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Posted: February 10, 2026 (0 days ago)

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COMPUTER ENGINEER

Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide

Department of the Air Force

Fresh

Location

Salary

$88,054 - $155,070

per year

Closes

February 17, 2026More Air Force jobs →

GS-9 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $51,332 - $66,732

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-8. Master's degree or 2 years graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a computer engineer to support the U.S.

Space Force's satellite communication systems at a naval air station in California, focusing on maintaining and improving ground-based tech for secure data transmission.

It's an entry-level role for someone starting their career in engineering, ideal for recent graduates or those with some practical experience in tech fields.

A good fit would be a detail-oriented person who enjoys problem-solving with computers and has a background in engineering basics.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent education covering advanced math, physics, and engineering sciences like calculus, statics, dynamics, and electrical circuits
  • Combination of college-level education, training, and technical experience demonstrating knowledge of physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering
  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8 level, showing knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices in a professional occupation applied to complex assignments
  • Or, two years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a master's degree, or a master's or equivalent graduate degree
  • Or, a combination of graduate education and specialized experience that meets the qualifications
  • U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain necessary security clearance for working with Space Force systems
  • Professional registration, licensure, successful written test, or related academic courses to demonstrate engineering competency if using combination pathway

Full Job Description

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a Computer Engineer of 10 SOPS located at Point Mugu Naval Air Station, CA in support of the United States Space Force's (USSF) narrowband satellite communications ground system.

*** Salary ranges includes local market supplements *** This is a GG-09 position in the Cyber Excepted Service (CES).

The GG-09 duties for the "Professional" work category are at the "Entry/Developmental" work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-09 level.

The selectee's salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee's qualifications in relation to the job.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: A. Degree: Engineering.

To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; 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.

OR B.

Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering.

The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure, Written Test, Specified academic courses, Related curriculum.

Click the following link to view occupational requirements for the General Engineer position: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below: EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position.

Examples of creditable experience include: knowledge of a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices in a professional or administrative occupation, such as would be gained through extended graduate study or experience and skill in applying this knowledge to difficult and complex work assignments; or a comprehensive, intensive, practical knowledge of a technical field and skill in applying this knowledge to the development of new methods, approaches, or procedures.

Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency.

OR EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: I have a combination of experience and graduate level education as described above.

Therefore, I have a combination of experience and education to meet the qualifications of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Knowledge of professional computer engineering and scientific concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, and procedures; and ability to modify standard practices and techniques to solve complex and familiarization with software, SOH, and DevOps as they apply to scientific data acquisition processes.

2. Knowledge of professional computer engineering, systems hardware design and software applications.

Must have engineering level understanding of computer engineering, systems/programs, systems architectures, facilities, hardware, software, policies, concepts, practices and methodology found both in the Federal government and private industry.

Must possess knowledge of, and practical application skills in, major computer operating systems, including Windows, Linux- and Unix-based systems, Solaris 10 and 11, and networked equipment operating systems.

3. Knowledge of AFTAC, DOD, and AF policies, entities, missions, resources, operations, capabilities, and requirements as related to assigned program(s) and/or project(s). 4.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to produce highly technical reports, position papers, and briefings; resolve conflicts based on mature judgment and experience; effectively negotiate complex issues; and maintain good working relationships.

5. Knowledge of security procedures to maintain control of classified materials. 6.

Knowledge and a high degree of judgment, resourcefulness, originality, and ability to foresee the impact of changing technology.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position is a developmental position and will be filled at the GG-09 level with promotion potential to the GG-12.

The individual selected for this position may be promoted to the target level without further competition upon meeting any legal and regulatory requirements.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

- Performs as a computer engineer implementing requirements and performing system design, analysis of computer hardware and software applications, testing and operational troubleshooting to maintain and improve a worldwide network of highly sensitive electronic data acquisition and processing stations.

- Applies judgment and knowledge in administration of computer software programs to define and support existing and new designs and/or improvements to existing complex systems.

Defines requirements for software, software tools, and software configuration and administers support control and access of all software programs to worldwide users.

- Manages the development and documentation of operational concepts and strategies for assigned programs/projects.

Responsibilities are characterized by large, complicated projects with conflicting issues, and many variables and operations.

Incumbent uses imagination and professional judgment to independently identify, investigate, analyze, and resolve complex and difficult technical problems.

- Implements Developmental Operations (DevOps) principles and techniques such as automated testing, continuous improvement, configuration control, and infrastructure as software.

Works closely with operations, maintenance, and security groups to deploy fast continuous changes.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/10/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/10/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 9D-CES-12879413-101027-JB