As a materials research engineer in the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch supporting the Hi-Rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing (HiCAM) Project, you will contribute to the design, synthesis, processing, characterization, and testing of rapid cure resins to develop composite manufacturing approaches that enable production rates four to six times greater than currently possible. You will disseminate technical results orally and in written communication as well as completing milestones.

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee. Design and synthesize materials and perform broad range of polymer synthesis routes and development of polymer processing and product formulation methods, including considerations for surface engineering. Perform fundamental characterization of polymer materials including methods to track polymer synthesis reactions, spectroscopy, rheology, electrical, thermal and mechanical testing of polymeric materials. Perform rapid assessment of polymer synthetic/formulation approaches via design of experiments including experimental validation. Perform data analysis of programming languages using MATLAB, LabView, and Python. Perform design, synthesis, formulation and characterization of rapid curing aerospace resins and stimuli responsive materials including but not limited to shear sensitive polymers. Utilize JMP software (statistical software/machine learning) for optimization of polymer synthesis via design of experiments. Apply a wide range of complex professional theories, concepts, principles, standards, and methods to determine, execute, and explain actions that modify polymer processes to meet technical objectives and requirements. Define problems, performs background research, develops and executes a research plan, organizes and evaluates results, and prepares reports of findings suitable for public dissemination. 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.
• You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement.
• This position may require a one-year probationary period.
• This position requires the incumbent to have successfully completed a Chemical protocol at a clinic.

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. If selected at the lower grade level, your scientific impact will be examined in addition to other factors, to determine if you are eligible for promotion. To qualify for GS-11, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level: Assisting teams involved in designing and synthesizing materials or teams performing polymer synthesis routes and developing polymer processing and product formulation methods for rapid curing aerospace resins, and considerations for surface engineering; Assisting with fundamental characterization of polymer materials, such as methods to track polymer synthesis reactions, spectroscopy, rheology, electrical, thermal, or mechanical testing, or assessing polymer formulation through the design of experiments; Assisting with accelerated design, synthesis routes, or formulation and characterization of rapid curing aerospace resins or stimuli responsive materials, such as shear sensitive polymers. OR b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field OR c) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a) and b) above To qualify for GS-12, you must have: a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level: Supporting teams involved in designing materials and synthetic routes or developing polymer processing and product formulation for aerospace polymers, such as rapid curing aerospace resins or stimuli responsive materials; Supporting the design of test plans or fundamental characterization and assessment of polymer materials, such as methods to track polymer synthesis reactions, spectroscopy, rheology, electrical, thermal, or mechanical testing, or assisting with the design of experiments; Supporting a team project by coordinating the evaluation and presentation of plans, designs, reports, or correspondence concerning projects and product issues. OR b) Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field. 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. Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of graduate education only: Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Ceramics or Ceramics Engineering (with 12 semester hours in refractory ceramics, cermets or protective coatings); Civil Engineering, Computer Science, or Geology (with 12 semester hours in strength of materials, structures, thermodynamics, and/or basic static and dynamics); Metallurgy or Metallurgical Engineering (with 12 semester hours in physical or adaptive metallurgy, high temperature metals and alloys, cermets); Mathematics or Nuclear Engineering (with nine semester hours in physics, structures, materials or other appropriate courses). Other appropriate physical science or engineering fields may qualify with appropriate supplemental courses.

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