Serves as an Aerospace Engineer, AST, Aerospace Vehicle Design and Mission Analysis in the Launch Services Program within the Flight Dynamics Branch, Flight Analysis Division. You will provide analysis of launch vehicle and spacecraft flight mechanics and trajectory design/optimization in support of NASA's crewed and robotic missions.

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. Perform detailed design, analysis, and optimization of launch vehicle trajectories in support of NASA’s crewed and robotic missions. Develop mission specific trajectory-related requirements and interface with commercial launch service providers to ensure that these requirements are met. Interface with other analysis disciplines and the broader Launch Services Program technical team as required to ensure system-level requirements compliance and mission success. Support the Launch Services Program Engineering Review Board process as a supporting engineer and/or presenter when required. Participate in internal technical peer reviews as both a presenter and reviewer. Pursue opportunities to improve analytical tools, methods, and processes relevant to launch vehicle trajectory design. Continuously grow and improve launch vehicle trajectory design and analysis capabilities within the Flight Dynamics Branch through independent effort and as a mentor to colleagues. 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 probationary 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. To qualify for GS-07, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level Studying or assisting in aerospace-related research pertaining to engineering theories, practices, principles, computational and analytical methods; OR Applying mathematical and statistical techniques to assist with aerospace-related projects or activities. OR b) Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field OR c) Expect to complete 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field by June 30, 2024 OR d) You may also qualify at the GS-07 level by meeting or expecting to meet by June 30, 2024 one of the following Special Provisions: Are in the upper third of your class, based on completed college work at the time of filing an application. Have an average of 2.9 or better on a 4.0 scale for either all completed college work at the time of application, or all college courses completed during the last 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum. Achieved a grade average of B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or better in the major field of study where such field is fully qualifying. This is either the average of all completed college work in the major field of study at the time of application or the average of all college courses completed in the major field of study during the last 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum. Elected to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies (other than freshman honor societies). These honor societies are listed at ACHS. Completed 12 months of student trainee experience that includes at least one work period equivalent to the GS-5, or at least 15 months of appropriate student trainee experience which includes one work period equivalent to the GS-04 level. One work period is 2 months or 320 hours. For engineering positions, successfully completed a 5-year program of study, or at least 160 semester hours, leading to a bachelor's degree. For engineering positions, have a professional engineering degree, and up to 12 months of experience gained as a technician or technologist equivalent to the GS-5 or higher level. Successfully completed all requirements for two bachelor's degrees, one in an appropriate field of science or engineering. Have six months of directly related/specialized experience or training, including 3 months gained after the junior year of college. This experience may have been obtained on a part-time or intermittent basis and may have been paid or unpaid. Received honors or elective positions indicating superior leadership outside of your academic setting. Additionally, your academic standing must have been in the upper half of the graduating class. Have pattern of completing courses that include unusual preparatory value or direct relation to the particular aerospace specialty for which you are being considered. Have creative research aptitude or special talent for NASA scientific or engineering work. This must be shown by evidence obtained and documented by NASA in certifications from college professors or officials, or standardized questionnaires, or similar techniques. OR e) Have an equivalent combination of experience and education as described in a) and b) above OR f) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and education when you have completed additional graduate study in an appropriate field by June 30, 2024 To qualify for GS-09, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level: Assisting a team of engineers involved in the design of atmospheric flight, orbital mechanics, or aerospace vehicle trajectory design or optimization; Gathering data to support senior engineers with aerospace requirements development or mathematical modeling and analysis. OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) Expect to complete 1 full academic year of graduate study in an appropriate field by June 30, 2024 OR d) Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR e) Expect to complete 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field by June 30, 2024 OR f) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), and d) above OR g) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and education when I have completed additional graduate study as described in a), b), and d) above by June 30, 2024 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: Supporting a team of engineers with the design or analysis of atmospheric flight or orbital mechanics with an emphasis in aerospace vehicle trajectory design or optimization; Utilizing engineering theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies to analyze data and applying computational methods to identify results and findings. 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 June 30, 2024 OR d) Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field OR e) Expect to complete 3 full academic years of graduate study in an appropriate field by June 30, 2024 OR f) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b), and d) above OR g) Expect to have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as described in a), b), and d) above by June 30, 2024 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 undergraduate or 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

Applications will be considered from candidates who meet the education qualification requirements by June 30, 2024. All other qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

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; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.

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://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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

Contacts

• Address Kennedy Space Center Space Commerce Way Titusville, FL 32899 US
• Name: NASA Shared Services Contact Center
• Phone: 1-877-677-2123
• Email: [email protected]