The Configuration Aerodynamics Branch position involves aerospace research, study of fluid mechanics, and technology development related to 1) wind tunnel testing, database development, and uncertainty quantification for development of advanced configuration and component concepts for fixed- and rotary-wing and aerospace vehicles from subsonic to low hypersonic speeds; 2) development and application of advanced experimental tools and techniques for use in design and assessment of these concepts.

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 experimental, empirical, and analytical investigations in flow regimes subsonic to low hypersonic speeds. Research includes both unpowered and powered testing. Provides knowledge/oversight of wind tunnel model fabrication. Improves the methodology for experimentally measuring the flow of fluids around aircraft and launch vehicles and their components. Conducts research and studies the physics of the flow of fluids around vehicles and their components, and the calculation and measurement of related forces, moments, and physical processes in support of design, analysis and technology development. Conducts research in problem areas that are highly complex and of considerable scope. Problems are often difficult to define, require novel approaches and sophisticated research techniques. Research is accomplished through the formulation, conduct, analysis, correlation, documentation and dissemination of studies, data modeling, simulations, and wind tunnel experiments. Post-processes, analyzes and interprets measurements from wind tunnel tests; evaluates comparisons of experimental and computational results; and reports the findings at technical conferences and in scientific literature. Research position engaged in professional scientific and engineering work, which is systematic, critical, intensive investigation directed toward discovering, disseminating, and applying new or expanded knowledge in a professional discipline. Conduct research studies which result in publications that answer important questions in the aerospace field, account for previously unexplained phenomena, or result in changes in existing products, processes, or techniques. Foster a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champion NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity, and teamwork.

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

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. 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: Conducting and reporting on research topics related to experimental testing and measurement techniques; Conducting independent research in the aerospace field and serving on team projects utilizing individual expertise to benefit the team and the project; Designing and developing technical approaches and specifications for fluid and flight mechanics projects related to aerospace vehicle research, development, design, and analysis. OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) I expect to complete all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field by March 31, 2024. OR d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above. OR e) I expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and education when I have completed additional graduate study as described in a), b) and c) above by March 31, 2024. To qualify for GS-12, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Providing technical guidance to a team of researchers in the aerospace field with the continuing assessment of the team's progress in relation to the objectives of the experimental research study; Planning and performing research and experimental testing, and applying experimental techniques for modeling and analyzing data; Collaborating with researchers to develop solutions to problems encountered by the research team in data collection, simulation, compilation, and analysis. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field. OR c) I expect to complete all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field by March 31, 2024. To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level: Leading a team of researchers in the aerospace field with the continual assessment of the team's progress in relation to the objectives of the experimental research study; Designing, conducting, and leading research experiments along with utilizing experimental techniques and statistical methods for modeling, analyzing data, and interpreting results; Developing solutions to problems encountered by the research team in data collection, simulation, compilation, and analysis. 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-11/12 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

Applications will be considered from candidates who meet the education qualification requirements by March 31, 2024. All other qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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]