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**ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION AVAILABILITY**

**TITLE: Quality Assurance Systems Technologist I**

**LEVEL: Level P32**

**SALARY: Commensurate With Qualifications/Experience**

**(SCA WAGE DETERMINATION WILL APPLY)**

**EMPLOYMENT DATE: ASAP**

**DIVISION/SECTION: FDV/CSBF -- Palestine, TX**

**(POSITION CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING)**

**QUALIFICATIONS:**

**Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology, industrial
technology, quality engineering, or related field plus one year of
quality control and/or production experience; or an Associate degree in
a related field plus a minimum of three years of related experience; or
any combination of education and experience with a planned program of
progress toward a degree; or equivalent combination of education and
experience in Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) with a
certification as a Quality Auditor or Engineer from the American Society
for Quality (ASQ), which provided the following knowledge, skills, and
abilities:**

-   **Knowledge of QC methods & material testing procedures in a
    production environment, particularly for plastics.**

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-   **Knowledge of and ability to interpret and utilize technical
    specifications, procedures & drawings in reference to balloon and
    balloon materials production.**

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-   **Knowledge of and ability to perform basic mathematic calculations
    and measurements.**

-   **Ability to do basic calibration and maintenance of lab test
    equipment (tensile testers, thickness gauges, etc. and to perform
    and supervise all testing.**

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-   **Ability to manage a QA Test Lab and data files, order routine
    supplies, and supervise lower level QA technicians.**

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-   **Ability and willingness to travel to manufacturing facilities, as
    much as 60% of the time, and perform QA audits of balloon production
    and film extrusion with minimum supervision.**

-   **Ability to stand and walk on the concrete production floor for
    hours at a time.**

-   **Ability to communicate and maintain professional relationships
    with co-workers and manufacturers; and to prepare written and oral
    reports.**

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-   **Skill in the use of word processors, calculators, spreadsheet and
    data base programs, and other office equipment.**

-   **Experience with balloon production and material testing is highly
    desirable.**

-   **Must be eligible to work in the USA and have proof of a valid
    driver's license.**

**EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:**

The selected applicant will be stationed at CSBF and supervised by the
Balloon QA Manager; and will be required to travel about half of the
time to remote manufacturing facilities to conduct QA Audits. Duties at
CSBF will include managing the QA Materials Test Lab, supervising the
lower level QA technicians in normal activities, and preparing audit
reports for the Balloon QA Manager. Lab duties include: maintaining &
calibrating the standard lab test equipment (tensile testers, thickness
gauges, etc.); supervising & performing all the standard balloon
material testing (thickness, tensile, falling ball, etc.); reducing data
& preparing test reports; and maintaining data and material sample
files. QA audit duties include QA surveillance of NASA balloon
production at the Aerostar Balloon Plant in Sulphur Springs, TX,
ensuring that specifications and procedures are followed & monitoring
the quality of the final product. This includes inspections of a portion
of the balloon gores & seals, procedure audits, balloon section audits,
preparation of audit reports, and keeping the Balloon QA Manager
informed of pertinent developments. Quality problems must be dealt with
on site in a timely professional manner with the manufacturer's Quality
Manager. Similarly, QA audits will also be periodically conducted on the
QC testing of balloon film at the extrusion facilities (e.g. at Raven
Ind's in Sioux Falls, SD) during production. Test procedures and test
results will be monitored for compliance with CSBF specifications to
determine if the material is acceptable for NASA balloons. Duties may
also include work that falls within the required qualifications for this
position, e.g. balloon failure investigations.

# See website [http://csbf.nasa.gov](http://csbf.nasa.gov/) for a description of facility and benefits.

**Applicant selected may be subject to a security investigation and drug
and alcohol testing.**

**OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON VERIFICATION OF INDIVIDUAL'S
ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNITED STATES.**

**AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER**