Public Notice - Engineering Technician (Direct Hire)

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Hampton (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Langley Research Center is recruiting for positions at GS-09/10/11/12 levels. Responsibilities include performing technical work for test operations, operating systems, and machining tasks to support equipment, labs, and facilities.

Applicants must meet specialized experience or educational requirements and be eligible for federal service. On-site work in Hampton, VA with potential for formal training and collaboration with engineering teams to resolve complex issues and ensure system

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in installation, maintenance or repair of aircraft/mechanical or electrical equipment.
• Ability to perform fabrication or modification tasks under supervision.
• Educational credentials or equivalent combination of experience as described for GS-9/10/11/12 levels.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical work for aircraft, systems, labs or facilities supporting test operations.
• Operate technical systems (mechanical, controls, electrical, photo/video, instrumentation) as a test team member.
• Perform machinist tasks and fabricate/modify test hardware with precision components.
• Support maintenance of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems in labs and facilities.
• Develop work documentation and procedures to enable efficient fabrication and operations.
• Collaborate with engineering staff to resolve complex technical issues and ensure readiness.
• Work effectively in multidisciplinary teams during live operations and test runs with safety in mind.

Skills

Machining

Fabrication

Electrical systems

Test operations

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in engineering or related field

2 full academic years of graduate study in engineering/physical sciences

Bachelor's degree in engineering or physical science

Tools

Machine tools

Fabrication tools

Electrical measurement equipment

Job description

Summary

Positions to be filled at Langley Research Center. NASA may fill positions in any of the following grade levels listed in this announcement (GS-09/10/11/12 levels).

Summary

Positions to be filled at Langley Research Center. NASA may fill positions in any of the following grade levels listed in this announcement (GS-09/10/11/12 levels).

Duties

• 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.
• Perform technical work activities for assigned aircraft, systems, labs or facilities supporting facility test operations and test execution to customer requirements.
• Operate technical systems (mechanical, controls, electrical, photo/video, and instrumentation) as a test team member in support of ground testing operations and in accordance with facility procedures and training.
• Perform machinist tasks including operating machine tools, fabricating and modifying test hardware, and maintaining precision mechanical components in support of test operations.
• Support maintenance of the mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems and labs of the experimental facilities under the supervision of team leads and facility engineering staff.
• Support the development of work documentation and procedures to help execute efficient fabrication, maintenance, and operational tasks.
• Collaborate with engineering staff to resolve complex technical issues and ensure system readiness.
• Perform work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams during live operations, test runs, or facility procedures where communication and safety are critical.

Requirements

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• 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.
• To be considered for employment, you must submit your complete application by 11:59 PM ET on September 15, 2026.

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-09

• One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level in the Federal service that includes:
• Supporting installation, maintenance, or repair of aircraft, mechanical or electrical equipment;
• Performing basic machining, welding, sheet-metal, fluid-system, or electrical fabrication tasks under close supervision.

OR

• Completed all requirements for a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.

OR

• Completed at least 2 full academic years of graduate education in engineering, engineering technology, industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics.

OR

• An equivalent combination of experience and graduate education

To qualify for GS-10

• Supporting operation, maintenance or repair of aircraft, mechanical, electrical or instrumentation systems in a test or experimental facility;
• Performing fabrication or modification tasks with limited supervision.

To qualify for GS-11

• Supporting operation or maintenance of aircraft, facilities and labs under the supervision of team leads and engineering staff;
• Collaborating with engineering or technical staff to resolve issues.

To qualify for GS-12

• Supporting the coordination of work activities which may include fabricating and modifying test hardware, system outages, or maintenance schedules across teams, labs, aircraft or facilities;
• Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues in collaboration with engineering or technical staff.

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.

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

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

(GS-9 Level Only) If you are using education completed in the United States to meet the qualification requirements, your degree must have been awarded from a college or university that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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

In the Announcement Questionnaire, you will be prompted to select the lowest grade you wish to be considered for.

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.

ICTAP eligibility

• 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."

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.

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

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.

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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.