing plans to achieve those goals.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Series

0801

Additional Information

• PCS expenses, if authorized, will be paid IAW the JTR and Air Force regulations. Centrally managed PCS costs paid by the Career Field Team. No DNRP authorized.

Requisition Number 42367

Posting End Date

07/30/2026