Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results
 

Engineering Technician (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Armstrong Flight Research Center

Summary

The Maintenance Division, Aircraft Maintenance Branch at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center is seeking a highly skilled Engineering Technician to support the Engine Shop in maintaining and repairing jet engines. The role involves performing troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, testing, and evaluation of complex aircraft systems, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of advanced flight vehicles.

Overview

Help
Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/13/2026 to 02/18/2026
Salary
$87,061 to - $113,185 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Armstrong Flight Research Ctr
Edwards AFB, CA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Secret
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
AFRC-26-DE-12885893-JC
Control number
857576200

Videos

Duties

Help
  • Perform advanced inspections and repairs on compressors, turbines, gearboxes, fuel systems, and accessory components, including coordinating or validating Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) results.
  • Diagnose complex mechanical and operational deficiencies using schematics, fault isolation guides, precision measurements, and performance data.
  • Disassemble, inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and reassemble jet engines and major modules in accordance with technical orders, manufacturer manuals, and depot-level procedures.
  • Set up, operate, and interpret results from engine test cells or functional test equipment to verify airworthiness and mission readiness.
  • Ensure strict compliance with safety, quality assurance, and regulatory standards, including documentation in maintenance tracking systems and adherence to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/Department of Defense (DoD) requirements.
  • Review, interpret, and apply Technical Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs), Maintenance Directives (MDs), Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and technical updates, ensuring required actions are incorporated into maintenance processes.
  • Recommend corrective actions and process improvements based on recurring defects, engineering changes, and reliability trends.
  • Accurately document maintenance actions, inspections, parts usage, and corrective actions in NASA Aircraft Management Information System (NAMIS), ensuring complete, timely, and regulatory-compliant maintenance records.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
  • This position may require a one-year probationary/trial period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
  • You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background security investigation.
  • If selected, you will be required to obtain and maintain License and/or Certification: Airframe and Powerplant Licenses within 24 months.

Qualifications

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.

To qualify for GS-11, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal service:

  • Performing depot-level maintenance on jet engines and major modules;
  • Investigating, diagnosing, and assisting with correcting complex engine malfunctions affecting airworthiness through the use of established procedures and guidelines, such as using schematics, fault isolation procedures, precision measurement tools, and performance data;
AND
  • Inspecting and repairing jet engine components such as compressors, turbines, fuel systems, or accessories, including the review and validation of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) results ensuring components meet tight tolerances.
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.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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.
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.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary/Trial Period

You may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;

  • the needs and interests of the agency;

  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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 assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration.

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Mechanics
  • Technical Competence
  • Mechanical Systems

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.

NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.