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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.
• Develops or modifies conventional system components in a critical or specialized area. Defines, develops, modifies, tests, and integrates software, data systems, computer hardware systems, or simulation models.
• Works in software development teams writing C++ desktop applications and system services. Performs unit testing and prepares documentation in support of the developed software. Prepares and/or presents project or study reports on findings.
• Performs integration and testing of developed software as part of a larger system of software applications. Conducts troubleshooting. Helps to resolve functional issues during and after software deployment to the field.
• Plans and conducts conventional flight and/or ground system development work on projects.
• Ensures the development of software and technical documents are on time and within budget. Performs additional data systems and analysis work.
• Executes software engineering principles across the full engineering life cycle to include: requirements, design, development, configuration management, test, and deployment.
• Prepares hardware designs for complex space flight systems. Conducts end-to-end functional tests of hardware systems to validate specified performance. Develops electrical interfaces to ensure system/vehicle functional compatibility.
• Serves as a computer scientist on projects involving conventional tests. Performs analysis or operational or simulation testing of requirements to ensure the structural integrity of the software, hardware, equipment, or system.
• Utilizes specialized knowledge of object-oriented design, threaded programming, C++, network programming, and/or Linux programming.

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
• Applications will be considered from candidates who meet the education qualification requirements by June 30, 2022. All other qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
• A one-year trial period may be required.
• Please see the "Additional Information" section for important information about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees.
• This vacancy announcement has been extended to amend the close date to 1/13/2022.

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-07, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level studying or assisting in aerospace related research, development design, operations, or or assisting senior computer engineers in developing software; assisting senior computer engineers performing unit testing and preparing documentation in support of the developed software; applying knowledge of: object oriented design, threaded programming, C++, network programming, and/or Linux programming.
OR
b) Completed, or will have completed, 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field by June 30, 2022
OR
c) Any combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field
d) You may also qualify at the GS-07 level by meeting one of these Special Provisions:

1. Are in the upper third of your class, based on completed college work at the time of filing an application.
2. Have an average of 2.9 or better on a 4.0 scale for either all completed college work at the time of application or all college courses completed during the last 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum.
3. Achieved a grade average of B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or better in the major field of study where such field is fully qualifying. This is either the average of all completed college work in the major field of study at the time of application or the average of all college courses completed in the major field of study during the last 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum.
4. Elected to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies (other than freshman honor societies). These honor societies are listed at ACHS.
5. Completed 12 months of student trainee experience that includes at least one work period equivalent to the GS-5, or at least 15 months of appropriate student trainee experience which includes one work period equivalent to the GS-04 level. One work period is 2 months or 320 hours.
6. For engineering positions, successfully completed a 5-year program of study, or at least 160 semester hours, leading to a bachelor's degree.
7. For engineering positions, have a professional engineering degree, and up to 12 months of experience gained as a technician or technologist equivalent to the GS-5 or higher level.
8. Successfully completed all requirements for two bachelor's degrees, one in an appropriate field of science or engineering.
9. Have six months of directly related/specialized experience or training, including 3 months gained after the junior year of college. This experience may have been obtained on a part-time or intermittent basis and may have been paid or unpaid.
10. Received honors or elective positions indicating superior leadership outside of your academic setting. Additionally, your academic standing must have been in the upper half of the graduating class.
11. Have pattern of completing courses that include unusual preparatory value or direct relation to the particular aerospace specialty for which you are being considered.
12. Have creative research aptitude or special talent for NASA scientific or engineering work. This must be shown by evidence obtained and documented by NASA in certifications from college professors or officials, or standardized questionnaires, or similar techniques.

To qualify for GS-09, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level assisting in developing software; performing unit testing and preparing documentation in support of the developed software; applying knowledge of: object-oriented design, threaded programming, C++, network programming, and/or Linux programming.
OR
b) Completed, or will complete, all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field by June 30, 2022
OR
c) Completed 2 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 by June 30, 2022

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 working on software development individually and as part of the team developing software systems; developing user interfaces; performing unit testing and preparing documentation in support of the developed software; applying knowledge of: object-oriented design, threaded programming, C++, network programming, and/or Linux programming.
OR
b) Completed, or will complete, all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field by June 30, 2022
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 by June 30, 2022

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:

If qualifying based on education alone, applications will be accepted from applicants who meet the degree requirements by June 30, 2022.

Code 735 Data: Computer Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: a. Computer Science and Pure Mathematics are fully qualifying for Data Analysis, Modeling and Theoretical Simulation Techniques positions without further course requirements. For Data Systems, Hardware Systems and Software Systems positions, Computer Science and Pure Mathematics are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in appropriate Physical Science or Engineering courses and includes or is supplemented by at least two courses shown under "b.2." b. Applied Mathematics is qualifying if includes or is supplemented by at least two of the following courses: 1. For Data Analysis, Modeling and Theoretical Simulation Techniques: numerical methods (or numerical analysis); linear algebra, theory of equations, differential equations, mathematical statistics (if six semester hour course), operating systems, theory of computation, computer networks, programming languages, data structures, data base management, computer graphics, compiler construction, computer architecture, software engineering. 2. For Data Systems, Hardware Systems and Software Systems: electronics, electrical networks, solid-state physics (for transistors, tapes, etc.), optics (for simulation), electricity and magnetism, computer organization, logic design, control systems, communication theory. c. Other appropriate physical science and engineering majors are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by six semester hours (or the equivalent) in Mathematics beyond Basic Calculus and includes or is supplemented by at least two courses shown above under "b."

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:
Computer Languages
Computer Systems and Engineering
Software Development
Technical Competence

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.