Duties
- Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
- Provide expertise in assessing aerospace flight vehicle/system design and qualification requirements as they relate to NASA’s overall strategic goals.
- Apply critical inquiry, problem solving, and scientific methodology to complete assessments, make recommendations, or resolve issues involving aerospace flight systems.
- Provide customer insight to the resolution of issues on all aspects of aerospace flight development/operation, including system performance, configuration, component definition, operational capabilities, reliability, or safety.
- Generate and apply practical concepts, processes, and systems related to traditional engineering science disciplines and their applicability to aerospace flight systems.
- Integrate unique aerospace flight systems, customer products, and project and/or program elements to satisfy launch vehicle, spacecraft, aircraft, or launch site design and operational requirements.
- Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-NASA Center requirements.
- You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
- This position may require a one-year trial period.
- The location will be determined upon selection but must be at one of the locations indicated within the announcement.
- Applicants who want to be considered for onsite interviews MUST select: Armstrong Flight Research Center, Ames Research Center, Johnson Space Center, or Marshall Space Flight Center locations in the “Announcement Questionnaire” section.
Qualifications
In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work.
NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA’s unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.
To qualify for GS-11, you must have:
a) You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level:
- Working with a team of multi-disciplinary engineers involved in applying scientific concepts, methods, and processes related to theoretical analysis of aerospace vehicles to determine their behavior in their environments; or
- Applying engineering disciplines involving theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies to accomplish test, analysis, and technical problem solving on aerospace systems; and
- Supporting system engineering activities to ensure delivery of the completed aerospace system.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in a directly related field
OR
c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in a directly related field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above
To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:
- Completing evaluations of aerospace components using analysis, design, fabrication, or testing processes supported by a final review by a senior engineer;
- Participating in the process of conducting tests and/or reviewing data to evaluate performance;
- Interpreting calculations, computations, or analyzing technical information; and
- Assisting with resolving a variety of conventional flight or interface problems, questions, or situations in conformance with established criteria where the work product or service affects the design or operation of systems, programs, or equipment.
To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:
- Evaluating aerospace components through analysis, design, fabrication, or testing;
- Conducting tests and/or reviewing data to evaluate flight systems performance;
- Performing and interpreting calculations, computations, or analyzing technical information; and
- Resolving and/or troubleshooting unique or novel problems, conditions, and issues related to aerospace or aeronautical flight systems.
Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job. NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA’s guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.
Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only:
Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgy, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Ceramic Engineering, Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mathematics (Pure or Applied) (or other related field), if it includes or is supplemented by nine semester hours (or the equivalent) in machine design, mechanics, hydraulics, dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanical design or mechanical measurement.
Education
Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in one of the following:
a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.
If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.
Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.
Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.
Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.
Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.
Additional information
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.
This appointment may be extended beyond the initial appointment date, for a period not to exceed a total of 10-years.
Current Federal civilian employees may apply for this position. If selected, a break in service of at least 4 calendar days may be required prior to appointment to this position.
If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
– Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
– Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
– Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in ‘Required Documents’
For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here – https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.
Depending on position assignment, position may or may not be in a bargaining unit. To learn more about bargaining units at NASA please click here NASA Unions (Bargaining Units) | NASA.
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Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans’ preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.
Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans’ preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans’ Preference information on the FedsHireVets website.
You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the vacancy questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.
There will be a panel resume review to determine which applicants will be considered for onsite interviews. If you are being considered for an onsite interview during the SWE event you will be contacted through the email address associated with your USAJOBS account. Ensure that your email account is up-to-date and accurate as you go through the application process.
You will be assessed on the following competencies:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Flight Systems
- Technical Competence
- Interpersonal Skills
- Oral Communication
- Planning and Evaluating
- Problem Solving
NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.
