The Flight Software Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center has an exciting opportunity in the area of software and computer engineering. You will work with a group of superb software engineers to create software systems that perform experiments in space or advance research concepts. The focus is on microgravity research, aeronautics, and communications.
The organization responsibilities include providing discipline software engineering for flight and ground software systems; and performing all phases of the software engineering life cycle including concept definition, requirement development, architecture, design, implementation, test, installation, system verification and validation and maintenance.
This is a bargaining unit position (i.e., covered under labor/management agreement).
Please Note: The salary for selectees will be set at the Step 1 of the General Schedule (GS) grade 7 ($47,027) and are non-negotiable unless Highest Previous Rate rules apply .
As identical vacancies are identified, additional selections may be made from this announcement.
To receive consideration, you must submit a resume and answer NASA-specific questions. The NASA questions appear after you submit your resume and are transferred to the NASA web site. If you successfully apply, USAJOBS will show your application status as 'Received'. If your status is 'Application Status Not Available', you have not successfully applied. Do not rely on a USAJOBS email to confirm successful application. Only an email from NASA confirms a successful application.
Summary
The Flight Software Branch at NASA Glenn Research Center has an exciting opportunity in the area of software and computer engineering. You will work with a group of superb software engineers to create software systems that perform experiments in space or advance research concepts. The focus is on microgravity research, aeronautics, and communications.
The organization responsibilities include providing discipline software engineering for flight and ground software systems; and performing all phases of the software engineering life cycle including concept definition, requirement development, architecture, design, implementation, test, installation, system verification and validation and maintenance.
This is a bargaining unit position (i.e., covered under labor/management agreement).
Please Note: The salary for selectees will be set at the Step 1 of the General Schedule (GS) grade 7 ($47,027) and are non-negotiable unless Highest Previous Rate rules apply .
As identical vacancies are identified, additional selections may be made from this announcement.
To receive consideration, you must submit a resume and answer NASA-specific questions. The NASA questions appear after you submit your resume and are transferred to the NASA web site. If you successfully apply, USAJOBS will show your application status as 'Received'. If your status is 'Application Status Not Available', you have not successfully applied. Do not rely on a USAJOBS email to confirm successful application. Only an email from NASA confirms a successful application.
*Provides assistance in designing, developing, installing, testing, or evaluating data handling and computing systems for aerospace, aeronautical, space science and/or earth science vehicles, spacecraft or instruments, their support equipment or experiment systems (involving both the hardware and software) and data systems for acquiring, reducing, and computing data to meet end-to-end data systems needs.
*Increases knowledge in the profession while assisting senior members of the staff in the performance of analytical, scientific, and/or engineering assignments.
*Receives advanced training through classroom and on-the-job instruction to provide a more thorough understanding of and exposure to laws and regulations, administrative policies, production/validation processes, and the various methods employed in design, evaluation, research, or other analytical, scientific, and/or engineering functions.
*May independently carry out the more common standardized professional assignments in which he/she has received specific or related training.
*Researches and analyzes data, issues, and information that support project recommendations or the work assignments of higher-grade specialists.
*Prepares well-researched and logically organized presentations related to work assignments.
U.S. citizenship is required. You must meet all qualification requirements by December 31, 2017. Occasional travel may be required.
Qualifications
In order to qualify for this position you must meet Basic Education Requirement
You must have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree with a major in either a) engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs or b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science, Computer Science, Other fields of science.
Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.
The degree must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.
ABET accreditation requirement applies to foreign education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to the education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. If selected, a written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided to the Human Resources official making the offer. Please indicate in your resume that you have had your foreign education formally evaluated. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in your being found unqualified for the position.
You must list your majors, related coursework, and GPA.
Additional Qualification Requirements : In addition to meeting the Basic Education Requirements you must also meet additional qualification requirements:
Additional Qualifications for the GS-7:
You must meet the academic major and coursework requirements.
A. Have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal service studying or assisting in aerospace related research, development design, operations, Or
Demonstrated experience in the fundamentals of software engineering and object-oriented programming.
OR
B. Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field.
OR
C. Have combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field.
You may also qualify at the GS-7 level by meeting one of the Special Provisions:
1. Are in the upper third of their class, based on completed college work at the time of filing an application.
2. Have an average of 2.90 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 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-4 level. One work period is 2 months or 320 hours.
6. Successfully completed a 5-year program of study, or at least 160 semester hours, leading to a bachelor’s degree.
7. 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 the applicant's academic setting. Additionally, the applicant's 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 they 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.
Education
Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only: 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."
Additional information
Any applicant tentatively selected for this position may be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation. Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. See 'How You Will Be Evaluated' for definition of well qualified. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP consideration must indicate their eligibility when applying for a position. The USAJOBS resume asks you to identify your ICTAP eligibility; the NASA Supplemental Information asks you to identify your CTAP eligibility. If you are selected for the position, you must be prepared to submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. In order to receive preference in hiring, you must clearly identify your claim for veterans preference on your resume.
NASA's Applicant Guide provides the information needed to assist you in determining whether or not you can claim 5 or 10 point veterans preference. You should not submit documents to prove your eligibility for veterans preference at this time. However, you must be prepared to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form) as requested by the Human Resources Office. Veterans preference will only be considered based on what is supported For instance, if you claim 10-point preference, but are only able to document 5-point preference, you will be considered accordingly. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.
Your USAJOBS account asks you to assign a name to each of your resumes. When you apply to a NASA position, we will show you the text of the resume you have submitted, but we do not maintain the name you have assigned to that resume. If you wish to keep track of that information, we recommend you make note of it at the time you apply.
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.
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.
NASA uses an automated system (Resumix) that matches the competencies extracted from your resume to the competencies identified by the selecting official for the position. Based on the competencies you match, you are placed in one of three categories identified as 90, 80, or 70 pt. quality categories, which are defined as:
90 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and has experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.
80 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.
70 pt. Category - Fails to meet criteria described in the 80 pt. category.
Additional application guidance is available in NASA's Applicant Guide.
Information for Veterans: The Category Rating Process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed at the top of the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.
For the purpose of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), candidates rated in the top quality category are considered well-qualified
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.
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.
NASA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility. In order to apply for this position, you only need to submit your resume and answer the screening questions and supplemental information. No additional documentation is accepted at the time of application. (For example you need not submit narrative 'KSA' statements; they are not required and will not be evaluated.) In this way we allow you to focus on preparing a resume that best describes your background and abilities. For assistance in preparing your resume, consult the Applicant Guide. Nothing further is required until requested by the Human Resources Office. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume. For example, we may ask you to provide academic transcripts or proof of Federal employment status. If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form). If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This vacancy is being filled through NASA STARS, an automated Staffing and Recruitment System. NASA partners with USAJOBS in providing a seamless application process. Before you begin the application process, please read the vacancy announcement carefully and have all required information available. You may begin the process of submitting your resume by clicking on the 'Apply Online' link. In order to be considered, you must submit a resume completed on the USAJOBS site. When completing your USAJOBS resume, please remember that NASA limits resumes to approximately 32,000 characters including spaces. NASA does not accept resumes uploaded to USAJOBS from a second source or documents attached through USAJOBS' document attachment feature. Once you submit your resume to NASA, you will be asked to complete a short series of additional questions. You must finish the entire process in order to have a complete application package and receive consideration. Your answers will not be saved unless you finish the entire application. You may edit a previously-submitted application, if the announcement is still open. If you are unable to apply electronically for this position, submit your resume and supplemental questions to: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 4200 Rideout Road Resume Operations Center/Mailstop: HS50 Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812.
DO NOT submit your resume directly to the Center advertising this vacancy. Mailed resumes must be received by the close of business on the closing date of the announcement. Hard copy resumes requirements are provided at: Hard Copy Resume Requirements. If you are a first time applicant, we recommend that you review NASA's Applicant Guide to ensure that you are providing a complete resume. Failure to submit the supplemental data and a resume that contains all of the required information may result in loss of consideration for positions in which you are interested. All applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
NASA's Resume Operations Center
4200 Rideout Road, Mailstop HS50
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
US
Next steps
Candidates for NASA positions are evaluated using our automated staffing and recruitment system, NASA STARS, which compares your skills and experience as described in your resume with the requirements of the position. If you are found to be a highly qualified candidate, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. (In some cases, individuals with priority for special consideration must be considered and selected before other candidates.) Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the selecting official. At NASA, we pride ourselves on efficient and timely recruitment actions, and you can normally expect to learn the outcome of the selection process in a fairly short period of time. In addition, to ensure that you can measure progress for yourself, NASA provides you with regularly updated information on the status of the vacancy announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
NASA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility. In order to apply for this position, you only need to submit your resume and answer the screening questions and supplemental information. No additional documentation is accepted at the time of application. (For example you need not submit narrative 'KSA' statements; they are not required and will not be evaluated.) In this way we allow you to focus on preparing a resume that best describes your background and abilities. For assistance in preparing your resume, consult the Applicant Guide. Nothing further is required until requested by the Human Resources Office. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume. For example, we may ask you to provide academic transcripts or proof of Federal employment status. If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form). If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This vacancy is being filled through NASA STARS, an automated Staffing and Recruitment System. NASA partners with USAJOBS in providing a seamless application process. Before you begin the application process, please read the vacancy announcement carefully and have all required information available. You may begin the process of submitting your resume by clicking on the 'Apply Online' link. In order to be considered, you must submit a resume completed on the USAJOBS site. When completing your USAJOBS resume, please remember that NASA limits resumes to approximately 32,000 characters including spaces. NASA does not accept resumes uploaded to USAJOBS from a second source or documents attached through USAJOBS' document attachment feature. Once you submit your resume to NASA, you will be asked to complete a short series of additional questions. You must finish the entire process in order to have a complete application package and receive consideration. Your answers will not be saved unless you finish the entire application. You may edit a previously-submitted application, if the announcement is still open. If you are unable to apply electronically for this position, submit your resume and supplemental questions to: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) 4200 Rideout Road Resume Operations Center/Mailstop: HS50 Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812.
DO NOT submit your resume directly to the Center advertising this vacancy. Mailed resumes must be received by the close of business on the closing date of the announcement. Hard copy resumes requirements are provided at: Hard Copy Resume Requirements. If you are a first time applicant, we recommend that you review NASA's Applicant Guide to ensure that you are providing a complete resume. Failure to submit the supplemental data and a resume that contains all of the required information may result in loss of consideration for positions in which you are interested. All applications must be received no later than midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.
NASA's Resume Operations Center
4200 Rideout Road, Mailstop HS50
Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812
US
Next steps
Candidates for NASA positions are evaluated using our automated staffing and recruitment system, NASA STARS, which compares your skills and experience as described in your resume with the requirements of the position. If you are found to be a highly qualified candidate, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. (In some cases, individuals with priority for special consideration must be considered and selected before other candidates.) Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the selecting official. At NASA, we pride ourselves on efficient and timely recruitment actions, and you can normally expect to learn the outcome of the selection process in a fairly short period of time. In addition, to ensure that you can measure progress for yourself, NASA provides you with regularly updated information on the status of the vacancy announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
