General Engineer (Open to both U.S. Citizens and Federal Employees)

Full Job Description

The position serves as a technical expert within one of three divisions of the Office of Automation Safety: Automation Standards (NRM410), Automation Exemptions (NRM420), and Special Programs (NRM430).

These divisions work closely to plan, initiate, coordinate, and lead a regulatory program for the safe governance of vehicles equipped with automated technologies by: developing and maintaining standards and regulations; managing exemption mechanisms; and creating and overseeing special programs To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 12, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience planning and working on mechanical, electrical, software, and/or other engineering programs.

Experience communicating technical project information in a structured manner on a regular basis or as required by specific project needs.

To qualify for the Grade 13, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12, it must include: Experience planning and working on mechanical, electrical, software, and/or other engineering programs related to vehicles, automation, or safety.

Experience in coordinating a technical project with other team members.

Experience communicating technical information through briefings, reports, or other structured means on a regular basis or as required by specific project needs.

To qualify for the Grade 14, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-13, it must include: Experience planning, initiating, and leading mechanical, electrical, software, and/or other engineering programs related to vehicles, automation, or safety.

Experience independently leading technical projects and communicating directly with organizational leadership for specific engineering project needs.

Experience identifying, analyzing, and presenting multiple strategic options and implementing the selected strategy, such as product design or regulatory approach alternatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Systems Engineering: Knowledge in any of the following areas: systems engineering, vehicle automation, product and software development, safety management methods and systems, hazard analysis, risk assessment, safety validation methodologies, or related fields.

Communication: Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, so that the expression is logical, clear, and convincing.

Leading Technical Projects: Ability to lead a technical project or initiate and develop a technical program.

Technical Decision Support: Ability to apply technical skills to lead projects requiring complex solutions stemming from either a multidisciplinary scope, an obscure technical subject matter, or consideration and management of multiple differing stakeholder interests.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to 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.

For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 All applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Major Duties:

The General Engineer: Contributes to/leads the planning, initiation, drafting, and coordination of a comprehensive regulatory program for the safe governance of both light and heavy vehicles equipped with automated technologies.

Conducts and/or leads independent reviews and analyses identifying research needs as required to ensure that the methodologies and guidelines related to automated technology standards, exemptions, or special programs are practicable and reasonable.

Monitors and reviews activities, results of research, and analyses conducted by entities both within and outside NHTSA.

Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of the state-of-the-art in such areas as automated vehicle safety, capability, sensor technology, deployments, and regulations and evaluates the applicability of such knowledge to NHTSA's activities.

Manages and coordinates technical review of exemption applications that may include an analysis of material submitted, a search and survey of relevant information available to the agency, and the collection of additional information.

Recommends the grant or denial of applications and, upon approval of recommendations, drafts and coordinates the necessary documentation.

Conceives, develops, and coordinates programs that respond to potential or emerging challenges related to vehicle automation.

Creates detailed approaches, descriptions, and analysis methods within these programs and utilizing associated data to further the identification and understanding of proposed solutions to safety problems.

The ideal candidate: NHTSA is looking for an employee who possesses the ability to lead and contribute to multidisciplinary group projects, has excellent written and oral communication skills, and has expert technical experience with automated vehicle systems or related fields, particularly in relation to safety.