NASA

Engineering Technician

Hampton, Virginia, United States

$61-96k

Full Time

18 minutes ago

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Job description

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.
Fabricates and modifies test articles, tools, and other support hardware as needed out of metal, composites, wood, and other materials by hand or in a machine shop.
Builds, modifies, and disassembles test hardware including full-scale aircraft and spacecraft to prepare them for drop testing or swing testing.
Installs, modifies, repairs, and maintains facility equipment.
Works with the lead technician and researchers to implement formal test plans and rigging plans for full-scale aircraft or spacecraft test article.
Participates in required monthly inspections of facility pivots, winches, hoists. Verifies all lifting hardware certificates prior to use.
Completes all required specialized training requirements annually to meet established safety protocols for working at the Landing and Impact Research facility including but not limited to forklift, bridge crane, and high lift operation.
Completes high worker and fall protection training as required to be able to consistently and safely work at heights of more than 200 ft.
Communicates effectively with all teammates.
Fosters 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.
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
This position may require a one-year trial period.
This position requires the incumbent to have successfully completed a high worker training course or be able to complete that course to work at heights of more than 200 ft.
You must be able to obtain and maintain certifications for fall protection, forklift, and overhead crane operator.

Qualifications

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.

To qualify for GS-09, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level in the Federal service that includes:

Assisting senior technicians in applying metal composite, wood fabrication, electrical, and/or pyrotechnic techniques to basic modifications of test articles in preparation for testing;
Communicating status updates and/or technical issues with internal stakeholders;
Participating in the review of aircraft or spacecraft test plans for safety, cost, or ease of hardware construction.

OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
c) Completed at least 2 full academic years of graduate education in engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
d) An equivalent combination of experience and graduate education

To qualify for GS-10, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service:

Applying metal composite, wood fabrication, electrical, and/or pyrotechnic techniques to intermediate modifications of test articles in preparation for testing;
Communicating status updates and/or technical issues with internal/external stakeholders;
Supporting the review of aircraft or spacecraft test plans for safety, cost, or ease of hardware construction.

To qualify for GS-11, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal service:

Applying metal composite, wood fabrication, electrical, and/or pyrotechnic techniques to complex modifications of test articles in preparation for testing;
Providing team feedback to communicate status updates and/or technical issues with internal/external stakeholders;
Reviewing aircraft or spacecraft test plans for safety, cost, or ease of hardware construction.

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.

Education

If you are using education completed in the United States to meet the qualification requirements, your degree must have been awarded from a college or university that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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 ten 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.

This is a bargaining unit position. If additional selections are made, those positions 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.

Benefits
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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.

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.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

Teamwork
Mechanics
Technology Application
Test Engineering

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.