Mechanical Engineer

Please see the Addition Information section for information on hiring incentives.

This is a developmental position and may be filled at the GS-07, GS-09, GS-11, or GS-12. If selected at the GS-07, GS-09, or GS-11 level the target level for this assignment is a GS-12. The grade level selected will be based upon your qualifications and responses to the questionnaire. Assignments at the GS-07, GS-09, and GS-11 level will become progressively more difficult and will be under closer than normal supervision until the full performance level is reached. Non-Competitive promotion to the target job may be effected provided you are sufficiently experienced; meet all necessary qualification requirements for promotion to the target job; and is performing the full scope of the major duties.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Mechanical Engineer:You must submit a copy of your transcript.A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (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.ORB. Combination of Education and Experience: Please see link for more details: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

GS-07:Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes knowledge of planning and design; preparing reports; and knowledge of use of various engineering-related software. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

OR

Education: One full academic year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-09:

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes developing portions of mechanical design studies or plans for systems or devices in accordance with standard mechanical engineering practices, methods, criteria, or specifications; Inspecting mechanical features or components of completed projects to ensure they are performing as originally designed; and analyzing mechanical needs in order to make calculations or determine types of systems most suitable to building requirements, agency specifications, and/or prescribed budget. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).

OR

Education: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

OR

Combination Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-11Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) provide limited technical guidance on unusual/complex problems and receive supervisory approval on proposed plans for projects, 2) help to develop plans and assure provisions are available for all facilities, equipment, processes and procedures to accomplish the overhaul, repair or modification of mechanical equipment, 3) assist to prepare written narrative report of findings and recommendations which include proposed layouts, work flows, use of machines and equipment, modification or replacement of machines and equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.

OR

Combination Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage, divide your total months of qualifying experience by 12. Then, divide your semester hours of graduate education by 18. Add the two percentages.

GS-12

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) provide technical guidance on unusual/complex problems and receive supervisory approval on proposed plans for projects, 2) develop plans and assure provisions are available for all facilities, equipment, processes and procedures to accomplish the overhaul, repair or modification of mechanical equipment, 3) prepare written narrative report of findings and recommendations which include proposed layouts, work flows, use of machines and equipment, modification or replacement of machines and equipment. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For the GS-12, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

Preference for the GS-12: A current registration/licensure as a Professional Engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.