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• Duties described below are at the full-performance level. Duties assigned at a lower grade level will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
• Conduct Research and Development in one or more of the following areas supporting rotating machine research to enable carbon-free electrified air transportation:
• Design and conduct experiments to electrically characterize conductor candidates (conventional and superconducting) for motor and generator windings under DC and AC currents and magnetic fields.
• Research and develop gearboxes and/or electric machines (conventional and partially or fully superconducting) for space missions and electrified aircraft propulsion.
• Conceptualize electric machine and/or cryogenic system designs; simulate the multi-physics response of the designs; develop, build, and test coils, subcomponents, and machines.
• Conceptualize, analyze, design and develop lightweight aerospace mechanisms and mechanical components (gears, bearings, and splines) for an electrified powertrain including application of tribology for lubrication, wear and efficiency.
• Analyze data, results and findings and document research in archival publications.
• Monitor and guide NASA-supported academic and industry projects on powertrain technologies and systems.

Conditions of employment

• This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
• Individuals who will have received a qualifying graduate degree by 8/31/2022, in a field of study required for the position will be considered. All other qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
• If selected, your start date will be set after all requirements have been met and verified.
• If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement
• Please see the "Additional Information" section for important information about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal employees.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below and have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.

Vacant research positions may be filled at one of several grade levels depending upon the scientific impact of the person selected. A review may be required to determine the appropriate grade level of the position and supplemental materials may be required from the selectee. Please keep this in mind when indicating the lowest grade that you will accept. If selected at the lower grade level, the scientific impact of the incumbent will be examined in addition to other factors, to determine if the person is eligible for promotion.

To qualify for GS-11, you must have:

a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal sector

• Participating in R&D of electro-mechanical systems (conventional and/or superconducting) with a focus on powertrain/ subcomponent conceptual design, simulation, and development
• Working in a team environment to accomplish program/project goals
• Preparing conventional plans, designs, specifications or related documentation

OR

b) Completed, or will have completed, all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field by 8/31/2022
OR

c) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a) and b) above when qualifying education is completed by 8/31/2022.

To qualify for GS-12, you must have:

a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the federal sector:

• Conducting R&D of electro-mechanical systems (conventional and/or superconducting) with a focus on powertrain/subcomponent conceptual design, simulation, and development including multi-physics characterization, experimentation, and reliability assessment
• Serving as a contributor on team-based projects
• Providing technical advice to accomplish program/project goals
• Organizing and evaluating results of studies and preparing reports of findings

OR

b) Completed, or will have completed, all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field by 8/31/2022.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in the federal sector:

• Conducting R&D of electro-mechanical systems ( conventional and/or superconducting) with a focus on powertrain/subcomponent conceptual design, simulation, and development including multi-physics characterization, experimentation, and reliability assessment
• Investigating, evaluating, advising on, and resolving unusual engineering problems, issues, and conditions
• Organizing and evaluating results of studies and preparing reports of findings
• Monitoring or guiding research conducted by others, e.g., academia, industry

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.

Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of graduate education only (GS-11 and GS-12):

Code 720 Propulsion: Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautics, Chemistry, Applied Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics.

Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Electronics Engineering, Applied Mathematics (or other field), if the major includes or is supplemented by one course in thermodynamics, nuclear physics, rocket propulsion fundamentals, gas dynamics or modem or molecular physics; Astronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Pure Mathematics (or other related field), if includes or is supplemented by nine semester hours (or the equivalent) in physics, thermodynamics, chemistry or closely related fields.

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

You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Electromagnetics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Research
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence
• Written Communication

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.