The Missile Defense Agency recently (Feb/Mar 2012) hired 40 entry level engineers into the Missile Defense Career Development Program (MDCDP). We intend to hire an additional 29 entry level engineers to report to work in July 2012. That brings our MDCDP to a total of 290 entry level individuals, working toward a career with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) or 10% of our workforce. The MDCDP is a deliberate, strategic, plan, implemented by MDA leadership, to “grow” the next generation of Missile Defense leaders. With all sincerity, we are not offering jobs, we are offering careers!
The opportunity we offer is for graduating engineers (Bachelor, Master and PhD) in all engineering disciplines, to compete for a position within the MDCDP. This is a two year, rotational, career development program (through three major engineering areas) culminating in the offer of a non-competitive placement within MDA upon an applicant’s successful completion of the program. The two year program is full of coursework, real Missile Defense engineering on real Missile Defense issues and lots of on the job training. You will have a supervisor and a mentor throughout the program who will assist you in planning your training and career progression. The position is fully salaried and has an extensive benefits package. Of the 29 positions, there will be many positions in Huntsville AL (www.asmartplace.com) and perhaps a very few in other locations.
The USA Jobs announcement for the 29 positions will be published on USA Jobs in March or April of 2012. We will post it as soon as we are 100% assured of funding for the entire two year program for each selectee. That means you need to set up a search on USA Jobs now, using the words “Entry Level Engineer” and / or, “Defense Missile Defense Agency” as your key words. We will also post a link to the announcement at www.MDACareers.com at the Entry Level/ Career Development tab.
MDA is offering video teleconferencing to colleges and universities who have over five interested and qualified students facilitated by at least one career services officer. We will make current MDCDP engineers (volunteers) in the program, the program “Champion” (Project Manager) and Human Resource Specialists available to answer your questions during teleconferencing activities. Simply ask your career services officer to get in touch with me to set up a date in the second week of March through the first or second week in April.
