Information Technology Specialist (Data Scientist) (Direct Hire)

Summary

As a Data Systems Engineer with NASA's Earth Science Division, you will serve as the division's principal systems engineering expert supporting large-scale modernization and consolidation of Earth science data systems and its representative for Science Mission Directorate cloud infrastructure efforts. You will provide independent technical leadership, architectural guidance, and strategic oversight in direct support of NASA's Earth science data and Open Science mission objectives.

Duties



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• Serve as the principal technical subject matter expert for enterprise data systems engineering and architecture, providing independent oversight and guidance for large-scale modernization and consolidation efforts across Earth science data systems.
• Oversee and coordinate the transition of distributed data archive and user services functions to a unified operational model, ensuring interoperability, scalability, and alignment with agency priorities.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance for developing and implementing foundational data products, ensuring systems support reproducibility, traceability, and open science principles across the Earth science data lifecycle.
• Serve as the programs’ technical liaison between headquarters program offices and center-level teams, coordinating systems engineering activities and ensuring consistent architectural standards across multi-center and multi-organizational efforts.
• Evaluate and provide recommendations on emerging technologies and architectural approaches to support the long-term modernization of earth science data ingest, archive, and distribution systems, including cloud-based service delivery models.
• Coordinate with high-end computing programs and stakeholders to assess computational requirements, evaluate integration opportunities, and ensure Earth science data systems can leverage advanced computing resources for mission objectives.
• Provide divisional representation, technical expertise, and guidance for consolidating core cloud services across SMD, evaluating architectural options and ensuring transitions are technically sound, sustainable, aligned with enterprise standards.
• Represent the Earth science division in technical forums, working groups, and interagency discussions, preparing and delivering briefings and technical assessments for senior leadership and stakeholders on data systems engineering initiatives.
  
  

Requirements



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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.
• Position subject to pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance. Investigation/Clearance may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Travel Requirements for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
  
  

Qualifications

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.

To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level.

• Designing or evaluating enterprise-level system architectures for large-scale scientific or operational data systems, including defining interoperability standards, integration approaches, and technical requirements across multiple organizational components;
• Leading or coordinating systems engineering activities supporting the modernization, consolidation, or transition of data ingest, archive, or distribution systems in a cloud or hybrid computing environment;
• Representing a program or organization in technical forums, interagency working groups, or senior leadership engagements to communicate systems engineering strategies, architectural decisions, or modernization plans.
  
  

AND

IF you are qualifying based on experience, you MUST also have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below:

• Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
• Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Your resume must include a clear and detailed narrative description, in your own words, of how you meet the required specialized experience. Experience statements copied from a position description, vacancy announcement or other reference material constitutes plagiarism and may result in disqualification and losing consideration for the job.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement.

If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must:

• Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility.
• Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position
• Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents'
  
  

For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap.

Any applicant that received a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) from the federal governmentwithin the last five years based of the closing date of this announcement, if selected, may be required to repay the full amount prior to establishing a start date. For additional information on the VSIP repayment requirement, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/voluntary-separation-incentive-payments/.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Probationary Period

You may be required to serve a one-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
  
  

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.



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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.