Public Notice - Computer Scientist (Direct Hire)

Summary

You will work with a team of engineers and scientists to provide world-class high-end computing, aerosciences, and related resources to NASA scientists and engineers who are making breakthrough scientific discoveries, advancing the Nation's airspace, developing next generation Space exploration systems. Positions advertised are in various organizations at Marshall Space Flight Center, and may be filled in any of the grade levels listed in this announcement (GS-9/11/12/13/14/15).

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.
• Develop and implement a long-term strategic vision for the Division, identify opportunities to meet strategic objectives, maintain stakeholder relations and obtain resources to advance strategic goals of the organization.
• Implement management processes for near term activities and strategic planning, effectively respond to emerging business opportunities, and deliver high-quality, timely, and cost-effective technical and management products to customers.
• Direct and manage development and design of large, new, and unusually complex technology, equipment, or systems that impact national or international programs.
• Lead collaborations with relevant academic institutions, private industry, and other Federal government agencies. Monitor program, project, and agreements for which the organization is responsible.
• Develop or direct development of innovative and novel concepts, processes, and techniques to maintain NASA at the global forefront of science, technology, exploration and aeronautics.
• Ensure that each facility and equipment under Division’s control is operated safely and has a current safety plan. Ensure cybersecurity of all division assets without impacting user experience.
• Maintain a risk assessment document in which all risks and hazards associated with each piece of equipment are identified and assessed. Establish, documents, and ensure compliance with safe operating and emergency procedures.
• Direct and assess government and contractor activities to ensure high-performance computing operations are executed in accordance with established standards and procedures.
• For supervisory positions, you will perform a full range of supervisory duties which includes assigning and evaluating work; recommending personnel actions; taking disciplinary actions; and identifying training needs and developing employees.
  
  

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/trial 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.
• A one -year supervisory probationary period may be required.
  
  

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.

To qualify for GS-09, you must have:

• One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:
• Assisting with software development, testing, coding, scripting, data analysis, automation, systems administration, modeling, simulation, or application support; supporting projects involving scientific, engineering, research, or mission-support systems; applying standard methods to solve routine technical problems.
  
  

OR

• Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in an appropriate field
  
  

OR

• Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
  
  

OR

• Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above
  
  

To qualify for GS-11, you must have:

• You must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level:
• Developing, modifying, testing, or integrating software applications or computational tools; supporting systems, databases, cloud or high-performance computing environments; implementing automation or data-processing solutions.
  
  

OR

• Completed all requirements for a doctoral degree (i.e., Ph.D. or equivalent) in an appropriate field
  
  

OR

• Completed 3 full academic years of graduate education in an appropriate field
  
  

OR

• Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above
  
  

To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

• Designing, developing, and maintaining software systems or data architectures; applying cybersecurity, software assurance, configuration management, or DevSecOps practices; performance optimization, modeling, simulation, or data analytics.
  
  

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

• Leading the design, development, integration, or modernization of software-intensive systems; architecting applications, platforms, or data solutions; evaluating emerging technologies and resolving complex technical issues.
  
  

To qualify for GS-14, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level:

• Directing or overseeing major software, computing, data, artificial intelligence, modeling, simulation, cybersecurity, or digital transformation initiatives; integrating cross-organizational requirements and assessing programmatic and technical risk; providing authoritative advice to senior leadership on mission-critical systems, advanced technologies, or enterprise-wide computing strategies.
  
  

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

• Leading large, complex, and high-impact technical portfolios; influencing policy, standards, and long-range planning; serving as a senior technical authority or principal advisor to executives on mission, program, or enterprise computer science matters.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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.

Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only: Computer Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: a. Computer Science and Pure Mathematics are fully qualifying for Data Analysis, Modeling and Theoretical Simulation Techniques positions without further course requirements. For Data Systems, Hardware Systems and Software Systems positions, Computer Science and Pure Mathematics are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by 12 semester hours (or the equivalent) in appropriate Physical Science or Engineering courses and includes or is supplemented by at least two courses shown under "b.2." b. Applied Mathematics is qualifying if includes or is supplemented by at least two of the following courses: 1. For Data Analysis, Modeling and Theoretical Simulation Techniques: numerical methods (or numerical analysis); linear algebra, theory of equations, differential equations, mathematical statistics (if six semester hour course), operating systems, theory of computation, computer networks, programming languages, data structures, data base management, computer graphics, compiler construction, computer architecture, software engineering. 2. For Data Systems, Hardware Systems and Software Systems: electronics, electrical networks, solid-state physics (for transistors, tapes, etc.), optics (for simulation), electricity and magnetism, computer organization, logic design, control systems, communication theory. c. Other appropriate physical science and engineering majors are qualifying if the major includes or is supplemented by six semester hours (or the equivalent) in Mathematics beyond Basic Calculus and includes or is supplemented by at least two courses shown above under "b."

Promotion Potential: The full performance level (FPL) will vary based on the position in which the selectee is placed and does not default to the highest grade advertised.

Education


Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:

• Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
• Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
• Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.
  
  

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States:

Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States:

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.



All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

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.

Other duty locations not specifically listed on this announcement may be considered at management's discretion.

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.

Supervisory probationary periods are not subject to the above process, although, if a standard probationary period is required. You are subject to the conditions of both a standard probationary period and the supervisory probationary period.

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.



Help



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.

Review our benefits

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.