NASA's Recent Graduates program provides an opportunity for you to gain experience in the Federal civil service at the beginning of your career. If selected, you will be placed in a dynamic, one-year development program, and provided with a mentor and an individual training plan that may include specialized training, formal rotation assignments, and other developmental activities. If you successfully complete the program, you may be converted to a term or permanent position.
Summary
NASA's Recent Graduates program provides an opportunity for you to gain experience in the Federal civil service at the beginning of your career. If selected, you will be placed in a dynamic, one-year development program, and provided with a mentor and an individual training plan that may include specialized training, formal rotation assignments, and other developmental activities. If you successfully complete the program, you may be converted to a term or permanent position.
Serve as a NASA Pathways Recent Graduate Engineering Technician at the Langley Research Center under the supervision and mentor-ship of senior Engineering Technicians.
Participate in one or more of the following using a variety of instruments/equipment and data acquisition systems: composite fabrication, mechanical testing, operation of a small hypersonic wind tunnel or operation of a large thermal vacuum chamber.
Use a variety of fabrication equipment for: composite fabrication, additive manufacturing, models and test articles, machining, casting models, computer numerical control programming, instrumentation and autoclave operation.
Assemble and test components to assure research requirements are achieved. Make final acceptance/rejection recommendations after resolving problem areas and negotiating required modifications.
This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S
You must meet qualifications requirements at the time of your application
Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties of the position being filled
You will be required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement
If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, you must be registered with the Selective Service to be eligible for Federal employment and this program
Please see the "Additional Information" section for important information about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees.
Qualifications
In addition to the qualification standards listed below, individuals must meet the specific educational requirements outlined in the Education section of this announcement.
TO QUALIFY FOR THE GS-04, you must have:
a) At least 12 months of experience with at least 6 months of general experience performing any type of work that demonstrates your ability to perform technical engineering methods or that provided a familiarity with engineering technology, construction technology, industrial technology, or associated processes; and at least 6 months of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-03 level in the Federal service that includes working knowledge of using standard procedures and operations in technical engineering methods and practices related to design, manufacture, assembly, inspection, testing, and operation of space flight vehicles, spacecraft, and/or developmental systems and hardware. [NOTE: Your specialized experience can substitute for having less than 6 months of generalized experience, as long as your total experience is at least 12 months.]
OR
b) Two years of post-secondary study that included at least 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics
OR
c) An equivalent combination of experience and education.
TO QUALIFY FOR THE GS-05, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level in the Federal service that includes performing duties such as operating and making operational adjustments to machine shop equipment; applying basic machine shop procedures and operations for the design, manufacture, assembly, inspection or testing of mechanical pieces, parts or devices; extracting and compiling data and measurements.
OR
b) Completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major in engineering, construction, or industrial technology.
OR
c) Completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
d) An equivalent combination of experience and education.
TO QUALIFY FOR THE GS-06, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that includes advanced knowledge of standard procedures and operations in technical engineering methods and practices used in the design, manufacture, assembly, inspection, testing, and operation of spaceflight vehicles, spacecraft, and/or developmental systems and hardware. Experience that demonstrates ability to apply mechanical skills in the practical design, construction, testing and operational tasks connected to aerospace flight hardware.
OR
b) One year full academic year of graduate education in engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.
OR
c) An equivalent combination of experience and graduate education. 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.
Education
You must have successfully completed a certificate or degree program within the last two (2) years from the date of your application.
The following Engineering Technology majors/degree programs are preferred:
Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Technology
Computer Aided Design and Drafting- Electrical Engineering Technology
Electronics Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Mechatronics
U.S. 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/
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.
Additional information
Recent Graduate appointees who success complete the one-year program may be considered for conversion* to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service. Should you be converted, you will enter a formal training program in the Langley Research Center's Engineering Technician Apprentice Program (ETAP). The Apprentice program consists of both on-the-job and related classroom training. Apprentices will complete at least three additional years performing on-the-job work assignments and classroom training. Successful program completion requires a total of four years to complete the 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and education needed to be certified technicians. Graduates of the ETAP will be certified as an Engineering Technicians with promotion potential to the GS-12 level.
*Eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that NASA will offer conversion.
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.
Additional information on the NASA Pathways Program at NASA can be found at: NASA Pathways Program
If you are selected, NASA may request information regarding your vaccination status for the purposes of implementing workplace safety protocols, such as masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine.
Due to COVID-19, NASA is currently in an expanded telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to temporarily telework, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Once employees are permitted to return to the office, you will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement within 30 days. At that time, you may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency's telework policy.
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.
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:
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Integrity/Honesty
Interpersonal Skills
Learning
Reading
Self-Management (Achievement)
Teamwork
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.
Under NASA's category rating process, applicants will be assessed on the position competencies and placed in one of three categories identified and defined below: :
Best Qualified Category - Applicants who demonstrate a superior level of all evaluation criteria.
Highly Qualified Category - Applicants who demonstrate a satisfactory level of the evaluation criteria.
Qualified Category - Applicants who demonstrate the basic qualifications, with general knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Names of all qualified candidates in the Best Qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration (unless a sufficient number of qualified veterans are found - in which case only those names will be initially certified ). Candidates within the Best Qualified category who are eligible for veteran preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
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.
A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
The following documents are required:
Resume
Transcript
While a transcript is the preferred proof of qualifying education, you may submit any of the following items:
An unofficial transcript
A copy of an official transcript
A copy of a degree (i.e. a picture or scan)
A list of completed/credited courses that includes, the title, course code, and number of semester, quarter or classroom hours for each course (i.e., BUAD- 101-Introduction to Business, 3 Semester hours)
If you are using education to qualify for this position, you will lose consideration if you do not submit proof of your education. Documents must fully support the education requirements listed above. Incomplete documents or documents that do not show completion of required degree program or coursework may result in disqualification.
There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application.
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. For more information on veterans' preference and possible other supporting documents that you may have to submit, please visit FedshireVets
Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.
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.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin the application process, click on the 'Apply' link. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
If you have questions about this announcement, you may contact the agency toll free at the phone number located below. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to Langley Research Center will not be accepted for this announcement.
Langley Research Center
1 NASA Dr
Hampton, VA 23666
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Throughout the process you will receive regular status updates through USAJOBS. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are found qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the hiring manager.
If you are selected, you will be notified by phone or email with a tentative job offer. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing a scheduled appointment, we may rescind a tentative job offer.
An official, written job offer will be issued once all requirements have been verified.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
The following documents are required:
Resume
Transcript
While a transcript is the preferred proof of qualifying education, you may submit any of the following items:
An unofficial transcript
A copy of an official transcript
A copy of a degree (i.e. a picture or scan)
A list of completed/credited courses that includes, the title, course code, and number of semester, quarter or classroom hours for each course (i.e., BUAD- 101-Introduction to Business, 3 Semester hours)
If you are using education to qualify for this position, you will lose consideration if you do not submit proof of your education. Documents must fully support the education requirements listed above. Incomplete documents or documents that do not show completion of required degree program or coursework may result in disqualification.
There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application.
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. For more information on veterans' preference and possible other supporting documents that you may have to submit, please visit FedshireVets
Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.
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.
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin the application process, click on the 'Apply' link. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
If you have questions about this announcement, you may contact the agency toll free at the phone number located below. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to Langley Research Center will not be accepted for this announcement.
Langley Research Center
1 NASA Dr
Hampton, VA 23666
US
Next steps
Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Throughout the process you will receive regular status updates through USAJOBS. To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you are found qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the hiring manager.
If you are selected, you will be notified by phone or email with a tentative job offer. If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing a scheduled appointment, we may rescind a tentative job offer.
An official, written job offer will be issued once all requirements have been verified.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
