Clarification from the agency

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. First consideration may be made 14 days from the opening date of this vacancy.

1. Designs and develops mechanical aspects of cutting edge scientific instruments for ground based astronomical/astrophysical data collection or laboratory experiments that will include highly complex, precise, large-scale assemblies with multiple components, their support structures, and associated mechanisms and test equipment. Carries designs from initial concept through fabrication, integration, test, debugging, and final assembly to instrument delivery, working cooperatively with engineers from other disciplines such as electrical, structural, and software. Assignments will include the development of precision mechanisms and mechanical packaging for large wide-field optical instruments.

2. Serves as the project Mechanical Group Leader. Organizes and oversees mechanical aspects of assigned hardware from conception through fabrication, assembly, test, and integration. Maintains a technical overview of the task in process and is responsible for the design and test integrity of the resulting hardware. Prepares labor and materials cost estimates, schedules, plans, and technical status reports. Coordinates the work of other engineers, designers, and technicians assigned to detail design and integration activities; and maintains associated engineering budgets and schedules.

3. Conducts engineering analyses, including trade-off analyses, in support of the development of the mechanical aspects of assigned instrumentation to achieve the best compromise between cost, schedule, and performance.

4. Investigates, selects, justifies, and procures critical mechanical, servo-mechanical, and electro-optical components required for instrument development. Conducts vendor surveys and prepares procurement specifications for selected components. Both independently and in cooperation with SAO Product and/or Quality Assurance, reviews hardware and components received to assure compliance with specifications and monitors subsequent assembly and/or installation.

5. Extensively documents work in technical memoranda, reports, test plans, and procedures. Maintains cognizance of, and observes, all CE/SAO Configuration Management policies and procedures that are applicable to the assigned project. Makes both oral and written presentations to CfA scientific and technical personnel, and the staff of cooperating and contracting agencies and organizations. Participates in project design reviews.

6. Provides technical direction to, and both technical and schedule coordination with, other project team members such as machinists, technicians, other ME’s, and engineers in other disciplines; and with technical vendors and/or sub-contractors.

7. Directs mechanical fabrication, assembly, and test activities, both in SAO laboratories and at telescope sites.

8. Performs other related duties as assigned and travels as required to support project activities.

Conditions of employment

• May be required to serve a one-year probationary period.
• Pre- and post-appointment background investigation.
• Must participate in Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds for salary payment.

Basic qualification requirements can be found at
https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-IV/A/GS-PROF.asp and
https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-IV/B/GS0800/0800.htm.
Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days after the closing date of announcement.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess one year of specialized experience at least equivalent to the grade 12 level. Specialized experience includes experience working to conceive, plan and conduct a wide range of technical investigations in areas relating to the structural systems of space-borne and ground based state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid work on the same basis as for paid experience. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. To receive credit for such experience you must indicate clearly the nature of the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the
average number of hours per week spent in such employment.

This position has a mandatory education requirement; you must furnish a copy of your transcript of college work completed (unofficial copy is acceptable) or a copy of your degree certificate. Non-submission will  result in you being rated ineligible for the position.

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: Qualified candidates will be rated based upon the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Mastery of the advanced concepts, principles, and practices of mechanical engineering that enable the incumbent to provide technical expertise and consultation in such specialized areas as hardware and mechanical systems design; mechanical engineering analysis; technical documentation; and fabrication, test, and integration activities associated with the development of advanced scientific instrumentation.

• Expert knowledge of motion control systems including motors, translation stages, actuators, ball screws, rails, etc.; and automation design such as robotics, industrial automation, or custom machinery.

• Ability to apply and incorporate new technology into design problems that may not be readily tractable by established methods.

• Expert knowledge of state-of-the-art computer aided design and analysis tools.

• Ability to communicate technical information effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Demonstrable project leadership skills including the ability to define the scope of engineering tasks accurately, to generate realistic budgets and schedules, and to provide effective technical direction to members of a diverse engineering and scientific team.