Electronics Engineer (COMM)
What you'd do
Incumbent provides engineering support for NAS Aeronautical Information Systems.
Major duties
Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments and plans the implementation of projects/programs under limited direction of a manager, project/program manager, or more experienced engineer. Applies experience and advanced knowledge of electronics engineering principles, theories, and concepts to accomplish assignments and to develop plans and techniques to improve programs and policies. Typical assignments include: Provides engineering support for operations and maintenance, analyzing NAS performance trends and formulates recommended solutions, provides installation support to engineers/specialists assigned to the project, and the establishment/upgrade of facilities and systems in the NAS. Incumbent applies professional knowledge, practices, principles, theories, concepts, techniques and abilities, for the electronic engineering discipline, dealing in particular with engineering analysis for surveillance radar/automation and weather systems. As a technical engineer within their specialty area, incumbent may represent Technical Operations at various service and national level meetings on these matters. As a team member, provides guidance and advice to solve complex technical problems relating to the operation design, or implementation of radar, weather and associated automation equipment and services. Provides engineering advice and proactive assistance required to resolve difficult and complex problems relating to FAA surveillance and automation systems. Under guidance with management, and more senior technical leads, supports briefing various service and national level meetings and industry experts on the impacts and benefits of radar/automation design system solutions. Performs detailed obstruction evaluations (OEs) for analysis of airspace matters. Contacts are internal and external. May act as a key technical point of contact for assigned activities. Contributes to the preparation of management/technical reports or contractual documents, and may be called upon to communicate the overall results of a project or work activity. Established policies/procedures provide guidance for most assignments, but allow considerable discretion to select the most appropriate approach or to recommend new approaches. Provides guidance to lower-level staff to solve difficult technical issues. Resolves all but unique technical problems without the intervention of management or a more experienced engineer. Work is reviewed periodically, typically at major milestones and at completion, for technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity. Work activities typically support and may be vital to the success of projects or activities of one or more organizational units, subdivisions, and LOB's/SO's.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for this position you must have a degree in professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced that 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 A combination of education and experience that furnished: (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional 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. There are alternate methods to meeting the engineering educational requirement (for example, holding current professional engineering registration, having passed the EIT examination, or having completed specified academic courses or a related degree). For more information on the alternate methods, please refer to the OPM Qualification Standards for Engineering at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs0800/0800.htm or you may contact the Employment Services Section (ANM-14), Human Resources Division. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, candidates must also meet the Specialized Experience requirements as stated below. To qualify for this position at the I band, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the H band (FG/GS-10/11/12). Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. The candidate must possess experience directly related to the engineering design, system performance optimization, and installation of communication systems within the National Airspace System (NAS). As a first-level Engineer, the selected candidate is expected to provide field support to correct and maintain NAS communications infrastructure, ensuring the continued safety and performance of airspace operations. This includes ensuring that communication meet FAA standards for reliability and efficiency. While prior knowledge of Obstruction Evaluations (OE) is beneficial, the selected candidate will be expected to serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in reviewing and responding to OE cases. This role entails conducting comprehensive analyses within the OE/AAA system, encompassing both off-airport OEs and on-airport Non-Rulemaking Airport (NRA) aeronautical studies. Responsibilities may include performing initial Level 2 screenings and conducting advanced Level 3 evaluations, which require a thorough understanding of communications systems and their integration within the National Airspace System (NAS). Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Applicants should include examples of their specialized experience in their work history.
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