As an AST, Fluid Systems Test Engineer in the Exploration Payloads Branch of the Laboratories, Development & Testing Division, you will serve as the lead for in-space servicing and refueling of satellites, spacecraft, and lunar/deep space surface systems. This includes research and development for spaceflight missions, technology demonstration, and concept development with the goal of advancing NASA and U.S. leadership for In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) capability.

Duties

Serves as the engineering fluids lead for in-space servicing and refueling of satellites, spacecraft, and lunar/deep space surface systems. Performs research and development activities to close technology gaps and reduce mission risk. This includes, but is not limited to, spaceflight systems design, development, test, and evaluation. Leads the work of a multi-disciplinary team to achieve goals and facilitates collaboration among team members. Develops and presents high quality and competitive research and development proposals to acquire funding for future projects. Defines project goals, timelines, budgets, and scope of work for research and development projects. Manages resources and ensures tasks are completed on schedule. Tracks project progress, manages risk, and addresses any issues that arise. Supports procurements of hardware, parts, services, etc. by inspecting, testing, and accepting contract line items, monitoring contractor's performance, controlling Government-furnished property, etc. as a Contract Officer Representative (COR). Performs comprehensive project reviews, prepares reports, keeps stakeholders informed of project status, publishes results. Represents and presents at program level boards and panels. Assists in building partnerships within NASA, other government agencies, military, industry, and academia for future collaborative opportunities. 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.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, Bargaining Unit and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-Directorate/Division/Branch requirements.
• If the individual selected is currently at the GS-14 grade level, they will be detailed at their current grade and step. If the individual is a current GS-13, they will be temporarily promoted to the GS-14 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. To qualify at the GS-14 level, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Writing research and development proposals to acquire federal funding for projects; Writing technical reports and/or publishing results of research and test efforts in academic journals or NASA publications; Interpreting and applying the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for procurement of parts, etc., and/or experience working as a Contracting Officer (COR)/Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR). 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; 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]