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• 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.
• Analyzes and evaluates aerospace vehicles, structures and/or components operating within and/or beyond the earth's atmosphere including production, fabrication, operation, certification and maintenance of aerospace vehicles or associated equipment.
• Analyzes, tests, evaluates, validates, and certifies flight hardware and system capabilities based on design and operational and safety requirements.
• Designs hardware and/or software development, testing, verification, safety, integration, certification, and operations.
• Assesses system performance and vehicle integration needs to meet technical and safety objectives; supports risk assessments; verifies mitigation implementation through inspection, test, and/or analysis; develops recommendations to resolve issues.
• Applies critical inquiry, problem solving, and scientific methodology to complete assessments, make recommendations, or resolve issues.
• Foster 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.

Conditions of employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Start dates will be set after all requirements have been met and verified.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
• This position may require a one year probationary period.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. 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.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

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 with a team of multi-disciplinary engineers involved in applying scientific concepts, methods, and processes related to theoretical analysis of aerospace vehicles to determine their behavior in their environments;
• Demonstrating application of engineering disciplines sufficient to accomplish test, analysis, and technical problem solving on ground and/or flight systems; and
• Supporting engineering activities to ensure delivery of the completed aerospace systems.

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 July 31, 2024.
OR
d) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
e) Expect to complete 3 full academic years of graduate study in an appropriate field by July 31, 2024.
OR
f) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as described in a), b), c), d) and e) above
OR
g) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as described in a), b), c), d) and e) above by July 31, 2024.

To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

• Supporting the development of various aerospace systems and/or subsystems, components or evaluation of these systems and parts as they affect the overall systems;
• Solving technical issues and/or coordinating objective priorities within a team; and
• Assisting with the analysis of the safety and design capabilities of aerospace vehicles or systems.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

• Participating in the development, design, and/or analysis of various aerospace vehicles, systems, subsystems and/or payloads used in space environments;
• Performing the analysis of the safety and design capabilities of aerospace vehicles or systems; and
• Collaborating with senior engineers and team members on plans or schematics to resolve technical problems while meeting project goals and deadlines.

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 (GS-11 ONLY):

Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgy, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Ceramic Engineering, Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mathematics (Pure or Applied) (or other related field), if it includes or is supplemented by nine semester hours (or the equivalent) in machine design, mechanics, hydraulics, dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanical design or mechanical measurement.

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:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving
• 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.