The Flight Dynamics Branch seeks a skilled individual to conduct experiments and analyze data in order to develop and validate math models of aircraft and atmospheric entry vehicles in support of NASA missions on Earth and throughout the solar system. The Branch is highly experimental in nature, conducting wind tunnel experiments, simulation studies, and flight tests.

Duties

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. Conducts research and analysis of the stability, control and performance characteristics of aerospace flight vehicles; fixed-wing aircraft, and/or atmospheric entry vehicles. Studies and analyzes the aerodynamically induced oscillatory motions of aerospace vehicles (aircraft and atmospheric entry vehicles) and provides analysis of their dynamic stability. Studies and analyzes the linear and nonlinear aerodynamic lift, drag, and associated forces and moments derived from analytic tools, ground tests, or flight tests. Plans and conducts wind tunnel and flight experiments designed to extract aerodynamic stability, control, and performance data for vehicle modeling. Creates aerodynamic models that accurately represent vehicle dynamics and performance characteristics. Develops flight dynamics simulation models and evaluates the flying qualities of aerospace vehicles. Documents research findings through technical reports, publications, journals, and/or presentations.

Requirements

• 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
• Start dates will be set after all requirements have been met and verified
• This position may require a one year trial period

Qualifications

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. Applications will be considered from candidates who meet the education qualification requirements by December 31, 2023. All other qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. 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 you will accept. To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level Participating in development of vehicle aerodynamic models, or conducting experiments or testing (physical or simulated) related to vehicle stability, control, or performance characteristics of an aircraft or atmospheric entry vehicle Utilizing data analysis software (such as Matlab, Simulink, Python, or similar) to perform data collection and analysis Analyzing technical data and communicating through reports, design documents, or presentations OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) Expect to complete all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field by December 31, 2023. OR d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed above OR e) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and education when additional graduate study is completed as described above by December 31, 2023. To qualify for GS-12, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level Contributing to development of vehicle aerodynamic models and conducting experiments and test (physical or simulated) related to vehicle stability, control, or performance characteristics of an aircraft or atmospheric entry vehicle Utilizing testing equipment, data acquisition systems, or data analysis software (such as Matlab, Simulink, Python, or other) to perform a variety of assessments and data collection Analyzing technical data and presenting briefings/presentations and written reports or technical papers regarding technical approaches, challenges, and results. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field. OR c) Expect to complete all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field by December 31, 2023. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. Developing vehicle aerodynamic models, and planning and conducting experiments and tests (physical or simulated) related to vehicle stability, control, or performance characteristics of an aircraft or atmospheric entry vehicle Utilizing testing equipment, data acquisition systems, and data analysis software (such as Matlab, Simulink, Python, or similar) to perform a variety of assessments and data collection Analyzing technical data and presenting briefings/presentations and written reports/technical papers regarding technical approaches, challenges, and results. 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: Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Astrophysics, Electrical Engineering (except power), Electronics Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics. Other appropriate physical or computer science, mathematics or engineering fields are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by at least 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) of appropriate physical science or engineering courses including nine semester hours (or the equivalent) of physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics or gas dynamics.

Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:
a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

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

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Contacts

• Address Langley Research Center 1 NASA Dr Hampton, VA 23666 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]