Clarification from the agency

** This vacancy has been amended to extend the closing date from 10/21/2022 to 10/25/2022.**

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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 analysis, design, modeling, and simulation of communications components (e.g., antennas, RF circuits), subsystems (e.g., frequency converters, RF front ends, signal processing), and full systems/architectures using computer modeling software.
• Identify, design, develop, and validate new architecture, components, systems, and sub-systems for integration into aeronautics and space applications. Validation can include analytical, test, and/or measurement approaches.
• Develop prototype space and aeronautical system/architecture emulations and demonstrations in a laboratory or relevant environment.
• Develop technology products to meet sponsor commitments and report on major accomplishments in the form of formal reviews, presentations, and hardware or software deliverables.
• Develop and disseminate new knowledge through research and development in areas of satellite communications and systems, RF and optical communication systems, measurement techniques, link analysis, and digital modulation and coding.
• Document methods, results, and recommendations through internal and external reports, position papers, presentations, and publications. Report on accomplishments in the form of formal reviews, presentations, and hardware or software deliverables.
• Define concepts, develop, and assess requirements for future space exploration (e.g., Earth, Lunar and Mars) and new aeronautical systems within the National Airspace System (e.g. unpiloted autonomous air vehicles).
• Work independently and in teams to solve technical problems. May lead research or development task areas in support of larger projects.
• Develop new analytical capability and tools, technology products, subsystems, and systems for space and aeronautical applications.

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

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.

GS-07: To qualify at the GS-07 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the federal sector:

• Studying or assisting in aerospace related research, development design, operations, or
• Using computer modeling and simulation tools or analytical applications to accomplish projects, designs and/or plans.

OR
b) Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field
OR
c) Expect to complete 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field by May 31, 2023
d) Any combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field
e) Expect to have any combination of experience and graduate study in an appropriate field by May 31, 2023
f) You may also qualify at the GS-07 level by meeting or expecting to meet one of these Special Provisions by May 31, 2023:

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.

GS-09: To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must have:
a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the federal sector:

• Using computer modeling and simulation tools or analytical applications to accomplish projects, designs, and/or plans;
• Assisting with implementing test plans and interpreting results to validate performance of communications systems.

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
OR
g) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c), d), and e) above by May 31, 2023

GS-11: To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have:
a) You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal sector:

• Applying engineering concepts, principles, and practices with emphasis in electrical engineering and communication theory including signal processing concepts, time domain/frequency domain representation of signals and systems, antenna concepts, and/or modulation and coding techniques;
• Applying research, design, development and/or testing methods with emphasis in communications technology.

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
OR
g) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), c), d), and e) above by May 31, 2023.

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 undergraduate or graduate education only (GS-7 through GS-11):
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.

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:

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