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Mechanical Engineer

General Services Administration
Public Buildings Service

Summary

As a Mechanical Engineer, you will provide advanced professional mechanical engineering expertise in support of nationally managed design and construction programs and initiatives.

The Office of Engineering provides centralized national engineering expertise and technical oversight in support of PBS design, construction, repair, alteration, modernization, and building performance programs.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

Overview

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Open & closing dates
05/13/2026 to 05/27/2026
Salary
$108,173 - $172,980 per year

If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.

Pay scale & grade
GS 13
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
San Francisco, CA
Lakewood, CO
District of Columbia, DC
Atlanta, GA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—This position is full-time in the office. In rare instances, situational telework may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Travel Required
25% or less - Some travel may be required to conduct construction site visits.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
13
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
PA-2026-0003
Control number
868875600

Duties

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  • Serves as project engineer or designated technical lead for complex design, construction, renovation, or alteration projects involving advanced mechanical systems.
  • Reviews mechanical engineering design documents at multiple project phases to ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and agency technical criteria.
  • Analyzes system performance calculations, load analyses, equipment selections, and energy modeling documentation.
  • Provides authoritative consultation to project managers, engineers, architects, and facility managers regarding mechanical system design, repair, alteration, and modernization.
  • Performs field investigations and site assessments for complex projects where significant mechanical system deficiencies, failures, or performance concerns have developed or are anticipated.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
  • Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
  • Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
  • Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non­Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
  • Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
  • Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
  • Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee.  We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.
  • Site visits may require walking, bending, climbing stairs or ladders, and use of personal protective equipment.

Qualifications

For each job on your resume, provide:

  • the exact dates you held  each job (from month/year to month/year)
  • number of hours per week you worked (if part time).    

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

The GS-13 salary range starts at $108,173per year.  If you are a new federal employee, your starting salary will likely be set at the Step 1 of the grade for which you are selected.  

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level or higher in the Federal service.

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcript(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcements to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ENGINEERS: A Degree in professional engineering OR a combination of college-level education, training, and/or technical experience. For specifics on qualifying education and/or experience - use the following link: Basic Requirements for Engineer Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 in the Federal service. Specialized experience includes preparing and/or reviewing designs for complex mechanical systems in large buildings and campuses. Designs should include both new construction and renovation, encompass many different kinds of HVAC systems serving a diverse array of building occupants and ensure all code, energy, and legal requirements are met.

Education

Note: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:   https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ 

Additional information

Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

Applicants are encouraged to make their resume searchable in their USAJOBS.gov profile. This will allow Federal hiring specialists and hiring managers across agencies to find their resume as part of agency recruitment campaigns or staffing searches.

If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency or visit GSA's webpage.

Relocation-related expenses are not approved and will be your responsibility.

On a case-by-case basis, the following incentives may be approved:

·       Recruitment incentive if you are new to the federal government

·       Relocation incentive if you are a current federal employee

·       Credit toward vacation leave if you are new to the federal government

This vacancy may be filled in any of the following locations:

Washington, DC
Kansas City, MO
Fort Worth, TX
Lakewood, CO
Tacoma, WA
Raleigh, NC
New York, NY
Boston, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Atlanta, GA
Chicago, IL
San Francisco, CA

Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

We are also accepting applications from all U.S. Citizens and Nationals under Vacancy Announcement # PA-2026-0004.  You must apply separately to each announcement to be considered for both.

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.

A panel of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) will review the resumes of qualified candidates and assign a score for each of the five required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) based on the experience documented in the resume and narrative responses.

  1. Advanced professional knowledge of mechanical engineering principles and practices sufficient to serve as a senior technical authority for complex design and construction initiatives.
  2. Skill in interpreting and applying national engineering standards, codes, sustainability requirements, and procurement procedures.
  3. Knowledge of building automation systems, plumbing systems, advanced HVAC technologies, and commissioning processes.
  4. Knowledge of integrated building systems and cross-disciplinary coordination to ensure cohesive mechanical, electrical, architectural, and control system performance.
  5. Ability to investigate, advise and resolve unusual and controversial problems related to the interface and integration requirement for a broad range of existing and new building mechanical control systems and equipment.

Demonstration of these KSAs must be supported by your resume. Applicants should also make note of each KSA, as you will be asked to address them later in the application process.

Consideration will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3). You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume so that information will be taken into consideration during the selection process.  If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

If you are eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) or GSA’s Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), your resume must clearly demonstrate experience in at least 3 of the 5 required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) to receive priority consideration.


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Public Buildings Service

Agency contact information

CRCE Vacancy Inquiries
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
crcevacancyinquiries@gsa.gov
Address
GSA, Public Buildings Service
Servicing HR Office:
GSA, Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM)
1800 F Street, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20405
United States

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Public Buildings Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.gsa.gov/about-us

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