Mechanical Engineer

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a senior design team member performing design duties in support of the Trainer Development Flight. Incumbent is a member of a design team, which may consist of engineers, drafters, planners and integrated process team members from a variety of disciplines and technical staff on complex trainer fabrication, modification and training aid multi-phase projects assigned to 982d Maintenance Squadron, Trainer Design & Development section.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions, Mechanical Engineering Series 0830.

BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree : Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts with your application.

OR

Combination of education and experience - college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration or licensure, Written Test, Specified academic courses, Related curriculum. Click here to view occupational requirements for this position: Qualification Standard for Professional Engineering Positions

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-11, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience include planning and executing assignments for projects concerning aircraft and missile maintenance training device systems which entail a variety and combinations of complicating factors, interaction with other engineering specializations, and consideration of the lifecycle of systems. Perform assignments involving mechanical designs and engineering issues encountered in the development and production of new systems or modifications to existing systems. Apply a number of diverse engineering practices, techniques, and processes to identify and resolve difficult issues, as well as ensure resolutions are consistent with program objectives, existing policies, and procedures. Employee plans, analyzes, and evaluates engineering and technical efforts used to define total weapons system/subsystem requirements, translates requirements into design criteria, evaluate alternative design approaches, and develop the system specifications. Performs engineering and scientific work involving the design, development, commission, manufacture, operation, maintenance, and disposal of mechanical devices, systems, their equipment and/or components.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of professional mechanical engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply engineering theories, principles, and concepts to system design, architecture, and integration.

2. Knowledge of systems engineering issues and best practices sufficient to plan, design, test, troubleshoot, evaluate, and oversee the development and/or sustainment of mechanical systems or devices.

3. Knowledge of other engineering disciplines and standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures.

4. Skill in preparing design concepts, formulating working drawings, expressing proposals, and establishing requirements for technical objectives and characteristics.

5. Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

6. Ability to prepare design concepts, convey ideas, and formulate working drawings using computer aided design and drafting (CADD) programs, and/or project management/scheduling software programs.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.