Electrical Engineer, AST, Electrical Experimental Equipment (Direct Hire)

Summary You will serve as an AST Electrical Engineer in the Test Operations Branch of the Engineering and Test Directorate at NASA's Stennis Space Center. You will support the planning, design, and development of electrical equipment and systems used to operate and control specialized research and development facilities, test equipment, and process systems. Learn more about this agency 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. Leads and coordinates all phases of the propulsion test life cycle including requirements development, engineering design, electrical system modifications and implementation, activation testing, test execution, and post-test data analysis. Operates, maintains, and optimizes integrated electrical systems to support propulsion test objectives. Diagnoses and resolves complex issues involving electrical data and control systems, instrumentation transmitters, programmable logic controllers (PLC), graphical user interfaces, transducers, and associated cabling. Develops detailed procedures for system build-up, checkout, troubleshooting, testing, and maintenance of electrical data acquisition and control systems used in propulsion testing, ensuring accuracy, safety, and configuration control. Provides engineering direction to the resolution of field issues by validating corrective actions and ensuring activities comply with approved procedures, technical requirements, and safety policies. Prepares cost estimates, schedules, hardware selections, technical specifications, purchase justifications, and installation plans. Configures and deploys instrumentation and amplification systems, communicates system capabilities and measurement precision, and applies this expertise to meet customer data-collection and control requirements for propulsion test articles. Requirements Conditions of employment This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section** 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/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements. Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements. 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: Assisting with identifying and investigating problems in electrical data and control systems; Utilizing control systems or Ladder Logic programming or similar systems; and Identifying, or resolving complex technical issues associated with test/facility operations. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate 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: Utilizing data acquisition systems and instrumentation key number calculation techniques; Utilizing control systems or Ladder Logic programming to assist with system modification; and Identifying, investigating, and resolving complex technical issues associated with propulsion test/facility operations. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Utilizing data acquisition systems to perform instrumentation key-number calculations while applying advanced configuration techniques; Utilizing control systems and Ladder Logic programming to support troubleshooting, system modifications, and integration activities; and Identifying, investigating, and resolving complex technical issues affecting test and facility operations by using engineering judgment, system diagnostics, and cross-disciplinary coordination to restore functionality and maintain mission readiness. 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 (GS-11): Code 740 Facilities: Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Astronautical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Optical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Astronautics, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Geology, Materials Science, Mathematics (Pure or Applied), Metallurgy, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics (or other related field), if includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in appropriate physical science or engineering courses. 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, Computer Science, or other field of Science c) Social science, medical, or other fields directly related to the duties of the position. 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. How You May Qualify at the GS-09 Level and Above Applicants at the GS-09 level and above who meet the basic education requirement and possess at least one year of directly related experience may be considered qualified even when their academic major or coursework is not an exact match to the specialty area of the position. In these cases, greater weight is given to the quality and level of the applicant's directly related experience. 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. 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 Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/ Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit. Probationary Period You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits 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. Review our 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.