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Computer Scientist

Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Policy & Performance, Safety Analysis Group, Safety Support Tools Team, AJI-3340

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Computer Scientist within the Safety Support Tools Team, AJl-3340.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 08/10/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 10, 2026
Location
Few vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—Situational telework may be permitted in accordance with agency policy.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$103,604 - $160,571 per year

The salary listed above includes a 33.94% locality payment for the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Pay scale & grade
FV I
Promotion potential
NA
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis. The travel may be for training or other work-related duties.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Announcement number
AWA-AJI-26-6058TY-99778
Control number
878451500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to permanent FAA employees only.

Duties

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The Computer Scientist performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. The incumbent is responsible for the design, development, and integration of NAS software. Responsible for testing and evaluating software, identifying areas for modification, and developing the modifications.

As a contributing specialist on large work activities, he/she designs, develops, conducts, and assists in guiding complex independent and interdependent software engineering and related studies to evaluate system effectiveness. Analyzes progression of processes and impact on current and future systems. Maintains current software and identifies software program requirements and demands for modified objectives, procedures, techniques, equipment, and evaluates timeliness of needed modifications. Identifies software requirements effecting transfer of technology.

Applies experience and advanced knowledge in the theoretical foundations of computer science for the development of problem oriented and nonprocedural languages and their translating/operating systems, construction of input-output buffering schemes, and design of automatic scheduling and monitoring methods to increase scope and effectiveness of computer applications. Possesses knowledge of program languages, such as Oracle, JavaScript, and Hypertext Processor (PHP). Uses computer software concepts (such as, data representation, data structures, file systems, computer languages, software methodologies, network protocol, mathematical analysis, statistics and probability) to develop software source code to fix or enhance functionality of a system.

Knowledge of the principles, methods and tools for analyzing and developing test plans and procedures, including identifying operational issues. Conducts root cause analysis of issues, review new and existing code and recommend solutions to system problems.  Defines system performance requirements in clear and effective software functional specifications. He/she defines, plans, and organizes assigned resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish small work-activities within established schedules. He/she performs operational support through software development, software modification and technical assistance for restoration.

Contacts are internal and external. May act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents and may communicate the overall results of a project or work activity to FAA management, the aviation and aerospace industries, and other external parties.

Provides recommendations to improve work processes. Uses established policies/procedures as guidance for most assignments. Resolves all, but unique, technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced technical specialist. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Often develops and recommends techniques to address problem situations. Provides guidance to lower-level technical staff on how to solve difficult technical issues. 

Work is reviewed periodically, typically at major milestones and at completion, for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents).
  • This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.
  • Some, all, or none of the applicants may be interviewed.

Qualifications

Candidates must have one year (52 weeks) of SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (FV-H or FG/GS-11) that is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position successfully. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE is defined as:

  • Experience developing software source code to fix or enhance functionality of a system.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE. You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process. Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

*Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position. *

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA.

 **All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. **

Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and/or selective placement factor(s) (SPF) may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and/or Quality Ranking Factor (QRF) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: (1) score order; (2) category grouping; or (3) alphabetical, and referred to the selecting official for selection consideration.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

·     If you are a current or former Federal employee and you currently hold or previously held a position classified in the 1500 occupational series, you are not required to submit a college transcript, provided you upload a copy of the SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, verifying your classification in the 1500 occupational series.  

·     Applicants who are not currently in the 1500 occupational series in the Federal Government and fail to provide a copy of an unofficial or official transcript will not receive further consideration for this vacancy. Upon selection, if not currently employed in the 1500 occupational series, you will be required to submit an official transcript prior to appointment. If you do not have an official transcript (original, with the raised seal), you should contact your school immediately to request it.  

FoForeign Education: For additional information, visit:

hthhttp://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Preview job questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions.
Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.

The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements

NOTES:

1)  As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA.

In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA section, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a human resource specialist as appropriate.

2) This Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) position requires favorable adjudication of a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) background investigation prior to appointment, unless a waiver is obtained.

3) This position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm 

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

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.



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning. Exciting new opportunities are emerging in aviation and aerospace. Significant investments are advancing the research and development of autonomous vehicles, environmentally friendly electric aircraft, high-speed and long-endurance solar-powered aircraft, and new types of space vehicles. Success with these new technologies and vehicle types will introduce new ways to transport people and goods expanding aviation's footprint in transportation. People are our strength. We are a diverse workforce of over 44,000 located nationwide and spanning over 120 occupations to include air traffic control specialists, aviation safety inspectors, engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals. Join us in our mission to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

Agency contact information

Tiwanda Yarborough
Phone
1 (202) 267-4609
Fax
1 (202) 267-8330
Email
tiwanda.yarborough@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
HQ Employment Services Branch
800 Independence Ave, SW, Room 523
AHF-110
Washington, DC 20591
US

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