The purpose of the position is to provide expert mechanical design detail support to the development of instrumentation for both space-borne and ground based astrophysical data collection and scientific experiments.
Summary
The purpose of the position is to provide expert mechanical design detail support to the development of instrumentation for both space-borne and ground based astrophysical data collection and scientific experiments.
This position requires access to export-controlled work. The candidate must be a U.S. person (citizen, permanent resident, approved asylee or refugee) or be a national of a country eligible to be approved on an export license who is eligible to work in the US.
1. Provides technical expertise in the design of and drawings for mechanical, electromechanical, optical and electrical components and assemblies for unique and/or experimental state of the art science instruments. This would include the preparation of original layouts, computations, and engineering documentation for varied design features of mechanical and opto-mechanical assemblies, sub-assemblies and component parts of scientific instruments. The incumbent will have independent responsibility for planning and executing work that may be either a complete unit, or portion of an assembly requiring integration into the designs of engineers or other designers on the assigned project. Assignments involve projects having both conventional and innovative aspects.
2. Translates concepts provided by engineers and/or project scientists into functional designs resulting in associated layout and detail drawings. Conceptual inputs will be in the form of rough sketches, design studies, verbal descriptions, and computer generated models. Selects effective methods and procedures, adapts available designs and/or develops new designs according to the requirements of each assignment.
3. Interprets and employs conventional engineering principles, practices, guidelines, and precedents as well as NASA program requirements (where applicable) in considering design requirements including contamination, structural integrity, corrosion resistance, orbital and ground environments, coefficients of thermal expansion, machinability, weldability, formability, etc. as applicable to the design of scientific equipment and components.
4. Performs calculations, studies, and analyses to support designs, such as geometric and dimensional tolerance studies, trigonometric calculations associated with optical layouts, mass property calculations, stress analyses, and deformation analyses.
5. Evaluates candidate designs and considers additional modifications that may be necessary or desirable to improve efficiency. May also be required to modify existing designs or components to accomplish specific functions different from those for which they were originally designed.
7. Supports engineering design reviews and technical meetings. Makes substantive contributions to "make-buy" decisions for instrument associated components and assemblies; and to decisions regarding design, fabrication, and assembly techniques.
8. Interacts independently with the SAO Model Shop, outside machine shops, and vendors to acquire fabrication/cost and delivery estimates and follow progress on the machining of parts shipment of components.
9. Prepares and/or oversees the preparation of all required layout, assembly, and detail drawings within the guidelines of the C. E. Engineering Documentation Release/Control Plan (EDRC) and associated procedures and the specific requirements of assigned projects.
10. Develops conceptual and final designs for laboratory and test equipment needed to support various research programs. Designs will be based upon specifications provided by engineers and/or scientists.
11. Maintains, and updates as required, a complete electronic database of all CAD model and drawing files. Ensures that all engineering documentation is accurate and current in the project’s electronic Configuration Control database. Maintains a database of standard or common hardware and components.
New employees are subject to background checks, including fingerprinting.
Relocation expenses will not be paid.
A recruitment bonus may be paid.
New employees are subject to a one-year probationary period.
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Qualifications
Individual Occupational Requirements:
This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials.
Basic Requirements:
One (1) full year of specialized experience which equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this Engineering Technician position. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as: Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes. Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.
Or
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying.
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.
Please check our benefits link at https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/trust/table.html
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.
The online questionnaire will evaluate your experience, education, and/or training that address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) below:
♦ Comprehensive, intensive, practical knowledge of the principles, practices, requirements and work techniques of mechanical engineering; and the ability to apply these principles and practices to the design of mechanical aspects of unique scientific instrumentation to include advising on and resolving difficult and/or recurring issues.
♦ The ability to apply standardized rules or operations of mechanical engineering to the interpretation of drawings, plans, and specifications in order to make informed decisions on problems and issues; identify and correct deficiencies; recommend improved designs or manufacturing procedures; modify existing parts, instruments and/or equipment in order to adapt them to new functions; and prepare precise documentation. The ability to employ a variety of models to portray unusual or complex designs.
♦ Specialized knowledge of other technical areas such as optics, high vacuum, thermal controls, electronics, precision mechanisms, materials, materials science, fabrication processes and materials, and welding shop practices.
♦ Experience with standard engineering workstation operating systems, and expert knowledge of SolidWorks software.
♦ Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a diverse project team consisting of engineers, scientists, other designers, and detail drafters and the ability to support multiple hardware design projects simultaneously
♦ Knowledge of and the ability to use technical mathematics to analyze and resolve complex design challenges.
♦ Mastery of drafting practices including a familiarity with drafting standard ANSIY14.5.
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.
Please check our benefits link at https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/trust/table.html
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.
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.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process;
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
You will receive an automated email acknowledgement that your application has been received. You may check your status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS." Alternatively, you may contact the Human Resources Specialist identified on the last page.
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.
Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page.
Please Note:
You must apply for this position online through the 'Apply Online' button and submit required supplemental documents (if they are relevant to you).
You may submit required documents by uploading them online during the application process;
The complete application package, including any required documents, is due in the Smithsonian Office of Human Resources on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
You will receive an automated email acknowledgement that your application has been received. You may check your status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS." Alternatively, you may contact the Human Resources Specialist identified on the last page.
