Aerospace Engineer, AST, Research Pilot (Direct Hire)

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center seeks a Research Pilot to conduct experimental flight tests and support aeronautics and Earth science missions. You will fly a range of aircraft, including upcoming Boeing 737/777 research flights, while collaborating with engineers and scientists to meet mission objectives.

The role requires FAA pilot certification with instrument rating or military equivalence, 1,500 PIC hours (500+ in jets), and specialized experience at GS-14 level, plus strong safety

Qualifications

• Current FAA commercial pilot's license with instrument rating OR equivalent military rating.
• 1,500 hours pilot-in-command with at least 500 hours in jet aircraft with ≥3,000 lb thrust per engine.
• One year of directly related specialized experience at the GS-13 level or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experimental and developmental flight tests and support airborne science missions.
• Plan and execute flight research missions with engineers and project teams as test pilot.
• Operate aircraft with scientific payloads, remote sensing systems, and research instrumentation while ensuring safety and data quality.
• Work with Airborne Science scientists to optimize flight lines and mission profiles in real time.
• Maintain proficiency across multiple aircraft and handle in-flight and on-ground emergencies.

Skills

Pilot qualifications

Flight hours

Test flight experience

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

STEM degree with calculus/electronics

Job description

Summary

The Armstrong Flight Research Center (AFRC) is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Research Pilot to support aeronautics flight research and Earth science missions. The incumbent will conduct experimental and developmental flight tests, support complex airborne science operations, and contribute to NASA's mission to advance aerospace technology and scientific discovery flying a wide range of aircraft to include upcoming flight research on Boeing 737 and 777 aircraft.

Duties

• Serve as a Research Pilot in the Flight Operations Branch, which is responsible for the execution of multiple aeronautics and airborne science research projects.
• Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and technical teams to plan and execute flight research missions and assist in the accomplishment of mission objectives by active participation as a test pilot.
• Operate aircraft carrying scientific payloads, remote sensing systems, and specialized research instrumentation while ensuring mission safety and data quality.
• Work closely with Airborne Science project scientists to understand data requirements, optimize flight lines, and adjust real time mission profiles.
• Maintain proficiency in multiple aircraft and demonstrates expertise in handling all types of in-flight and on-ground emergencies.

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 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

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.
• Specialized experience:

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

• Inflight experience executing flight test techniques for performance and flying qualities testing;
• Performing Pilot in command experience in transport or bomber type aircraft;
• Performing flight research, flight test, or airborne test bed aircraft operations

Preferred Candidates

Pilot graduate of a recognized Test Pilot School.

To receive proper consideration, you must:

• Submit a copy of your license (front and back) with your application AND
• Ensure that your flight hours are indicated in your resume.

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.

Education

This position requires education or exceptional experience.

Basic Education Requirement

• 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.

Applicants who do not fully meet the basic education requirement may still be considered if they possess exceptional relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience, that clearly demonstrates significant full performance-level achievement directly related to the duties of 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.

For purposes of Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) selection priority, well-qualified is defined as possessing knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position, as determined through SME review of the resume/application. If you have special priority selection rights under ICTAP, you must:

• Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position.
• Exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position.
• Submit proof that you meet the requirements for ICTAP as indicated in "Required Documents."

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.

• 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.

Benefits

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.

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.