Research Aerospace Engineer, AST, Airbreathing Propulsion Systems (Direct Hire)

Summary

As a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) research aerospace engineer in the Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion Branch at NASA Langley Research Center, you will be working to apply computational methods and tools to numerically simulate the flow in high-speed propulsive flowpaths and around hypersonic vehicles. You will also be part of the branch’s VULCAN-CFD software development team working to enhance existing capabilities, as well as incorporating new capabilities into the software.

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.
• Applies CFD and numerical tools in a parallel processing environment to simulate and analyze the performance and operability of high-speed air-breathing propulsive components.
• Estimates numerical uncertainties and applies optimization methods to improve performance.
• Conducts research to understand the fundamental physics associated with air-breathing propulsive components, flowpaths and ground test facilities and uses CFD to design and evaluate new components, flowpaths and test facility hardware.
• Uses programming skills to add new models and new capabilities into CFD and utility codes.
• These codes are used in a parallel processing environment and use modern CPU and GPU computing hardware.
• Develops new algorithms, methods, and solution approaches to reduce the time it takes CFD practitioner to go from an initial concept to a final solution.
• Implements, verifies and validates CFD software utilizing unit testing, benchmark cases, analytical solutions, and / or method of manufactured solutions to ensure accurate simulation results.
• Utilizes industry standard software tools (development environments, build systems, continuous integration, version control, and performance profiling) to aid in the development of CFD simulation tools for High-Performance Computing environments.
• Prepares technical reports, research papers, and presentations to communicate simulation results in a clear and concise manner.

Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor’s degree or expect to complete the basic education requirement for this position by January 10, 2027 with a major in one of the following: a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science c) 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. Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management’s Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans’ preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet. Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans’ preference does not apply.

However, applicants who are eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans’ Preference information on the FedsHireVets website. You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement.

To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Analytical and Computational Fluid Mechanics Mathematical Modeling and Analysis Aerospace Engineering Software Development To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12983612 NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: Agency-FCCJ@NASA.gov.

Required Documents

• All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length.
• Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised.
• All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment.
• A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
• Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume.
• Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire.
• If you are using a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a resume, it must meet all requirements listed above for a complete resume package.
• Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified: Classified or government sensitive information.
• Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
• Encrypted and digitally signed documents.
• If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application.
• The following documents are required: Resume Transcript As listed in the Education section above, this position has a basic education requirement.
• To be found qualified, you must provide a copy of your college transcript that fully demonstrates you meet the requirements listed in the Education section.
• You may provide either an unofficial transcript or a copy of an official transcript.
• Failure to provide a complete copy of your college transcript that shows you have completed a required degree program or coursework may result in you being found not qualified.
• You may need to submit other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans' preference information, etc.), based on your answers to the application questionnaire.
• When you apply, please verify you submit the appropriate documents.
• Do not submit an OF-306 with your application.
• If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP.
• This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location.
• Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.