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Engineering Technician (Direct Hire)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John F. Kennedy Space Center

Summary

Serves in a prototype and development environment supporting the fabrication, assembly, testing, and refinement of ground support equipment and spaceflight hardware. Performs multi-discipline fabrication, including computer numerical control machining, welding, sheet-metal fabrication, fluid-system fabrication, or electrical assembly, to develop hardware that supports NASA's Moon-to-Mars mission.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
03/30/2026 to 04/10/2026
Salary
$68,475 - $117,227 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 10 - 12
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Kennedy Space Center, FL
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
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
KSC-26-DE-12924401-KVF
Control number
862982600

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Duties

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  • Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
  • Independently plans, fabricates, and integrates complex prototype hardware using computer numerically controlled machining, welding, sheet-metal, fluid-system, or electrical techniques.
  • Develops original fabrication approaches, resolves complex manufacturing issues, and provides expert guidance to engineers on manufacturability and design impacts.
  • Uses advanced computer aided design tools to support prototype development and ensure fabrication accuracy.
  • Leads multi-discipline troubleshooting and implements improvements to fabrication processes and test setups.
  • Conducts advanced testing, fit-checks, and validation of prototype hardware with minimal supervision.
  • Coordinates fabrication activities across multiple disciplines to meet project technical and schedule needs.

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.
  • This position may require a one-year probationary 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 investigation.
  • Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.

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-10, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service:
  • Performing basic machining, welding, sheet-metal, fluid-system, or electrical fabrication tasks under close supervision.
  • Using standard precision measurement tools to verify part dimensions while performing fabrication tasks.
  • Following engineering drawings, computer aided design models, or work instructions to fabricate or assemble basic hardware components.
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 computer numerically controlled machining, welding, sheet-metal, fluid-system, or electrical fabrication under normal supervision.
  • Inspecting parts using measurement tools and making routine adjustments during fabrication to maintain drawing or model tolerances.
  • Reviewing computer aided design drawings or models to determine fabrication steps or tooling for moderately complex parts or assemblies.
To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service:
  • Programming and operating computer numerically controlled machining equipment, welding, sheet-metal, fluid-system, or electrical fabrication with minimal supervision.
  • Inspecting complex parts and assemblies using precision measurement tools and adjusting fabrication processes to meet tight tolerances.
  • Evaluating prototype hardware and collaborating with engineers to determine appropriate fabrication methods, tooling, or integration approaches.
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.

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 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:

  • Customer Service
  • Engineering and Science Support
  • Mechanics
  • Test 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.

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.

John F. Kennedy Space Center

Explore the Extraordinary
Calling all the innovators, pioneers, visionaries, and adventurers! We are 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
Kennedy Space Center
Space Commerce Way
Titusville, FL 32899
US

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