You will serve as the Acting Assistant Branch Head for the Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch. This position is responsible for supervision and technical management of branch members, as well as performing research consistent with the branch portfolio. You will be responsible for policies, procedures, resources, procurement, funding, and facility requirements for the branch.

Duties

Supports the Branch Head in supervising researchers of the Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch. Provides technical reviews of written documents and presentations by researchers in the Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch. Develops strategic plans in coordination with Branch leadership. Contributes to the Structures and Materials leadership team to define funding opportunities and evaluate ongoing research activities. Performs independent research consistent with Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch portfolio in support of NASA projects. Develops and directs structural analyses and/or tests conducted on advanced aerospace hardware systems for the purposes of ensuring the structural performance needed to meet program requirements and assessing structural integrity for flight safety. Exercises recognized technical leadership in the analysis of structural systems, demonstrating outstanding creativity and exceptional scientific and engineering judgement to prove or disprove the feasibility of structural concepts. Serves as a recognized engineering expert and technical advisor to management, other centers, and the aerospace industry in the area of structural analysis and evaluation of advanced structural systems for aerospace vehicles. Performs a full range of supervisory duties which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees. Fosters a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence and innovation. Champions NASA's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to create an environment that promotes a commitment to safety, integrity and teamwork.

Requirements

• Current Federal employees must meet qualifications, time in grade, and 90 days after competitive appointment requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
• A one-year supervisory probationary period may be required.
• If the individual selected is currently at the GS-15 grade level, they will be detailed at their current grade and step. If the individual is a current GS-14, they will be temporarily promoted to the GS-15 level.

Qualifications

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below and have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, which has equipped you with the particular competencies needed to successfully perform the duties of the position described above. 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 are evaluated based 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. To qualify at the GS-15 level, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Performing research in one of three major topic areas: Structural Mechanics, Thermal Structures, or Structural Concepts for In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM); Planning and developing test procedures to assess structural characteristics of aerospace components; and Leading research teams to develop project plans or proposals for structural and mechanical technology development; including design, testing, analysis, and/or manufacturing tasks. 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.

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]