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Electronics Engineer, AST, Optical Engineer

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Greenbelt, Maryland
Closing date
Sep 24, 2019
Duties

Summary

Serves as an Optical Engineer in Code 551, the Optics Branch, is responsible for engineering and applied research and development of optical equipment and/or systems covering the electromagnetic spectrum in the wavelengths from approximately the x-ray to the l-millimeter region and work involving the development, test, evaluation and use of optical techniques for both measurement and space-flight instrumentation. Duties may include monitoring contractors engaged in this work.
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

  • Serves as an optical engineer responsible for the formulation, development, test, modification, implementation, and calibration of challenging optical and opto-electronic measurement and instrumentation systems.
  • Specifically, performs independent lab work and data analysis to characterize ultrastable optical systems applied to high speed interferometry. The efforts will be applied to coronagraph components as well as telescope components.
  • Ensures that optical and opto-electronic equipment meets project objectives and is compatible with flight and data acquisition and processing capabilities.
  • Writes and reviews technical goals and approaches; monitors progress during development and testing. Publishes technical accomplishments in technical journals and makes presentations at optics conferences.
  • Provides advanced technical assistance in the development and integration of assigned optics technologies and systems. Assists in the development of technical and programmatic documentation in support of project activities.
  • Serves as a technical engineering specialist, performing test, checkout, and flight preparation of optical and opto-electronic instrumentation systems or equipment that involve new concepts and varied problems to be solved.
  • Assists the development of equipment specifications, test plans and procedures, and laboratory setups to insure that the instrument meets its scientific and engineering goals.
  • Investigates the application of new optics and detector technology to implement proposed alignment procedures and tests. Performs the assembly, alignment, and full evaluation of optical components and instrumentation.
  • Assures that the optical instruments meet all of the crucial scientific and engineering objectives.
  • Provides technical assistance to instrument teams in the areas of optical assembly, alignment, testing, and metrology.
  • Performs alignment and evaluation of image quality of telescopes and spectrometers, calibrates photo-detectors, star simulators, and other radiometric devices for use in the IR, visible, and UV portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Performs or directs surveys and investigations to establish baseline data necessary to initiate requirements review.
  • Aids in the evaluation of contractor studies and provides technical assistance for the design, development, integration, and evaluation of various systems for an assigned project.
  • Prepares estimates of funding, manpower and equipment requirements based on preliminary design and specification information and in conjunction with other experienced Branch personnel.


Travel Required

Occasional travel - Travel may be required for training or other work-related duties

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Position subject to pre-employment background investigation
  • A one-year probationary period may be required
  • As identical vacancies are identified, additional selections may be made
  • This position can be filled at the GS-09, GS-11 or GS-12 grade level; the full performance level of the position is at the GS-13 grade level. Selectee can be promoted without further competition


Qualifications

Applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, which has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above.

To Qualify for the GS-09:
Have one year of professional, directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service with basic optical engineering laboratory experience in performing optical assembly, alignment, and testing. This includes basic experience in the use of commercially available interferometers such as Zygo, 4-D, or comparable interferometers OR

Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR

Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR

Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed above.

To Qualify for the GS-11:
One year of specialized experience is defined as professional experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service with optical engineering laboratory experience in performing optical assembly, alignment, and testing. This includes experience in the advanced use of commercially available interferometers such as Zygo, 4-D, or comparable interferometers. Experience in assisting in the development of equipment specifications, test plans and procedures, and laboratory setups to insure that it meets its scientific and engineering goals OR

Completion of all requirements for a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field OR

Completion of 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR

Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed above.

To Qualify for the GS-12:
One year of specialized experience is defined as professional experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service with advanced optical engineering laboratory experience in performing optical assembly, alignment, and testing. This includes experience in mastering the use of commercially available interferometers such as Zygo, 4-D, or a comparable interferometers. Experience in the independent development of equipment specifications, test plans and procedures, and laboratory setups to insure that it meets its scientific and engineering goals. Includes knowledge of the optical instrumentation used in at least one of the following space research areas: astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary science, or Earth science. Experience with deformable mirror technology and its application to adaptive optical instrumentation. Experience using phase retrieval analysis techniques.

Education

In order to qualify for this position you must meet Basic Education Requirement

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate or graduate degree with a major in either a)
engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs or b) Physical
Science, Mathematics, Life Science, Computer Science, Other fields of science.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered to be qualifying for this position.

The accreditation, type of degree, and course work taken will determine if the basic education requirements
are met.

The degree must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation. To find out if a school has an ABET accreditation, go to ABET accredited schools (http://www.abet.org)

Applicants must list their majors on their resume.

ABET or Foreign accreditation requirement applies to foreign education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to the education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. If selected, a written evaluation translated in English of any foreign education must be completed and provided to the Human Resources official making the offer. Please indicate in your resume that you have had your foreign education formally evaluated by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will may in your being found unqualified for the position.

Applicants must complete the following fields in USAJOBS Resume Builder, Step 2. Education section in order for education qualifications to be considered for this position:

-College/University Name
-State/Territory/Province/Country
-City/Town
-Degree/Level Attained
-Completion date
-Major
-Minor
-GPA

Additional information

Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. See 'How You Will Be Evaluated' for definition of well qualified. Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP consideration must indicate their eligibility when applying for a position. The USAJOBS resume asks you to identify your ICTAP eligibility; the NASA Supplemental Information asks you to identify your CTAP eligibility. If you are selected for the position, you must be prepared to submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location.

As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. In order to receive preference in hiring, you must clearly identify your claim for veterans preference on your resume.

NASA's Applicant Guide provides the information needed to assist you in determining whether or not you can claim 5 or 10 point veterans preference. You should not submit documents to prove your eligibility for veterans preference at this time. However, you must be prepared to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form) as requested by the Human Resources Office. Veterans preference will only be considered based on what is supported For instance, if you claim 10-point preference, but are only able to document 5-point preference, you will be considered accordingly. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.

Your USAJOBS account asks you to assign a name to each of your resumes. When you apply to a NASA position, we will show you the text of the resume you have submitted, but we do not maintain the name you have assigned to that resume. If you wish to keep track of that information, we recommend you make note of it at the time you apply.

Fair Employment Opportunities for Applicants
NASA Credit for National Service

Identification of promotion potential in this position does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on
the part of management to promote the employee. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and
the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher level duties

Current Federal employees must meet three months after competitive appointment restrictions by the closing date of the announcement

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

NASA uses an automated system (Resumix) that matches the competencies extracted from your resume to the competencies identified by the selecting official for the position. Based on the competencies you match, you are placed in one of three categories identified as 90, 80, or 70 pt. quality categories, which are defined as:

90 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and has experience in the same or similar job that has demonstrated superior proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.

80 pt. Category - Tentatively meets (until subsequent confirmation upon referral) the basic qualification requirements identified in the vacancy announcement and demonstrates satisfactory proficiency in the primary requirements of the position.

70 pt. Category - Fails to meet criteria described in the 80 pt. category.

Additional application guidance is available in NASA's Applicant Guide .

Information for Veterans : The Category Rating Process protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet qualification requirements and have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed at the top of the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level or higher.

For the purpose of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), candidates rated in the top quality category are considered well-qualified.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

NASA's application process has been specifically developed to ensure that we only ask you for the information we absolutely need to evaluate your qualifications and eligibility. In order to apply for this position, you only need to submit your resume and answer the screening questions and supplemental information. No additional documentation is accepted at the time of application. (For example you need not submit narrative 'KSA' statements; they are not required and will not be evaluated.) In this way we allow you to focus on preparing a resume that best describes your background and abilities. For assistance in preparing your resume, consult the Applicant Guide . Nothing further is required until requested by the Human Resources Office. At that point, we may ask you to submit documentation to support statements made in your resume. For example, we may ask you to provide academic transcripts or proof of Federal employment status. If you are claiming veterans' preference, we may ask you to submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form). If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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.

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