The position serves as the Aerospace Engineer (Program Manager) within Aircraft Certification Service (AIR). This position plans and accomplishes highly complex and challenging projects/programs and other work activities under the minimal direction of a manager, or more experienced engineer.
Basic Requirements: Successful completion of a full four-year professional engineering curriculum leading to a bachelor's or higher degree in engineering in an accredited college or university. To be acceptable the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the ABET as a professional engineering curriculum; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than 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); (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics; OR, ALTERNATIVE REQUIREMENTS: Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical 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. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: Professional registration: Current registration as a professional engineer by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico; Written Test: Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico; Specified academic courses: Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum as described in paragraph A; Related curriculum: - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in engineering technology or in an appropriate professional field, e.g., physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. For more information on the alternate methods, please refer to the OPM Qualification Standards for Engineering at: http://main.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/IORs/gs0800/0800.htm, Specialized Experience for J-Band: In addition to the basic/alternative qualification requirements identified above, all applicants must demonstrate one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade (FV-I or FG/GS-13). Specialized experience is experience which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically in or directly related to work of the position to be filled. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE for this position is: Experience with the application of regulations and policy in managing the certification of aeronautical products to include designee management and system oversight. Applicants should include examples of specialized experience in their work history. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Please ensure you answer all questions and follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered for the job.
Serves as a Program Manager with responsibility for planning, coordinating, reviewing, and tracking the certification activities of type certification projects of aircraft, engines or propellers using advanced materials, systems and design concepts. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles, theories, and concepts applicable to his/her discipline, as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies, to solve complex problems and to develop improved technical processes for the organization. In doing so, he/she reviews and analyzes applications for type certificate and supplemental type certificate design approvals from domestic, foreign and Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) applicants. Determines the overall safety of proposed aircraft, engines and propellers, areas requiring issue papers, general acceptability of proposals, resource utilization, and applicability of the proposed certification schedules. Uses experience and knowledge of policy and regulations in managing the certification of aeronautical products to include designee management and system oversight. May act as a principal technical specialist or as a project/program manager or team leader for large work activities. Assists management in distributing certification program work to other members of the workgroup. Conducts regular certification program reviews to ensure focus on goals, objectives, and activities and communicates with management on changes in priorities. Acts as a change agent towards commonly shared goals and coordinates with other FAA team members to ensure that all safety concerns and possible items affecting more than one area are addressed and resolved. Prepares technical documents, which compels others to take action, instruct others in carrying out activities, or explain the purpose, goals, and objectives of a policy/regulations. He/she drafts, reviews, and edits reports or contractual documents for final approval prior to external distribution. Presents briefings to obtain consensus/approval on policies. Coordinates significant technical matters with representatives of external organizations. Broad policies and objectives provide general guidance for addressing issues, but allow considerable discretion to develop new and innovative approaches. Draws on engineering experience to solve unusual problems and may create new solutions and policy interpretations. Provides policy guidance and instruction to others, both internally and externally. Applies principles of good stakeholder service in dealings with industry, AIR and other FAA organizations, bilateral partners, and the public. Integrates stakeholder needs and expectations into delivery of services. Handles stakeholder requests in an expeditious manner and seeks mutually satisfactory approaches to work. Educates the aviation industry on safety management concepts and processes to support product life cycle management. Works to continually improve business processes and the associated product quality. Work is reviewed rarely, typically though status reports and at project completion, to ensure technical compliance and alignment with the requirements of the project or other work activity.