Serves as an engineer within the Federal Aviation Administration. In this capacity, directly participates in and is responsible for planning, developing, reviewing, and evaluating major aviation safety research initiatives. Uses professional engineering principles on a wide variety of research efforts that lead to a safe, efficient, and cost-effective National Airspace System (NAS) through the research & development of innovative aviation technologies.
Develops and implements independent and interdependent engineering studies to resolve issues and/or identify problems. Analyzes, tests and evaluates operational and technical information; identifies, mitigates or resolves current or potential problems with systems. Evaluates existing/proposed policies, standards, requirements, and objectives for efficient performance of programs and systems. Evaluates state-of-the-art technology, aerospace engineering concepts, and potentially useful tests and evaluations internal and external to FAA. Analyzes trends, developments, and performance data. Determines compatibility with established/planned systems and their desirability and effectiveness. Identifies requirements for new or modified standards, objectives, policies, or system modifications.
Submits fully documented recommendations for systems acquisition, approval, and/or modification to supervisor. Functions as Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) during the acquisition and procurement cycle. Participates in a team that reviews contractor proposals for adequacy of design, and for operation, maintenance, and implementation procedures. Conducts feasibility, cost-benefit, and other studies for technical and fiscal adequacy. Submits evaluations and recommendations to Contracting Officer.
Participates and contributes to an interdisciplinary team of technical experts to develop, test, evaluate, and/or implement aircraft systems and/or components that impact the NAS. Represents the organizational unit at various seminar, committee, user group panel, and conference meetings at intraagency, interagency, aviation industry, and national levels.
Coordinates and provides technical guidance to managers and sponsors. Identifies existing or potential problems. Assists in defining requirements, proposes alternatives, and coordinates solutions with sponsors. Provides periodic status reports to supervisors. Identifies existing/potential problems which may impact on established or proposed plans, identifies alternatives, and provides recommendations. Conducts administrative or on-site comprehensive reviews of existing or proposed projects; verifies cost estimates with managers throughout the FAA. Identifies questionable parts of proposals or procedures. Develops funding documents and/or schedules and milestones.
Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced engineer. Acts as a contributing specialist on large work activities or as a team leader for single or small work activities.
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. Identifies and informs management of problems that require their attention. Often develops and recommends techniques to address problem situations.
Defines, plans, and organizes assigned resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish small work activities within established schedules.
Starting at $96,805 Per Year (FV I)
