+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Aerospace Engineer, GS- 0861-14**                              |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |   -------------------------------------------------------------  |  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| |   **AST- Aerospace Flight Systems, NCC: 725-12**                 |  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| |   -------------------------------------------------------------  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Position Number:** GS05C02                                     |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Introductory Statement:** The incumbent in this position       |  |
| | serves as the Instrument Manager on a Program or Project within  |  |
| | the Flight Programs and Projects Directorate. The work involves  |  |
| | defining operational requirements, researching, developing,      |  |
| | performing analysis, integrating, and evaluating aerospace and   |  |
| | aeronautical flight systems, vehicles, and payloads as a part of |  |
| | the development of some or all aspects of flight systems or      |  |
| | projects. Duties may also include monitoring contractors engaged |  |
| | in this work. The following major duty areas comprise tasks and  |  |
| | duties directly related to AST-Aerospace Flight Systems work,    |  |
| | NCC 725-12, as described in the AST Definition for that          |  |
| | specialty level. The specialty knowledge described in the        |  |
| | definition is needed to perform the duties of this job in        |  |
| | addition to the knowledge described below.                       |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Performs Technical Contractor Oversight of Aerospace           |  |
| | Engineering Activities 50%**                                     |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Initiates contact and provides expert technical advice and       |  |
| | direction to contractor professionals in areas such as flight    |  |
| | systems, fluid and flight mechanics, the fabrication or          |  |
| | composition of materials and structures, or propulsion and       |  |
| | power. Serves as a senior technical contact and/or Contracting   |  |
| | Officer\'s Technical Representative. Keeps the Contracting       |  |
| | Officer informed on progress, proposed contract modifications,   |  |
| | validity of claims, analysis of proposals, and assessment of     |  |
| | contract time extensions.                                        |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Work complexities require the development of alternate solutions |  |
| | to reduce time and costs, versatility and innovation, and short  |  |
| | cuts or compromises that are considered risky. Resolves unusual  |  |
| | demands caused by extraordinary urgency, safety, or economic     |  |
| | restraints. Performs additional data systems and analysis work.  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Aerospace Engineering Project Management Work 25%**            |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Manages significant elements or phases of projects related to    |  |
| | major agency functions, programs, or projects. Overcomes         |  |
| | difficult and complex technical, project management, and         |  |
| | organizational problems using innovative and original            |  |
| | approaches. Plans, guides, coordinates, and manages the work of  |  |
| | subordinate, secondary, and matrixed resources engaged in        |  |
| | accomplishing the missions and functions of the organization.    |  |
| | Performs periodic review and analysis to assess achievement of   |  |
| | major goals. Provides engineering analysis for special projects, |  |
| | future projects, and in advance planning of new systems and      |  |
| | capabilities of all applicable agency programs and areas of      |  |
| | concern and responsibility. Participates in preliminary and      |  |
| | critical design reviews and determines, develops, and defends    |  |
| | requirements. Responsible for operation, maintenance, and        |  |
| | sustaining engineering planning and execution.                   |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Aerospace Engineering Technology Development & Design 15%**    |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Directs a broad range of inter-disciplinary aerospace            |  |
| | engineering development and design activities. Makes             |  |
| | recommendations and implements actions involving highly complex  |  |
| | aerospace engineering technical problems, including those that   |  |
| | apply to controversial or unusual integrated systems. Defines    |  |
| | unknown conditions, resolves critical problems, or develops new  |  |
| | theories. Directs critical design projects. Determines when      |  |
| | major development should be stopped or major alterations made    |  |
| | due to changes in programs. Plans and establishes overall        |  |
| | outline for design and development of proposed technology,       |  |
| | equipment, or systems. Serves as liaison between research,       |  |
| | design, and operations. Projects affect the work of other        |  |
| | experts and the development of major parts of projects.          |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Performs Aerospace Engineering Studies and Analyses 10%**      |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Conducts conceptual definition studies and complex detailed      |  |
| | analyses to establish preliminary designs and alternatives for a |  |
| | variety of advanced systems on proposed new projects for which   |  |
| | no precedents are available. Contributes inventions, new         |  |
| | designs, or techniques that are of material significance in the  |  |
| | solution of important applied problems with unprecedented or     |  |
| | novel aspects. Originates and establishes unique methods and     |  |
| | applications that provide innovative solutions to complex        |  |
| | engineering issues. Develops and redefines original concepts for |  |
| | advanced technologies, systems, equipment, facilities, or        |  |
| | vehicles.                                                        |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Identifies alternative approaches or compromises to develop the  |  |
| | most cost effective technical solutions. Ensures compatibility   |  |
| | with overall study objectives and schedules. Integrates various  |  |
| | study and analysis results into comprehensive technical          |  |
| | briefings, reports, and technical papers. Provides technical     |  |
| | advice in area of specialization both within and outside the     |  |
| | organization.                                                    |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Anticipates changes in data management and analysis              |  |
| | requirements. Ensures that data models are capable of responding |  |
| | to changing requirements. Adapts analysis methods and approaches |  |
| | to meet the unique requirements of an assignment.                |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTS:**                                     |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Position requires overnight travel 6-10 nights per month.        |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | In order to qualify for this position, incumbent must possess a  |  |
| | bachelor\'s degree appropriate to the position.                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Performs other duties as assigned.                               |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Serves as Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR).   |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Serves as technical liaison between the contractor and the       |  |
| | Contracting Officer by monitoring the contractor\'s performance  |  |
| | and delivery of the final products and/or services under the     |  |
| | contract.                                                        |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Assures technical proficiency and compliance with the technical  |  |
| | provisions of the contract by reviewing and verifying the        |  |
| | performance of work by the contractor.                           |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Ensures the contractor complies with the defined Statement of    |  |
| | Work or specifications included in the contract. Assists the     |  |
| | contractor and the Contracting Officer in interpreting technical |  |
| | requirements of the contract scope of work or specifications.    |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Reviews and evaluates the contractor\'s progress related to      |  |
| | expenditures, and recommends approval/disapproval for payment as |  |
| | appropriate.                                                     |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Recommends and justifies changes desired in scope and/or         |  |
| | technical provisions of the contract.                            |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 1- 8   Knowledge Required by the Position**             |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | The position requires a mastery of the concepts and principles   |  |
| | of aerospace engineering to resolve novel or obscure problems;   |  |
| | extend and modify techniques; develop new approaches that guide  |  |
| | other engineers who solve a variety of technical problems;       |  |
| | and/or apply new, innovative, or experimental aerospace          |  |
| | engineering theories, developments, or practices to problems or  |  |
| | studies not susceptible to treatment by acceptable methods.      |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | a\. A BS degree in an appropriate field of engineering, physical |  |
| | science, or mathematics is required to apply the professional    |  |
| | theories, practices, principles, concepts and techniques of      |  |
| | aerospace technology to plan, develop, and implement instrument  |  |
| | systems.                                                         |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | b\. Expert knowledge of advanced concepts, principles, and       |  |
| | practices used to develop various instruments that will enable   |  |
| | the Instrument Manager to plan, define, and conduct studies or   |  |
| | direct the efforts of other professionals in the development of  |  |
| | instruments.                                                     |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | c\. Extensive knowledge relating to aerospace instrument design, |  |
| | development, fabrication, test, calibration, and development of  |  |
| | performance and test specifications.                             |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | d\. Ability to analyze and translate various engineering and     |  |
| | scientific objectives as they affect/relate to the development,  |  |
| | design and testing of instruments.                               |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | e\. Knowledge of spacecraft, spacecraft subsystems, ground       |  |
| | systems, and software systems technology are required to         |  |
| | properly interface the instruments and/or future instruments to  |  |
| | the spacecraft.                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | f\. Ability to analyze and evaluate instrument performance to    |  |
| | identify critical or potential problem areas, prepare plans and  |  |
| | conduct or direct studies for resolution of problems or          |  |
| | technical difficulties associated with the performance           |  |
| | parameters.                                                      |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | g\. Ability to conduct or direct technical studies and analyses  |  |
| | of the overall instrument system to determine trade offs among   |  |
| | various elements of the instrument for optimization of design    |  |
| | which provides proper balance between instrument performance,    |  |
| | reliability, and spacecraft compatibility.                       |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | h\. Ability to plan and organize work for technical management   |  |
| | and instrument engineering.                                      |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | I. Ability to communicate in writing to prepare technical        |  |
| | briefings, specifications, status reviews, and resources         |  |
| | requirements.                                                    |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | j\. Ability to communicate orally for interface purposes and in  |  |
| | making presentations, briefings, and status updates.             |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| |                                                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 2- 5   Supervisory Controls**                           |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | The supervisor provides guidance solely in the form of general   |  |
| | legislative, mission, or policy directions and resource          |  |
| | constraints. The engineer typically initiates new projects or    |  |
| | activities independently and keeps the supervisor informed of    |  |
| | progress in planning, coordinating, and implementing the work    |  |
| | and resolving conflicts. Recommendations and decisions of the    |  |
| | engineer are accepted as technically sound even though final     |  |
| | approval may depend on formal action by high-level management.   |  |
| | The engineer has the highest degree of independence in seeking   |  |
| | optimum technical or policy solutions to problems in the light   |  |
| | of current engineering developments. Completed work is broadly   |  |
| | reviewed for adherence to mission or legislative direction and   |  |
| | for assurance that broad policy or program objectives are        |  |
| | fulfilled.                                                       |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 3- 5   Guidelines**                                     |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Guidelines are basic legislation and/or broadly stated agency    |  |
| | regulations and policy statements. At this level the engineer is |  |
| | a recognized technical authority in the interpretation of such   |  |
| | broad guidelines, and must exercise considerable judgment and    |  |
| | ingenuity in interpreting and adapting guides that exist; in     |  |
| | developing new and improved hypotheses, concepts, or approaches  |  |
| | not previously tested or reported; and/or in developing new      |  |
| | policies that have the potential to take the organization (and   |  |
| | the affected public) in new directions. The ideas, methods and   |  |
| | procedures developed are on the cutting edge of technology and   |  |
| | often serve as precedents for other scientists, engineers, or    |  |
| | policy-makers within or outside the agency.                      |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 4- 5   Complexity**                                     |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Assignments are of such breadth, diversity, and intensity that   |  |
| | they involve many varied and complex features, and typically     |  |
| | contain a combination of complex features that involve serious   |  |
| | or difficult to resolve conflicts between engineering and        |  |
| | management requirements. The work requires originating           |  |
| | innovative scientific/engineering techniques, establishing       |  |
| | criteria and standards applicable to wide range of engineering   |  |
| | problems and conditions, or developing new scientific concepts   |  |
| | or approaches that advance the state-of-the-science.             |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 5- 5   Scope and Effect**                               |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | The work includes the resolution of a broad range of critical or |  |
| | highly unusual engineering problems, development of innovative   |  |
| | approaches or guides, or the determination of the effectiveness  |  |
| | and validity of proposed or current policies and programs. The   |  |
| | engineer serves as an expert advisor and consultant to officials |  |
| | and managers within or outside the agency on a broad range of    |  |
| | engineering activities and broad policy issues.                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 6- 3   Personal Contacts**                              |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | Personal contacts include a wide range of professional and       |  |
| | administrative personnel throughout the agency, at other federal |  |
| | agencies, in state and local government, private industry,       |  |
| | academia, consumer advocacy groups, and in some cases the media  |  |
| | and elected officials.                                           |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 7- 4   Purpose of Contacts**                            |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | The purpose of contacts is to justify, defend, negotiate, or     |  |
| | settle controversial and far-reaching matters through active     |  |
| | participation in conferences, meetings or presentations. The     |  |
| | persons contacted typically have diverse viewpoints, goals, or   |  |
| | objectives, requiring the engineer to achieve a common           |  |
| | understanding of the problem and a satisfactory solution by      |  |
| | convincing others, arriving at a compromise, or developing       |  |
| | suitable alternatives.                                           |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 8- 1   Physical Demands**                               |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort   |  |
| | may be required, e.g., walking, standing, carrying light items   |  |
| | such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor  |  |
| | vehicle.                                                         |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | **Factor 9- 1   Work Environment**                               |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
| | The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that |  |
| | require normal safety precautions typical of such places as      |  |
| | offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is         |  |
| | adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. There may be         |  |
| | occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage  |  |
| | areas or hazardous waste sites.                                  |  |
| +------------------------------------------------------------------+  |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+