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Electronics Engineer, AST - Telecommunications (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Communications and Intelligent Systems Division at the NASA Glenn Research Center (Cleveland, Ohio), is currently seeking interested candidates for the position of Electronics Engineer, AST Telecommunications. You will plan and conduct research and development activities in advanced communication network architectures, protocols, and define, analyze, and develop communication subsystems, systems, and architectures, for space and aeronautical-based technology applications.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 10/06/2022
Closed date: 10/17/2022
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$61,227 - $89,815 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 11
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
GRC-22-DE-11647049-CWO
Control number
681684600

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

** This vacancy has been amended to extend the closing date from 10/11/22 to 10/17/22.**

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Duties

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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.
  • Conduct research and technology development in the areas of advanced communications network architectures, protocols, for space and aeronautical-based technology applications.
  • Identify, design, develop, and validate new network-based architectures, components, systems, and sub-systems for integration into aeronautics and space applications. Validation can include analytical, test, and/or measurement approaches.
  • Conduct analysis, design, modeling, and simulation of communications network components (e.g., high speed switches, routers), subsystems and full systems/architectures (satellite terminals) using hardware emulations and computer modeling software.
  • Develop prototype space and aeronautical network system/architecture emulations and demonstrations in a laboratory or relevant environment for integration of lunar or aero data traffic technologies and autonomous decision making.
  • Conduct modeling and simulation of communication and navigation systems for both space and aeronautics and conduct trade studies of alternative approaches.
  • Participate on teams to solve technical problems while applying electrical and computer engineering principles to complex space and aeronautical computer-based systems. May lead research or development task areas in support of larger projects.
  • Provide advice to colleagues, management and contractor personnel regarding status, anomalies, modifications, operational parameters, and risk mitigation to support formal reviews, presentations, and deliverables.
  • Assist in developing communication networks, fundamental and novel emerging technologies to support lunar, space and aeronautical flight programs and projects.
  • Gain awareness of networking technology, advancements, and latest trends in satellite, lunar, and aeronautical communications, services, and technology, and software analysis/simulation techniques and related fields through journals and publications.

Requirements

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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
  • Start dates will be set after all requirements have been met and verified.

Qualifications

You must have received a qualifying degree on or before May 31, 2023 to meet the education requirements for this position.

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below and 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-09, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:

  • Assisting with communications networking, systems, or components for data communication environments; and
  • Assisting with software programming, modeling techniques, languages, hardware integrations, or other communications techniques.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
OR
c) Expect to complete all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field by May 31, 2023
OR
d) Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
OR
e) Expect to complete 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field by May 31, 2023
OR
f) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c), d) and e) above

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:
  • Supporting the development of communications networking, systems, and components for data communication environments; and
  • Utilizing software software programming, modeling techniques, languages, hardware integrations, or other communications techniques to support simulations/emulations of signals and systems for data transmission/reception.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
OR
c) Expect to complete all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field by May 31, 2023
OR
d) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
OR
e) Expect to complete 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field by May 31, 2023
OR
f) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c), d), and e) 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, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering (except power), Electronics Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Oceanography, Optical Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics (Pure or Applied), Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics (or other related field), if includes or is supplemented by two courses in solid state physics, materials, optics, statics and dynamics, electricity and electronics, electron optics, kinetic theory of gases, electromagnetic propagation or radiation, semiconductors, vibration, high vacuum theory, information theory or heat transfer.

Education

Applications will be considered from candidates who meet the education qualification requirements by May 31, 2023. All other qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Education Requirement:
You must have successfully completed, or expect to complete by May 31, 2023, a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:
a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: 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://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

Applicants may apply who are enrolled in a qualifying degree program and are expected to complete their degree program by May 31, 2023.

Vacancies will be filled in the following Branches within the Communications and Intelligent Systems Division at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

The System Architectures and Analytical Studies Branch:

The System Architectures and Analytical Studies Branch focuses on research, development, and engineering to define, assess, and develop advanced systems/concepts for space exploration and aeronautics. A successful candidate for this position will support:

- System concept and architecture development for near-Earth communications, lunar surface and vicinity communications and navigation, and communications, navigation, and surveillance for aeronautics.
- Development of new modeling and simulation techniques and tools
- End-to-end system emulation/test bed development to assess and advance communication technologies
- Providing communication system expertise to ground-based technology projects and space and aero flight projects.
- Validation of new operational concepts, systems, sub-systems, and components through ground or space/aero demonstrations

Secure Networks, System Integration & Test Branch:

The Secure Networks, System Integration & Test Branch focuses on protocol and network research and development; network security; and communications system integration, test, and demonstration. A successful candidate for this position will support:

- Research and development of advanced communications network architectures, and protocols; and
- Technology development and network-based applications for aeronautics and space, and
- Conducting network level analyses, emulations and developing network design and security requirements, and
- Integration, test, demonstration and verification of communication system network plans and systems for aeronautics and space applications that operate over a range of different data rates and types.

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.

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.

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:

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Electronics Engineering
  • Technical Competence
  • Communication Networks and 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.

John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

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Agency contact information

NASA Shared Services Contact Center
Phone
1-877-677-2123
Fax
1-866-779-6772
Email
nssc-contactcenter@mail.nasa.gov
Address
Glenn Research Center
21000 Brookpark Rd
Cleveland, OH 44135
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.nasa.gov/careers

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