Mechanical Engineer

About the Position

Air Force Civilian Service is seeking a full‑time Mechanical Engineer for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Minuteman III Systems Division, Ground Mechanical Branch at Hill Air Force Base, near Layton, Utah. The role (985868) is a NH‑0830‑03 position with a typical 2026 salary range of $89,508 – $138,370, and may include recruitment, relocation, retention, and student loan incentives. The primary purpose of this role is to serve as the technical subject matter expert for shock‑isolated floor systems and similar ground equipment for Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, supporting the modernization of the ground‑based leg of America’s nuclear deterrence program.

• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert, advising on MMIII shock‑isolated floor equipment technical design, system design, and architecture, including data analysis, design verification, and modeling & simulation of shock‑isolated systems and their interfaces for all phases of the product life cycle.
• Co‑ordinate integration efforts with other teams—command and launch infrastructure, system engineering, safety, cyber, and nuclear certification teams—to ensure design meets all weapon system requirements.
• Perform and report probabilistic risk analysis, hazard analysis, fault trees, and other systems engineering concepts to derive system requirements for shock‑isolated systems.
• Provide technical guidance and identify risks/opportunities regarding design concepts, certification, specifications, cost, and schedule management.
• Proactively develop and present technical briefings and reports to program stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Actively use Systems Engineering principles and processes in support of multiple sustainment and acquisition efforts.

• Engineering experience in design work on pneumatic and hydraulic systems—including air compressors, hydraulic pump systems, and pneumatic and hydraulic shock isolators.
• Understanding of DoD weapon systems issues and experience working with government organizations on research, development, design, acquisition, production, maintenance, repair, engineering support, testing, and evaluation.
• Experience administering systems engineering principles and identifying weapon system sustainment needs.
• Background in test, evaluation, and modeling execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Systems engineering experience with design, development, operation, and/or life‑cycle sustainment of a product/system with complex engineering and management challenges.
• Deep knowledge of the Air Force acquisition process.
• Familiarity with ICBMs.
• Experience developing or reviewing system safety assessment analysis and/or failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis.
• Ability to creatively solve technical issues—hardware, software, testing—and consider cost and schedule impact.
• Experience using innovative approaches to identify and solve problems related to design, testing, management, and data analyses.
• Experience effectively communicating issues and resolutions to contractors, stakeholders, and team members with varying technical backgrounds.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, and handle classified information per regulations.
• Must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) All Professional Engineering Positions, 0800, and meet Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements.

Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance. The position complies with all applicable workplace safety and security protocols.