AST, Technical Management (Direct Hire)

Full Job Description

As the Avionics and Flight Termination System (FTS) Team Lead within the Space Launch System (SLS), Stages Element Office, you will be responsible for the leading the avionics and FTS team of civil service and contractor personnel.

You will advise the Element Manager on all matters relating to avionics and FTS.

You will monitor and report on the prime contractor's performance and will be responsible for effectively interfacing with the engineering community, safety, and procurement personnel.

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below.

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.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work.

The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

To qualify for GS-15, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level: Managing avionics and control systems project resources and assessing prime contractor performance against established metrics (such as cost, schedule, risk, performance, or technical aspects); Managing multi-disciplinary teams performing work related to the development, integration, test, evaluation, or operations of avionics and control systems design; and Providing advisory services for management, boards, working groups, or technical committees.

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.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses.

Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process. Major Duties:

• Serves as the senior expert technical authority for engineering projects/requirements for the Avionics Team. Keeps the Stages Element Manager informed on progress toward proposed contract modifications, resource analyses, and proposal analysis.
• Serves as expert representative on working groups. Conducts comprehensive project and/or program reviews. Serves as technical liaison within the Space Launch System Program (SLSP) and with other NASA centers and external agencies.
• Provides expert technical advice to program managers and contractor professionals. Implements process modifications or develops alternate solutions to reduce time and costs for versatile and innovative projects.
• Establishes and maintains liaison with program managers and works closely with their representatives to ensure that concerns such as proper facility, operations, or systems requirements definition, and adequate funding are met.
• Manages significant elements of complex projects with three or more subsystems, that support major NASA functions, programs, or projects. Develops new tools, methods, techniques, or systems that contribute to a larger program or project.
• Overcomes difficult and complex technical, project management, and organizational problems. Plans, guides, coordinates, and manages the work of subordinate, and matrixed resources. Performs periodic review to assess achievement of major goals.
• Provides engineering analysis for special projects, future projects, and in advance planning of new systems and capabilities of all applicable NASA programs and areas of concern and responsibility.
• Provides expert technical advice and direction to contractor professionals. Keeps the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) informed on progress, proposed contract modifications, analysis of proposals, and assessment of contract time extensions.