Job description
Positions advertised are in various organizations at Ames Research Center. NASA may fill positions in any of the following series and at any grade level listed in this announcement (GS-0801 and 0861 series, at the GS-11/12/13/14/15 levels).
In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. 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. NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement. To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Applying fundamental engineering principles to support projects, tests, or system evaluations; Assisting In preparing engineering documentation, test plans, or technical reports. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Planning and performing engineering tasks such as design evaluations, system analyses, or test planning and execution with limited oversight; Contributing to engineering, construction, project, or test design reviews, risk assessments, or technical decision-making. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Providing technical expertise to cross-functional teams on design, integration, or testing; Supporting facility operations, advanced research, or system troubleshooting requiring broad experience. To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Serving as a senior technical authority overseeing high complexity engineering efforts; Leading development of engineering policy, novel test or diagnostics designs, long-term strategies, or modernization initiatives; Leading cross-functional teams on design, integration, or testing. To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Serving as engineering authority, providing strategic technical leadership; Leading or overseeing major programs, modernization efforts, or new capability development; Establishing engineering policies, standards, or technical direction. 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. In determining the NASA AST specific position title to which you are appointed, you may be required to have one of the following majors (this list is not inclusive): Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgy, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Ceramic Engineering, Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science*, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mathematics (Pure or Applied) (or other related field), if it includes or is supplemented by nine semester hours (or the equivalent) in machine design, mechanics, hydraulics, dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanical design or mechanical measurement. Promotion Potential The full performance level (FPL) will vary based on the position in which the selectee is placed and does not default to the highest grade advertised.
In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. 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. NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement. To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Applying fundamental engineering principles to support projects, tests, or system evaluations; Assisting In preparing engineering documentation, test plans, or technical reports. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR c) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Planning and performing engineering tasks such as design evaluations, system analyses, or test planning and execution with limited oversight; Contributing to engineering, construction, project, or test design reviews, risk assessments, or technical decision-making. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Providing technical expertise to cross-functional teams on design, integration, or testing; Supporting facility operations, advanced research, or system troubleshooting requiring broad experience. To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Serving as a senior technical authority overseeing high complexity engineering efforts; Leading development of engineering policy, novel test or diagnostics designs, long-term strategies, or modernization initiatives; Leading cross-functional teams on design, integration, or testing. To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Serving as engineering authority, providing strategic technical leadership; Leading or overseeing major programs, modernization efforts, or new capability development; Establishing engineering policies, standards, or technical direction. 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. In determining the NASA AST specific position title to which you are appointed, you may be required to have one of the following majors (this list is not inclusive): Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgy, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Ceramic Engineering, Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science*, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mathematics (Pure or Applied) (or other related field), if it includes or is supplemented by nine semester hours (or the equivalent) in machine design, mechanics, hydraulics, dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanical design or mechanical measurement. Promotion Potential The full performance level (FPL) will vary based on the position in which the selectee is placed and does not default to the highest grade advertised.