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• Duties described below are at the full-performance level. Duties assigned at a lower grade level will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Apply modern experimental measurement techniques and/or computational fluid dynamics analyses to evaluate the characteristics of aerodynamic flows associated with the inlets and nozzles of air-breathing propulsion vehicles.
• Apply computer-aided design and modeling tools and techniques to plan, design and evaluate the aerodynamic performance characteristics of flows associated with inlets and nozzles.
• Perform aerospace engineering studies with elements or components from related disciplines, such as systems engineering, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, turbomachinery, acoustics and integrated propulsion system design and operation.
• Develop and apply appropriate computer mathematical models to perform required analyses and optimization.
• Plan and conduct experiments and computational studies or review data from past work to evaluate performance in areas of air-breathing propulsion systems.
• Prepare technical documents documenting processes and results. Prepare and present research within work group and at professional meetings and conferences.
• Provide research and computational support to address all project requirements necessary for the design, testing, data reduction and reporting of experiments conducted in small- and large-scale experimental test facilities.

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
• A one-year trial period may be required.

Qualifications

In addition to the basic education requirement (shown below), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.
To qualify for GS-11, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level with technical experience in two or more of the following areas: propulsion, fluid dynamics, and modeling and analysis relevant to the design, development, test and/or operation design, development, test and/or operation of air-breathing propulsion systems and experience assisting with research projects in one or more of these areas.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a) and b) above

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.

Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of graduate education only:

Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Astrophysics, Electrical Engineering (except power), Electronics Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics.
Other appropriate physical or computer science, mathematics or engineering fields are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by at least 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) of appropriate physical science or engineering courses including nine semester hours (or the equivalent) of physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics or gas dynamics.

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 on 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:
Fluid Dynamics and Mechanics
Airbreathing Propulsion

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.