Technical Fellow Cryogenics Job in NASA - United States Locations

Vacancy No. LaRC-25-ST-12634888 Department Langley Research Center
Salary $147,649.00 to $211,583.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/10/2024 Close Date 1/7/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
NASA - United States Locations


Summary

The Cryogenics Technical Fellow is a member of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) and provides Agency-wide leadership in cryogenics in support of the Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE). The incumbent provides technical expertise to the Agency for addressing technical issues related to cryogenic system development and operation.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Notice of opportunity for receipt of applications for Scientific and Professional (ST) position.

Duties

The Technical Fellow Cryogenics:

  • Provides the necessary expertise to address technical issues related to cryogenic system development and operation. This discipline encompasses the properties, production, and storage of cryogens used in vehicle propulsion, life support, electrical power generation, and other flight applications. Cryocoolers, cryogenic fluid fittings (Quick Disconnects (QD's) and mechanical fittings), cryogenic testing and chemical analysis, and zero-g cryogenic fluid properties and control (two-phase transport, wetting phenomenon, surface tension, evaporant processes, condensation, and micro-gravity fluid separation) are under the purview of this discipline. The incumbent frequently leads teams, always providing the theoretical foundation for the task.
  • Is an Agency resource on fundamental engineering theory and operational experience in the discipline. Frequently leads teams and always providing the theoretical foundation for the task. Collaborates with other eminent researchers and engineers from academia and other research or operations centers on tasks; and in conducting and sponsoring discipline advancing work. Communicates engineering findings through NASA publications, scientific and engineering journals, tutorial seminars, and short courses as part of the NESC Academy and at universities in the US and abroad, and is an invited presenter at national and international meetings and conferences. Also, fosters participation in engineering academies.
  • Serves as the senior technical expert in the discipline and provides the technical leadership of the NESC technical resources to perform independent technical reviews and is a national/international expert in the discipline. Responsible for establishing a Technical Discipline Team (TDT) consisting of the Agency's best experts in the particular discipline, augmented by industry, national laboratories, university and Department of Defense experts as required. Provides stewardship for the discipline. Periodically reports the state of the discipline to the leadership of the Agency. Assembles a living catalogue of critical skills and facilities available for their discipline. Ensures consistency is maintained with creation and maintenance of Agency-level standards and specifications, including "core" standards. Ensures lessons learned are identified and incorporated into the standards process. In addition, dispositions major and/or complex waivers and deviations in the discipline. Also serves as a voting member of the NESC Review Board.
  • Fosters and continually drives a culture of engagement, diversity, inclusiveness, excellence, and innovation within and outside of the organization and NASA. Champions the Agency's commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) and creates an environment and culture that promotes and enables the Agency's commitment to safety, inclusion, integrity, teamwork, and excellence.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report' (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
  • Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
  • Successful completion of pre-employment and random drug screening may be required.
  • Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess expert knowledge and at least 3 years of directly related specialized experience in cryogenic system development and operation, sub-disciplines, in areas such as: The properties, production, and storage of cryogens used in vehicle propulsion, life support, electrical power generation, and other flight applications. Cryocoolers, cryogenic fluid fittings (Quick Disconnects (QD's) and mechanical fittings), cryogenic testing and chemical analysis, and zero-g cryogenic fluid properties and control (two-phase transport, wetting phenomenon, surface tension, evaporant processes, condensation, and micro-gravity fluid separation). At least 1 year of this experience must have been in planning and executing difficult programs of national significance or planning and executing specialized programs that show outstanding attainments in the field of research or consultation. At least 1 year of the directly related specialized experience must be at least equivalent to experience at the GS-15 level.

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.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you MUST address each Scientific or Professional (ST) Evaluation Criteria separately not to exceed a total of ten (10) pages. If you fail to do so, your application will be rated ineligible. Please cite experience directly related to the specialized experience requirements (outlined above) when addressing the ST evaluation criteria #2 (Technical Excellence and Contributions) and ST evaluation criteria #5 (Corporate Cooperation and Technical Leadership Skills). For the full definition of the ST Evaluation Criteria and Process please click here. Please include your full name on all documents submitted.

ST EVALUATION CRITERIA:

1. Education Level and Training

2. Technical Excellence and Contributions

a. Experience/Accomplishments
b. Technical and Strategic Problem Solving
c. Publications and Information Transfer

3. Awards and Recognition

4. Outside Professional Activities

5. Corporate Cooperation and Technical Leadership Skills

Education

This position has a positive education requirement. To be eligible, you must clearly state in your resume the following: degree, major and/or minor, and college/university.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a credential evaluation service that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, click here.

Additional information

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance.

NASA may discuss and consider candidate duty station location after selection, which means that the duties can be performed at any NASA location. The selected candidate will need to relocate and report to an on-site NASA location or duty station, which may be different from where he/she currently resides.

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.

All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement. You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applicants that meet minimum eligibility requirements outlined in the Qualifications and Education (if applicable) sections of the vacancy announcement will be referred to a panel of subject matter experts for further evaluation. The panel reviews the resumes and responses to the ST evaluation criteria as related to the specialized experience for this position. The panel evaluates the candidates' experience against each ST criterion. Candidates may receive an interview for further evaluation and/or be asked to provide a list of references. The panel will make a recommendation to the appropriate approving authority.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete application package. If you do not provide all required information, you will not be considered for this position. Only provide the following:

1. Resume showing relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry. Limit your resume to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

2. ST Evaluation Criteria narrative responses. Limit your responses to 10 pages. If more than 10 pages are submitted, only the first 10 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

You may be asked to provide additional documentation to support your eligibility and the information provided in your application package. For example, we may request transcripts, SF-50s, etc. Therefore, we encourage you to have these documents prepared and ready when requested by the agency. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, we may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

NASA's online application process provides step by step guidance to ensure you provide all needed information. If you are unable to apply online, please contact for assistance. Faxed, emailed, and/or mailed application materials will not be accepted for this announcement.

NASA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you are an applicant with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact center listed on the job vacancy announcement. The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis.

Agency contact information

NASA Executive Staffing
Address
Langley Research Center
1 NASA Dr
Hampton, VA 23666
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Although you may or may not be contacted during the selection process, we will always advise you about the outcome of the announcement. If you have questions, please feel free to contact NASA Executive Staffing at Agency-Executive-Staffing@mail.nasa.gov.


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