Title: Autonomy Engineer/Autonomy Integration Lead
Job Summary:
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/WLK) is seeking a highly skilled Autonomy Engineer to support planning, development, integration, and evaluation of autonomous and semi-autonomous capabilities for the Future Tanker program. This role will be pivotal in shaping the next generation of aerial refueling capability by advancing decision-support automation, human-machine teaming, mission autonomy, and related enabling technologies. The selected candidate will work closely with government, industry, and FFRDC partners to define autonomy requirements, assess technology maturity, develop integration strategies, and support acquisition planning across the tanker portfolio.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead and support autonomy-related analysis, requirements development, and systems engineering activities for the Future Tanker program. • Coordinate with cross-functional teams within AFLCMC/WLK, AFLCMC engineering directorates, user communities, and external autonomy experts. • Evaluate autonomy-enabling technologies such as machine perception, autonomous decision aids, advanced flight controls, collaborative mission autonomy, and resilient AI/ML architectures. • Develop and refine Concept of Operations (CONOPS), use cases, and autonomy-enabled mission threads. • Conduct trade studies, risk assessments, and technical evaluations related to autonomy and human-machine teaming. • Support integration plans, interface definition, verification strategies, and test approaches for autonomous systems. • Contribute to acquisition documentation, including system requirements, RFP language, technical evaluations, and program baseline artifacts. • Represent the program in autonomy working groups, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), technical interchange meetings, and stakeholder engagements. • Monitor industry trends, technology roadmaps, and emerging Department of Defense (DoD) guidance relevant to autonomy.
Ensure compliance with DoD, Air Force, and AFLCMC policies on AI, data governance, cyber, safety, and certification of autonomous systems.
Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, including operators, engineers, and acquisition professionals.
Strong communication skills and ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for leadership.
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field • 10+ years of experience in autonomy development, autonomous systems integration, AI/ML systems, robotics, or advanced mission systems • Experience in systems engineering processes (requirements, integration, verification, validation) • Familiarity with DoD acquisition or military aviation programs
Desired Qualifications:
• Master's degree or higher in engineering, robotics, AI/ML, or autonomy-related fields • Prior experience supporting Air Force programs, particularly in mobility, tanker, unmanned systems, or advanced mission systems • Experience with autonomy certification frameworks, trusted AI principles, or safety-critical system development • Knowledge of digital engineering tools, modeling & simulation, and architecture frameworks (e.g., DoDAF, UAF, MBSE) • Understanding of human-machine teaming research, cognitive workload modeling, and automation design principles • Experience working with FFRDCs, industry autonomy developers, or AFRL technology programs
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