Electronics Engineer

Summary This vacancy is for a Electronics Engineer position within the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration (EA), Strategic Trade (ST), Office of National Security Controls, (ONSC), Maritime, Missile, and Aerospace Division (MMAD). GS-11 Pay Range - $85,447 - $111,087 GS-12 Pay Range - $102,415 - $133,142 If interested, you are encouraged to apply! Learn more about this agency Duties As a Electronics Engineer, you will perform the following duties: Serves as an Electronics Engineer specializing in sensors and laser systems export licensing; and acts as a technical gatekeeper for national security. Conducts studies to identify/analyze potential unwanted technology transfer mechanisms ensuring that design methodology and manufacturing know-how remain protected; and verify if they match the specifications (e.g., beam quality, power output, spectral range, etc.) meeting or exceeding the thresholds declared on license applications. Evaluates for high-tech items to ensure that sensitive U.S. technology-specifically in the fields of photonics, electro-optic , and advanced sensing is not transferred to unauthorized entities. Demonstrates a strong understanding of facts and issues associated with items, parts, components, accessories and/or attachments listed on the Commerce Control List (CCL) (Supplement No.1 to Part 774 of the Export Administration Regulations) and evaluate the strategic applications of entries in the CCL. Formulates, executes, advises on, and explains recommendations or solutions to modify standard practices, equipment, devices, processes, and techniques and resolve a wide variety of complex problems. Analyzes and processes U.S. export license applications in accordance with the EAR through use of electronic databases, and consistent with established U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Electronics Engineer GS-0855-11/12, full performance level, GS-12, positions within the Department of Commerce in the same geographical location or local commuting area with the same qualifications and specialized experience. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. This position requires a TOP SECRET/SCI CLEARANCE: you must be able to obtain and maintain the required clearance. You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. A probationary period may be required. Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/). If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application. All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Bargaining Unit Position: No Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): Yes Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: will not be paid License required: No Drug Test Required: This position is subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug testing thereafter. Qualifications BASIC REQUIREMENT- EDUCATION 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 B. 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: 1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. 2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) 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. 3. 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. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A. 4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive). SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 in the Federal Service or its non-Federal equivalent performing the following: Assisting with the review of any of the following: electronics, photonics, laser systems, electro-optic systems, lidars, and high-power sensors by helping check technical specifications (e.g., beam quality, power output, spectral range, or resolution) to support determinations of compliance with export control or regulatory requirements; and Assisting with export control and regulatory tasks by reviewing any of the following: Commerce Control List (CCL) entries, export license materials, or other technical documents, and analyzing data from open-source or licensing records to support technical analyses, documentation, and briefings used in licensing or compliance processes. Education Substitution: Applicants may qualify with 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, OR a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal Service or its non-Federal equivalent performing the following: Performing evaluations of any of the following: electronics, photonics, laser systems, electro-optic systems, lidars, and high-power sensors by reviewing technical specifications (e.g., beam quality, power output, spectral range, or resolution) to support determinations of compliance with export control or regulatory requirements; and Coordinating export control and regulatory tasks by reviewing any of the following: Commerce Control List (CCL) entries, export license materials, or other technical documents, and analyzing data from open-source or licensing records to support technical analyses, prepare documentation, and inform licensing or compliance decisions; and Preparing written technical summaries, analyses, or briefing materials, and communicating findings to internal stakeholders or interagency groups to support decision-making related to export licensing or technology control issues. Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=Occupational-Series Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government. Experience refers to 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. Education There is a positive education requirement for this position as described above. See the Qualifications Section, above. NOTE: Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. Additional information The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Reasonable Accommodations (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. 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. 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. 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. 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.