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Computer Engineer, AST, Software Systems (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John C. Stennis Space Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

You will serve as a Software Engineer in the Office of Technology Development, an organizational element of the Engineering and Test Directorate at NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC), supporting a wide range of advanced aerospace data and software systems.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 03/10/2023
Closed date: 03/14/2023
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$69,996 - $90,992 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Term - Not to exceed 4 years with the option to extend to a maximum of 6 years.
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
SSC-23-DE-11865603-CC
Control number
711533000

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Duties

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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.
  • Design/develop a wide range of advanced aerospace data and software systems that span a broad spectrum of engineering functions.
  • Design and implement software systems to meet specific mission requirements, including applications requiring adaptation of conventional or existing methods, tools and techniques in areas that may be critical or specialized in nature.
  • Support the development of capabilities of significant impact, such as autonomous systems, process automation, embedded systems and machine learning, in areas where there are unknowns.
  • Plan and lead the design, development, modification, implementation, testing and simulation, delivery, and integration of software components and/or systems. Validate and verify that integrated software systems meet requirements and specifications.
  • Work with team members to ensure the development of software systems meets schedule and budget constraints.
  • Monitor compliance with performance specifications, review/evaluates progress, quality and quantity of work.
  • Provide technical insight into cause and action plan when nonconforming software or systems are encountered; analyzes/defines requirements, conducts technical evaluations. Makes recommendations to management.
  • Prepare and present technical reviews and status briefings.

Requirements

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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.
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • This position may require a one-year trial 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 in the federal sector

  • Performing design work, development, testing and evaluation of software applications using agile software development processes;
  • Performing software maintenance and modification using one or more of the following languages: Python, C#,C++,SQL, LISP-family language ,and/or other object oriented languages;
  • Utilizing theories, practices, and/or principles of electrical hardware/software, computer science, or computer engineering supporting robotic, intelligent, or autonomous system development.
OR
b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
OR
c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
OR
d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above

Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of 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."

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

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:

a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related 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/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: 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.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Additional information

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. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

This appointment may be extended beyond the initial appointment date, for a period not to exceed a total of six years.

Current Federal civilian employees may apply for this position. If selected, a break in service of at least 4 calendar days may be required prior to appointment to this position.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:
  • Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
  • Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
  • Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'
For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

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:

  • Software Development
  • Technical Competence
  • Computer Systems and Engineering
  • Software Engineering

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.

John C. Stennis Space Center

Explore the Extraordinary
Calling all the innovators, pioneers, visionaries, and adventurers! We are a diverse group of professionals united by a common purpose: to discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity. We're building on our rich legacy by embarking on new and exciting missions, both on Earth and beyond and we're looking for fresh ideas to help us get there. Do you have a passion for exploration? Do you want your work to leave an enduring impact? Join us in a career that can take you farther than you can imagine. At NASA, our work is more than just a profession-it's a lifelong pursuit, a passion, and a chance to change the world. NASA is more than astronauts. We are scientists, engineers, IT specialists, human resources specialists, accountants, writers, technicians and many other kinds of people working together to break barriers to achieve the seemingly impossible.

Explore the extraordinary, every day; explore a career at NASA!

Agency contact information

NASA Shared Services Contact Center
Phone
1-877-677-2123
Fax
1-866-779-6772
Email
nssc-contactcenter@mail.nasa.gov
Address
Stennis Space Center
Hlass St
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at John C. Stennis Space Center, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.nasa.gov/careers

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