This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/598474700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This is the position of General Engineer (Systems Engineer) of Central Engineering Division. The incumbent provide systems engineering support for the next generation Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). The EHT links radio dishes around the world to create a virtual, Earth-sized telescope with the highest resolving power possible from the surface of our planet.
04/15/2021 to 07/09/2021
$102,601 - $157,614 per year
IS 13 - 14
1 vacancy in the following location:
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - Occasional travel to support project activities.
No
Permanent - Indefinite Trust Appointment. This is NOT a Federal position.
Full-time - Full Time
Competitive
14 - Promotion will be subject to PRCE review.
No
No
21-01
598474700
Open to all qualified candidates. First selection may be made 14 days after the position is announced.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: The Engineer will play a key role in the overall next generation EHT engineering team, participating in all phases of the systems development lifecycle, including concept of operations, requirements, system architecture modeling, system design, risk management, integration, testing, and implementation planning. The incumbent will lead several systems engineering efforts in close collaboration with and at the direction of the Project Engineer. The Engineer will be involved in every high-level system trade study to define this transformational array and will be asked to lead the development of many pivotal documents, analyses, and models that will directly shape the array’s system architecture. The incumbent will work with an international team that includes engineers, theoreticians, software developers, astronomers, and imaging algorithm experts, all united by a common science vision. This position will require that the incumbent possesses the ability to learn quickly, see the big picture, and carry out multiple complex activities simultaneously.
DUTIES For grades 13:
In addition to the above, duties for grade 14:
1. Provides engineering leadership for the system design of the next generation Event Horizon Telescope, from conceptual design through prototype demonstration and detailed system architecture. Assists and coordinates development of technical specifications for all next generation EHT subsystems. Assists and coordinates engineering design and analysis (drawing from mechanical, optical, systems, microwave, electronic or signal processing disciplines), as well as proposal preparation and formal documentation.
2. Establishes the development of system-level concept of operations and performs functional analysis and decomposition to trace science objectives to system and subsystem requirements.
3. Prepares engineering input to project proposals, cost estimates, cost models, schedules, technical plans, procedures, and reports.
4. Oversees design, fabrication, and assembly of scientific instruments and their associated support equipment, and integration of instrument systems. Ensures software design is compatible with instrument hardware. Participates in design reviews.
5. Makes oral and written presentations to project scientists and technical representatives of cooperating and/or contracting organizations. Contributes to papers and technical articles as required. Represents SAO on technical task forces.
6. Performs other related duties as required.
Qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the job opportunity announcement closing date.
For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on the
web at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications.
In addition to meeting basic qualification requirements, candidates for grade 13 must possess at least one year of professional experience in a field appropriate to the specialization for which applying, that was comparable in level of responsibility and difficulty to that of the GS-12 level. Specialized experience at the grade 12 typically involves serving as contributing systems engineer on a project of significant scope.
In addition to meeting basic qualification requirements, candidates for grade 14 must possess at least one year of professional experience in a filed appropriate to the specialization for which applying, that was comparable in level of responsibility and difficulty to that of the GS-13 level. Specialized experience at the grade 13 typically involves serving as lead systems engineer on a project of significant scope.
All applicants must meet these Basic Requirements:
Basic Requirements for Engineer (You must submit a copy of your transcripts)
[A] a degree in professional engineering. Curriculum must (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR
[B] combination of education and experience - college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by ONE of the following: professional registration; written test (successfully passed the Engineer-In-Training (EIT) examination or the written test required for professional registration); specified academic courses (successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering); OR related curriculum (successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field).
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
For more information on the trust benefits, visit: https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/trust/table.html
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated first for the qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:
For Grades 13:
For grade 14:
1. Mastery of engineering principles and practices which enables the incumbent to provide expert technical advice to EHT scientists, engineers on the concept of design, and fabrication of complex, state of the art, astronomical and astrophysical instrumentation.
2. Expert technical ability in two or more engineering disciplines, including mechanical, optical, microwave, electronic, signal processing or software engineering which enables the incumbent to provide technical advice to EHT scientists and engineers on the design and fabrication of complex, state-of-the-art instrumentation.
3. Expert working knowledge of systems engineering principles and processes, and ability to plan, schedule, oversee, and direct effectively the work of other engineering, scientific and technical staff in a timely manner in complex projects of international scope.
4. Ability to provide technical direction in design, fabrication, assembly, and test to members of a diverse engineering and scientific team in a large internationally dispersed organization.
5. Ability to communicate technical and project planning information effectively, both orally and in writing.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
For more information on the trust benefits, visit: https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/hr/benefits/trust/table.html
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Your application package should include the
following documents:
Detailed resume or CV and bibliography.
College Transcripts.
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button below.
Please Note:
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters.
The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS, or by contacting the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Your application package should include the
following documents:
Detailed resume or CV and bibliography.
College Transcripts.
Proof of U.S. accreditation for foreign study, if applicable
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Click on the "Apply Online" button below.
Please Note:
You will receive an e-mail to acknowledge that your application has been received. Please be aware that the confirmation e-mail could reside in your "junk" or "bulk" mail folder depending on your filters.
The Smithsonian receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. We will send you an e-mail to update you as we go through phases of the application review process. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS, or by contacting the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/598474700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is one of the largest and most diverse astrophysical institutions in the world, where the staff carry out broad programs of research in astronomy, astrophysics and earth and space sciences.