MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Department of the Air Force - Agency Wide
Posted: March 12, 2026 (2 days ago)
This job was posted recently. Fresh listings typically have less competition.
Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Command
Department of the Air Force
Location
Salary
$100,992 - $131,293
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Engineering jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $62,107 - $80,737
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-10. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 years graduate study.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves working as a mechanical engineer for the Air Force Reserve Command, where you'll design systems, plan projects, and oversee construction on a military base in Massachusetts.
It's ideal for someone with a solid engineering background who enjoys hands-on technical work in a government setting.
A good fit would be a detail-oriented professional who can manage projects from start to finish while collaborating with other engineering teams.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a professional mechanical engineer, performing design, project programming and construction management/monitoring duties in support of a military installation.
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
In order to qualify, you must meet the basic and specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Professional and Scientific Positions BASIC REQUIREMENT OR INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL 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 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: a) Professional registration or licensure; b) Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico; c) Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A.; d) Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
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: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems.
Examples of specialized experience includes professional knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to a broad range of engineering, construction management, life cycle management, etc.
and related assignments. Knowledge of design and construction practices and techniques in establishing design parameters and preparing project justifications and specifications.
Knowledge of drafting techniques and conventions and drafting skills sufficient to convey design concepts and ideas and formulate working drawings.
Skills and familiarity with related fields of work such as architectural, electrical, mechanical, structural, environmental and civil engineering sufficient to ensure that areas of overlapping responsibilities receive proper design considerations.
FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.
One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.
NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.
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.
Professional knowledge of mechanical engineering concepts, principles, and practices and familiarity with architectural and other engineering disciplines. 2.
Knowledge of a broad range of engineering and construction standards, methods, practices, and techniques, materials, and equipment to determine compliance with federal, state, and local codes and regulations; of standard contracting regulations, practices, and procedures as it relates to facilities engineering; knowledge of health, safety, and environmental requirements as outlined in applicable standards, regulations, and/or technical orders; of environmental principles, practices, procedures, laws, regulations, and current legislative issues; of work classifications and the regulatory and statutory restrictions on the expenditures of appropriated and non-appropriated funds.
3.
Knowledge of automated data processing concepts, systems capabilities, and economic usage to effectively accomplish assigned functions, and knowledge of program planning and budgeting cycles, financial control and budget systems and management.
4.
Knowledge of aesthetic and functional design techniques and skill in preparing project documentation, to include preliminary drawings, sketches, and construction drawings; and technique / skill in drafting sufficient to convey design concepts and ideas and formulate working drawings.
5.
Ability to plan, conduct and record site/facilities surveys and inspection; to analyze, interpret, and apply results, rules, regulations, and procedures in a variety of situations and recommend timely and economical solutions.
6. Ability to plan and organize work and coordinate with other engineering disciplines and architects; and communicate effectively both orally and in writing and maintain good working relationships.
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 planning and design work for substantial multi-phase new construction, renovations, and improvement projects for real property facilities, including utility systems, utilizing a professional knowledge of mechanical engineering.
Manages projects for new construction, renovations, and improvements to real property facilities and maintains surveillance over construction contractors utilizing a professional knowledge of mechanical engineering and knowledge of other engineering disciplines to ensure overall compliance with contracted specifications, schedules, etc.
Plans, programs, budgets, and executes required projects in support of assigned programs.
Uses cost estimating tools to produce government estimates, program projects, and compete for funding in Air Force corporate processes.
Performs work in facilities operations and maintenance (O&M) functions.
Supports or serves as Activity Management Plan (AMP) Manager responsible for developing short- and long-range facilities and infrastructure priorities and requirements.
Provides consulting services and project coordination.
Complies with health, safety, and environmental rules and procedures and performs work in a manner that enhances the safety of the work environment.
Collects data and evaluates factors which affect the application of concepts, principles, theories, and methods required to observe, examine, measure, analyze, map, and describe physical and technical features and phenomena.
Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes