Job Description
Summary You will serve as an Aerospace Engineer/Research Pilot in the Research Services Directorate which involves the piloting of aircraft (and/or Uninhabited Aerial Systems(UASs)) used in research, development, and test programs; planning/evaluating test parameters; performing flight and/or ground simulations of advanced missions and aircraft; participating with project engineers and scientists responsible for development, design, testing, evaluation, and reporting on new aircraft or aircraft systems. Duties Help Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee. Participates in engineering research and operational aspects of a wide variety of flight, simulation, and lab experiments which require operation of aircraft types from single engine piston aircraft to medium sized jet aircraft. Applies aviation/flight test knowledge and experience/safety practices to all flight projects in order to safely plan and operate Langley aircraft in support of NASA missions. Develops, executes, and leads complex plans for flight mission operations with complicated and interactive factors, concepts, or conditions. Develops mission operations plans to accomplish research objectives. Applies accepted flight research principles/practices/techniques for aircraft operations to meet requirements of research experiments. Serves as a safety pilot during flight experiments/research with other subject pilots. Interfaces with experiment developers, flight crew, research systems personnel, and mechanics in formulating/applying system constraints/procedures to flight documentation or flight/ground activities. Serves as a Lead Research Pilot on assigned flight/simulation experiments providing support piloting/operational consultation on other experiments/activities both inside and outside the continental United States. Develops/designs flight operations, equipment, or systems for a broad range of interdisciplinary activities that cut across conventional lines of engineering/scientific fields. Requirements Help Conditions of employment This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. See Additional Information section You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement. You must be proficient in the English Language. At the time of initial appointment, you must possess a current FAA first class medical certificate or a military pilot flight physical; or you must obtain a NASA flight medical certification. Position subject to pre-employment background security investigation. If selected, you will be required to complete a financial disclosure statement. Qualifications In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. 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. Certificate and Rating: A current Federal Aviation Administration commercial pilot's license with an instrument rating OR A pilot and instrument rating from the armed services. Flight Hours: 1,500 hours of pilot-in-command (or first pilot) flight time that included at least 500 hours in jet aircraft having at least 3,000 pounds of thrust per engine. FLYING TIME IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS -- Recent flight hours may be waived provided the individual's total background reflects the ability to perform the duties of the position safely. NOTE: Candidates establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate and if requested. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. Specialized experience: To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level: Piloting in an aerospace rese