Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor for Aircraft Computer Software Job in FAA Location Negotiable Upon Request - See Additional Info

Vacancy No. EXE-AVS-24-3-92585 Department Federal Aviation Administration
Salary $141,700.00 to $208,100.00 Grade 03 to 03
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/10/2024 Close Date 11/8/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
FAA Location Negotiable Upon Request - See Additional Info


Summary

The Senior Technical Experts Program (STEP) is an agency-wide, mission-critical resource providing the FAA with the world-class expertise to foster advances in aviation operations, technology, and training. STEP supports all aspects of the Aviation Safety mission, including standards development, certification, continued operational safety, and policy-making.

Duties

The Chief Scientist and Technical Advisor (CSTA) for Aircraft Computer Software is one of a cadre of nationally and internationally recognized technical experts comprising the AVS STEP. The CSTA for Aircraft Computer Software provides an FAA-wide, mission-critical, leadership role in identifying and mitigating aviation safety risk related to aircraft-based computer software. This technical expert works to evaluate the readiness of innovations in software development and integration, shape agency policies, and promote the adoption of safety-enhancing requirements and practices into the FAA’s regulatory, certification, and oversight programs. This CSTA works to retain and broaden U.S. leadership in research and knowledge related to software techniques involving software reliability, software metrics, software verification, operating system theory, software assurance techniques, software verification and development tool technology, concurrent systems, real-time computing systems, computer operation, mathematical proof of correctness, partitioning theory, and safety analysis of software-based systems and their application in aircraft certification.

Specific responsibilities include:

  • Serves as a senior AVS advisor, providing scientific and engineering expertise and assistance to the relevant stakeholders working to enhance aviation safety, efficiency, and innovation. The incumbent provides expert advice and assistance to AVS managers and leaders, type certification boards, airworthiness directive boards, maintenance review boards, flight operation evaluation boards, special certification review teams, accident investigation teams, and special condition standards review activities.
  • Plans, directs, promotes, and coordinates research, review and the publication of scientific papers intended to evaluate new technologies, address service difficulties, and promote FAA adoption of safety-enhancing policies and practices.
  • Prepares and/or provides technical education and training to the FAA, industry, associations, foreign airworthiness certification authorities, and international organizations through certification projects, training courses, seminars, and workshops.
  • Represents the FAA in dealings with other civil aviation authorities, national and international forums, industry committees, and task groups on work to mitigate safety risk related to aircraft computer software. Coordinates regulatory initiatives related to aircraft computer software with foreign airworthiness authorities to provide harmonized requirements and consensus standards to expedite and reduce the cost of international certification to the aviation industry.
  • Supports industry and government in the investigation of accidents or incidents where aircraft computer software is thought to have played a role. Collaborates with the National Transportation Safety Board and foreign entities by applying expertise in determining causal factors; identifying shortcomings in policy, technology, or practices; and recommending remedial actions to prevent or reduce the probability of such accidents or incidents in the future.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • US Citizenship is required.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Designated or Random Drug Testing required.
  • This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the FAA Executive System, you must provide evidence of progressively responsible leadership experience that is indicative of senior executive level capability; and that is directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under the Technical Requirements listed below.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following have been determined to be selective factors for this position. This means possession of these criteria is part of the minimum qualifications and is essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of this position. Applicants who do not possess these criteria are ineligible for further consideration.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT: Demonstrated expertise in the field of software techniques and their application in aircraft certification, particularly with respect to software reliability, software metrics, software verification, operating system theory, software assurance techniques, software verification and development tool technology, concurrent systems, real-time computing systems, computer operation, mathematical proof of correctness, partitioning theory, and safety analysis of software-based systems.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT: Demonstrated experience managing projects or programs involving the identification and mitigation of aviation safety risk related to aircraft-based computer software.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT:Demonstrated ability to serve as an effective spokesperson and represent a high-profile organization with global regulatory authorities, national and international industry bodies, manufacturers, research organizations, academia, and the public on work to mitigate safety risk related to aircraft-based computer software.

Education

This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page).

Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration.

Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered.

The specific education requirements for this position are outlined at the following website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf. An excerpt of the requirements is below:

A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
  3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
  4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

Note: An applicant who meets the basic requirements as specified in A or B above, except as noted under B.1., may qualify for positions in any branch of engineering unless selective factors indicate otherwise.

Preview Job Questionnaire

Make sure your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications and answers to the job questionnaire.

Additional information

Position may be subject to a background investigation.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System.

The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family.

This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.

The Hiring Official and selectee will negotiate the FAA duty location. This is not a remote position.

This is not a bargaining unit position.

Links to Important Information: Locality Pay, COLA

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.



IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.

Required Documents

1. A resume that does not exceed five (5) pages. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. The resume must provide evidence (such as related professional experience and accomplishments) that demonstrates you possess the technical requirements.

2. An SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, if you are claiming noncompetitive eligibility as a current/former FAA Executive or current/former member of the Senior Executive Service or equivalent system.

3. A Senior Executive Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) certificate if you are claiming noncompetitive status based on your completion of an SESCDP program.

Note: Please do not submit additional materials (e.g. DD Form 214, performance plans/evaluations, letters of recommendation) as they will not be considered as part of the application package.



This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 0800 (Engineering) series.

College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 0800 (Engineering) series with the FAA.

College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying an 0800 (Engineering) series.

If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME ONLY. Your five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the technical requirements. Uploaded resumes must be submitted in Word (or Word compatible) or PDF format.


You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must be submitted at the time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with a register.

SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) graduates should submit a copy of their CDP program certification with their package.

Agency contact information

Shara DeMarco
Phone
1 (609) 485-9932
Fax
1 (202) 267-5748
Email
shara.m.demarco@faa.gov
Address
Federal Aviation Administration
Executive Resources Division
800 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 523
AHR-200
Washington, DC 20591
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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