Computer Scientist (Pathways Recent Graduate) (Honors STEM Program)
Federal Communications Commission
Posted: March 27, 2026 (0 days ago)
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Federal Communications Commission
Other Agencies and Independent Organizations
Base salary range: $33,878 - $44,042
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience. Bachelor's degree.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This entry-level computer engineering job is for recent college graduates through the federal government's Pathways Program, where you'll work on designing, testing, and improving computer systems at the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC, or select field offices.
It's ideal for passionate young engineers who care about public service, the U.S. Constitution, and making government more efficient.
You'll start at a beginner level and gain hands-on experience in a supportive federal environment.
This is a Recent Graduates position in the Pathways Program.
Selected candidates will be placed/appointed at various Bureaus/Offices throughout the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, DC.
Limited placements may also be available at one of the FCC's Field Office Locations in Boston, New York, Columbia, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Denver, or Chicago.
Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S.
Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.
Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
In order to be deemed as qualified, candidates must meet the BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS as outlined in SUBPART A below in addition to the REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIA outlined in SUBPART B.
Candidates who apply for this position MUST upload a copy of their transcripts to verify that educational qualification requirements are met.
If transcripts are not submitted, YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE RATED AS INELIGIBLE.
Specialized experience is experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
SUBPART A-BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS All applicants must meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements to fully qualify for the specified entry grade GS-5 click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education in order to receive credit towards qualifications.
Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.
If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment.
Students who have graduated from an accredited college must submit unofficial or official transcripts at the time of application. The transcript must demonstrate the date that the degree was conferred.
You must have graduated by May of 2026 to be eligible for selection.
AND SUBPART B-REQUIRED QUALIFICATION CRITERIA GS-5 To be deemed as qualified candidates must meet the basic educational requirements per the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pd GS-7 In order to be deemed as qualified for the GS-7 Computer Engineer position, applicants may qualify by education or specialized experience or a combination of both education and specialized experience.
Education: 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement OR Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 in the Federal service.
For this position, specialized experience includes the following: performing junior level computer engineering tasks such as performing developmental engineering work in the design, analysis, testing, and evaluation of computer hardware systems and/or related components.
OR A combination of education and experience. GS-9 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one-year specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 in the Federal service.
For this position, specialized experience includes the following: performing intermediate level computer engineering tasks such as performing segments of computer engineering projects involving design, analysis, integration, and test of computer/embedded hardware and/or related interfaces.
OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as Computer Engineering.
OR A combination of education and experience. GS-11 Specialized Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 in the Federal service.
For this position, specialized experience includes the following: 1.
Designing, analyzing, and evaluating computer hardware systems, embedded processors, digital logic circuits, and interface components using established engineering principle 2.
Conducting engineering studies involving hardware/software interface issues and system performance optimization.
OR Education: Have 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR A combination of education and experience.
PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.
You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. *EDUCATION DOCUMENTATION-UNOFFICIAL OR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED.
CANDIDATES WHO DO NOT SUBMIT THEIR TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE DEEMED AS INELIGIBLE.* FOREIGN EDUCATION: To receive credit for education outside the U.S., you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S.
education programs.
SME Review At the time of application you are required to take an external skills-based assessment which is based upon government-wide recognized competencies and consistent with OPM Merit Hiring Plan requirements and the Chance to Compete Act.
Should you receive a passing score of 70 or higher, your application will be reviewed by subject matter experts to determine if you meet the OPM qualification requirements for this position.
GS-5 COMPETENCIES Oral communication Written communication GS-7 COMPETENCIES Oral communication Written communication Attention to detail GS-9 COMPETENCIES Oral communication Written communication Attention to detail GS-11 COMPETENCIES Oral communication Written communication Attention to detail Problem solving Major Duties:
This is a developmental position, and the incumbent is a member of the Federal Communications Commission developmental STEM Pathways Recent Graduate Program.
This position serves as a developmental professional Computer Engineer performing progressively responsible assignments involving the design, analysis, integration, testing, and evaluation of computer hardware systems, embedded systems, digital architectures, communications interfaces, and related technologies.
The incumbent performs conventional engineering assignments independently and assists higher-graded engineers on more complex projects. Work directly contributes to program and mission outcomes.
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