Mechanical Engineer DR-0830-02 (GS-12/13 Equiv)

Job Overview

We will be accepting candidate submissions from 5 Mar 2024 to 22 Mar 2024.

Include all APDP Acquisition Certification(s) in the resume. Provide transcripts with submission. If you are a current government employee, include your most recent SF 50 with submission. If your transcripts, SF50 are not included with this announcement, you may not be found qualified for the position. 

This announcement may be used to fill like-vacancies for 90 days after the closing date.  Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.  This vacancy announcement may be used for future filling in similar/like positions in the future.

The AFRL Munitions Directorate seeks to hire a DR-0830-02 (Mechanical Engineer) in the Science and Technology Division (RWT) at Eglin AFB in Valparaiso, Florida. A candidate must have experience with engineering and/or managing technical efforts related to mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and engineering or related fields.

A candidate needs experience working in a branch (e.g., second-tier work center) and/or division (e.g., third-level work center) in or with a Department of the Executive Branch (e.g. DoD, DoE, OSTP, national labs, etc.). A good candidate will also have worked in a munition sensor research-, development- and testing-related environment.  Experience leading science and technology, conducting research and development, and/or managing technical programs in physics-based simulation and analysis, modeling energetic materials and/or mechanics of materials. Previous experience with these technical areas working in an R&D laboratory leading basic to advanced technology development would be ideal. The strong candidate will also have experience managing multi-agency collaborations and a portfolio of funding from internal and external sources to drive success and innovation in these technical areas. Experience with aligning technical development of technologies in these areas for the overall organization’s priorities would be ideal. Experience leading science and technology, conducting research and development and managing technical programs with energetic materials and mechanics of materials. An excellent candidate will also have experience in high strain rate testing, dynamic (tension and compression) testing as well as quasistatic (Triaxial-confined) testing. The excellent candidate will also have experience advising their senior leadership and addressing strategic technology solutions at the national/international level related to these technical areas.”

Position duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs expert level professional engineering and scientific work involving the design, development, commission, manufacture, operation, maintenance, and disposal of mechanical devices and systems and their equipment and/or components.

• Applies expert knowledge of thermodynamics, mechanics, and other physical, mathematical, and engineering science to analyze and resolve problems concerned with production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy, especially heat and mechanical power.

• Independently defines research objectives and determines how they may be best accomplished, develops and evaluates alternatives, defines the approach, conducts the analyses, and documents findings and products.

• Demonstrates a mastery of, and skill in applying, innovative mechanical engineering practices, techniques, and methodology to identify, analyze, and resolve issues; ensures resolutions are consistent with program objectives. Demonstrates creativity and foresight by identifying, preparing, and presenting detailed technical reports and briefings on new concepts and technical directions impacting programs/projects, and defining future technology requirements.

• Collaborates, interacts, coordinates, and/or directly consults with AF, other governments, DoD, academic, and industry partners.

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for situational telework; as determined by agency policy

Remote Work (CONUS)

No, this position is not approved for remote work.

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship.

• Subject to satisfactory security and suitability requirements.

• Must possess a professional science or engineering (S&E) degree from an accredited academic institution.

• Must have at least one year of specialized experience at the DR-01/GS-11 for the DR-02 and DR-02/GS-12/13 for the DR-03 vacancy or equivalent grade level. 

• Must have OR be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI (Special Sensitive) clearance.

• This position is an Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) position requiring Level/Tier 2 (Practitioner) Non-Critical certification in Engineering & Technical Management (N). Applicants for this position must list any acquisition certifications and status as an acquisition corps member in their resume.

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. or B. 

Combination of education and experience

 College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnishes (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 a background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1. Professional registration or licensure 

Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.

2. Written Test

 Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. 

3. Specified academic courses 

-- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.

4. Related curriculum

 Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all inclusive.)

 Basic Education Requirement Physical Scientist:

This vacancy has a positive education requirement. To be rated as qualified, you must provide copies of your college transcripts. 

Failure to provide copies of your college transcripts may result in a rating of "Ineligible". 

Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

A. Degree:

 Physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.

or

B. Combination of education and experience

 Education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience, or additional education.  In addition to meeting the above education requirement, the candidate must also possess the experience below:

Required Documents:

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete package which includes: 

Your RESUME (must not include pictures) 

Showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including duties performed; full name and address of each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year EX: 24 JAN 2021 - 20 May 2024); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).

Transcripts, 

listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements.

If candidate is a current government employee-the most recent SF 50 must be submitted.

Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.  It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted. Do not provide photos or list a Social Security Number or date of birth on any attachment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience related to or supporting energetics mission area concept development, science and technology, research and development, test and evaluation, program management, employment, and/or sustainment. 

• At least one year of experience with primary duties in weapons/munitions science and technology, research and development, test and evaluation, program management, and/or employment, sustainment.

• Experience working in a branch (e.g., second-tier work center) and/or division (e.g., third-level work center) in or with a Department of the Executive Branch (e.g. DoD, DoE, OSTP, national labs, etc.). A good candidate also will have worked in a munition sensor research-, development- and testing-related environment.

• Experience leading science and technology, conducting research and development, and/or managing technical programs in physics-based simulation and analysis, modeling energetic materials and/or mechanics of materials. Previous experience with these technical areas working in an R&D laboratory leading basic to advanced technology development would be ideal. The strong candidate will also have experience managing multi-agency collaborations and a portfolio of funding from internal and external sources to drive success and innovation in these technical areas. Experience with aligning technical development of technologies in these areas for the overall organization’s priorities would be ideal.

• Experience leading science and technology, conducting research and development and managing technical programs with energetic materials and mechanics of materials. An excellent candidate will also have experience in high strain rate testing, dynamic (tension and compression) testing as well as quasistatic (Triaxial-confined) testing. The excellent candidate will also have experience advising their senior leadership and addressing strategic technology solutions at the national/international level related to these technical areas.”

• Demonstrated the ability to lead or guide cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams to solve technical or warfighter challenges.

• Experience distilling strategic and/or leadership guidance into actionable plans or courses of action.

• Diversity of experience includes successfully completed assignments in multiple organizations across at least two geographic locations.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to motivate, develop, and grow technical teams.

• Passion for developing innovative approaches and solutions.

• Cultivates and sustains a professional environment of cooperation, cohesion, and teamwork.

• The ability to work and lead others in complex, non-standard, and fast-paced environments.

• The ability to support and enable an organizational program, mission, vision, values, and promote a culture of innovation.

• Experience with facilitating and enabling internal/external collaboration and partnerships.

• A Master's or Doctoral Degree is desired in an appropriate career field.

• Completion of Intermediate Developmental Education and/or Senior Developmental Education. 

(Req #72986)

Series

0830