Electronics Engineer

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Air Traffic Organization, Technical Operations Service Unit, Operations Support Directorate, Spectrum Engineering Services Group, Spectrum Engineering Service Area Team, AJW-1910.

This team manages and protects the radio frequency spectrum that supports the safe and efficient operation of the National Airspace System (NAS).

To qualify for this position at the H band level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-G, FG/GS-5/7/9 level.

This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as: Experience performing engineering testing of frequencies, bandwidths, emissions, and equipment to provide data analysis for use in identifying and resolving problems.

To qualify for this position at I band level, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H, FG/GS-11/12 level.

This experience is typically related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been at least equivalent to the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Specialized experience is defined as: Experience assisting in developing processes and analyses to determine radio coverage of communication, navigation and/or surveillance (CNS) systems.

You should include relevant examples of the specialized experience in your work history. Errors or omissions may impact your rating or may result in you not being considered.

Answer all questions to the best of your ability. DO NOT ASSUME THAT BECAUSE YOU HOLD, OR HAVE HELD THIS POSITION, YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FOUND ELIGIBLE.

You may be asked to provide evidence or documentation that you have this type of experience later in the selection process.

Your responses are subject to verification through job interviews, or any other information obtained during the application process.

Any exaggeration of your experience or any attempt to conceal information can result in disqualification.

Applicants who fail to demonstrate possession of any of the above criteria AND who do not provide the required documentation will receive no further consideration for this position.

Applicants may be asked to verify information on your application for employment with the FAA. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. Major Duties:

Duties at the H band: Applies experience and detailed knowledge of electronics engineering and electromagnetic theory, concepts and principles as it relates to electronic circuits, radio frequency propagation, equipment to test and analyze radio frequencies and federal and non-federal spectrum engineering to plan and accomplish work.

Performs a mixture of routine and multiple and varying assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/ program manager, team leader, or more experienced engineer.

Applies electromagnetic theory and experience in electronics engineering along with knowledge of federal and non federal spectrum engineering and management policies and best practices to identify and resolve radio frequency assignment issues and to engineer frequencies for complex NAS systems and ensures that the government policy for frequency engineering is met.

Performs Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) analyses of transmitter construction proposals, as such analysis is used to ensure nonfederal users do not cause interference to critical aeronautical facilities and to establish frequency protection criteria for new evolving technology.

Works Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) problems with the guidance and direction from a more experienced engineer or manager.

Duties at the I band: The Electronics Engineer applies experience and advanced knowledge of electronics engineering and electromagnetic theory, concepts, and principles related to radio frequency propagation and protection, including the development of processes and criteria to ensure the coexistence between federal and non-Federal spectrum users without degradation of National Airspace System (NAS) services.

Performs multiple and varying assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project program manager and/or team leader.

Applies knowledge of Federal and non-Federal spectrum engineering and management policies, regulation, and best practices to identify and analyze radio frequency issues for complex NAS systems and ensures that government policy for frequency engineering is met.

Acts as the Spectrum Engineer Office's key technical point of contact for all the Spectrum coordination associated with noncooperative radars.

Performs Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) analyses to federal and non-federal frequency coordination requests to ensure new or existing spectrum users will not cause interference or degradation to critical communication, navigation and/or surveillance (CNS) aeronautical facilities and to establish frequency protection criteria for new evolving technology.

Applies knowledge of spectrum engineering criteria and guidelines to assist in the development of continuity training and standard operational procedure (SOP) with the engineering principles used to protect the frequencies for NAS CNS systems.

Conducts engineering testing or analysis necessary to characterize the radio frequency response NAS systems and/or non-NAS systems to inform management of outcomes that may results in required changes to ensure an interfere-free environment for NAS CNS systems.

Conducts analysis to identify interference to CNS systems from new technologies or modification of existing technologies.

Works with more experienced engineer to ensure that frequency appropriate 5 or 10-year cycle, for the assigned bands meet all the Federal frequency management policies to maintain a license in the Government Master File (GMF); and ensure that external experimental or operational frequencies are reviewed following the established criteria and/or develop new criteria as needed.

Uses knowledge of frequency management tools and databases to assists in validating data sent to NTIA for frequency licensing and coordination of frequency usage of aviation frequencies by external entities.