Serves as an Aerospace Engineer (International Program Manager) in the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, International Validation Branch and is responsible for managing highly complex and challenging programs and other work activities under the minimal direction of a manager.
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 or international validation of aeronautical products. 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.
Provides guidance to lower-level staff to resolve difficult technical, bilateral, project, or policy interpretation issues. International Program Managers use bilateral agreements, FAA policies/regulations, and risk management principles. Use effective management skills to maintain oversight of a portfolio of products or portfolio of bilateral agreements. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles, theories, and concepts applicable to aerospace engineering as well as an understanding of new technologies and methodologies to solve complex problems and develop improved processes for the organization. Applies effective written communication skills to formulate succinct and appropriate FAA positions and create documents that compel others to take a course of action, instruct others in carrying out tasks or activities, or explain the status, purpose, goals, and objectives of an issue, policy, or project. Communicate bilateral, policy, guidance, and provide instruction to others on how to apply policy and guidance, both internally and externally. Apply effective and communication skills as well as an understanding of myriads of cultures across foreign and FAA stakeholders in order to improve bilateral communications, stakeholder relationships, and organizational processes. Assists FAA stakeholders, Foreign Civil Aviation Authorities (FCAA) and applicants to establish and communicate the appropriate level of involvement of the FAA in type validation activity and to resolve differences. Monitors the level of FCAA involvement in outbound validation activity and use their knowledge of the bilateral agreements to resolve inappropriate FCAA involvement. Coordinates activity related to FCAA approvals of US outbound validation projects with the Certificate Management Aircraft Certification Office (CMACO) and domestic applicant. Leads and/or participates on teams to conduct organizational improvement, implement new processes, procedures, conduct audits, maintenance of confidence, or other activity to achieve organizational objectives related to type validation activity. Uses knowledge of aircraft products and technical understanding to identify, or work with others to identify, the appropriate FAA project team members to conduct project specific activity. Responsible for tracking, conducting, and completing all activities necessary for FAA issuance of design approvals including, but not limited to, development and coordination of new or amended type certificates, new or amended supplemental type certificates, letters of design approval, and type certificate data sheets creation and revision. In addition to issuing new approvals, International Program Managers lead, prioritize, communicate and arbitrate post-type certification issues with the appropriate FAA stakeholders and foreign authorities for assigned products and certificates. Post-type certification activity includes, but is not limited to: - Leads and coordinates discussions on continued operational safety matters related to Airworthiness Directive (AD) actions in conjunction with the FAA Operational Safety Branch. - Develops and coordinates Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) worksheets, Special Airworthiness Information Bulletins (SAIB), and Alternate Methods of Compliance (AMOC). - Responds to comments on proposed AD actions and other documents. - Coordinates branch responses on FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Safety Recommendations. The International Program Managers maintains pro-active awareness of the service and safety events related to the US registered fleet in their assigned portfolio and will be expected to coordinate, lead, and arbitrate FAA and FCAAs toward timely responses and conclusions. Frequent communications with foreign authorities to establish and maintain a close, respectful, and productive relationship. Performs other duties as assigned.