Federal
Engineering Technician (Direct Hire)
Armstrong Flight Research Center ยท National Aeronautics and Space Administration
About This Position
The Maintenance Division, Aircraft Maintenance Branch at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center is seeking a highly skilled Engineering Technician to support the Engine Shop in maintaining and repairing jet engines. The role involves performing troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, testing, and evaluation of complex aircraft systems, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of advanced flight vehicles.
Qualifications
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. To qualify for GS-11, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal service: Performing depot-level maintenance on jet engines and major modules; Investigating, diagnosing, and assisting with correcting complex engine malfunctions affecting airworthiness through the use of established procedures and guidelines, such as using schematics, fault isolation procedures, precision measurement tools, and performance data; AND Inspecting and repairing jet engine components such as compressors, turbines, fuel systems, or accessories, including the review and validation of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) results ensuring components meet tight tolerances. 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.
Major Duties
Perform advanced inspections and repairs on compressors, turbines, gearboxes, fuel systems, and accessory components, including coordinating or validating Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) results.
Diagnose complex mechanical and operational deficiencies using schematics, fault isolation guides, precision measurements, and performance data.
Disassemble, inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and reassemble jet engines and major modules in accordance with technical orders, manufacturer manuals, and depot-level procedures.
Set up, operate, and interpret results from engine test cells or functional test equipment to verify airworthiness and mission readiness.
Ensure strict compliance with safety, quality assurance, and regulatory standards, including documentation in maintenance tracking systems and adherence to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/Department of Defense (DoD) requirements.
Review, interpret, and apply Technical Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs), Maintenance Directives (MDs), Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and technical updates, ensuring required actions are incorporated into maintenance processes.
Recommend corrective actions and process improvements based on recurring defects, engineering changes, and reliability trends.
Accurately document maintenance actions, inspections, parts usage, and corrective actions in NASA Aircraft Management Information System (NAMIS), ensuring complete, timely, and regulatory-compliant maintenance records.
Diagnose complex mechanical and operational deficiencies using schematics, fault isolation guides, precision measurements, and performance data.
Disassemble, inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and reassemble jet engines and major modules in accordance with technical orders, manufacturer manuals, and depot-level procedures.
Set up, operate, and interpret results from engine test cells or functional test equipment to verify airworthiness and mission readiness.
Ensure strict compliance with safety, quality assurance, and regulatory standards, including documentation in maintenance tracking systems and adherence to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/Department of Defense (DoD) requirements.
Review, interpret, and apply Technical Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs), Maintenance Directives (MDs), Airworthiness Directives (ADs), and technical updates, ensuring required actions are incorporated into maintenance processes.
Recommend corrective actions and process improvements based on recurring defects, engineering changes, and reliability trends.
Accurately document maintenance actions, inspections, parts usage, and corrective actions in NASA Aircraft Management Information System (NAMIS), ensuring complete, timely, and regulatory-compliant maintenance records.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet. Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website. You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Attention to Detail Mechanics Technical Competence Mechanical Systems NASA considers 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. NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected].
Additional Information
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across NASA within the local commuting area(s) of the location(s) identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) within NASA. CTAP/ICTAP will be cleared for any additional selection from this announcement. If you have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must: - Indicate your eligibility when applying for a position. The questionnaire asks you to identify your ICTAP/CTAP eligibility. - Meet the minimum qualifications requirements for the position -Submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP as indicated in 'Required Documents' For additional information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, click here - https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/#ictap. Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit. Probationary/Trial Period You may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application and have all required information available. We encourage you to provide a complete description of your educational achievements and include both paid and non-paid work in the experience portion of your resume. If you submit a resume that does not contain the required information, you may lose consideration. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: To begin the application process, you will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application process. Once logged in to your account, click on the "Apply" link. Follow the prompts to select your resume (2 pages or fewer) and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Resumes longer than 2 pages will be rejected by the system. Resumes submitted via other document types will not be forwarded to the hiring manager, nor will they be used in the review of your qualifications. We strongly encourage you to utilize the USAJOBS resume builder when creating your resume. Using the resume builder will help you ensure your resume includes important information related to your qualifications and eligibility for this position. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. During the application process you can review, edit, delete and update your information. We'll automatically save your progress as you go, so you won't lose any changes. 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 vacancy questionnaire which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify all required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. 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 [email protected] for assistance. Be advised - application materials faxed, emailed, and/or mailed to Armstrong Flight Research Center 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.
Required Documents
All submitted resumes must not exceed two (2) pages in length. Resumes longer than two pages will be rejected by USAJOBS. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize including experience and relevant qualifications that directly align with the position advertised. All work experience and accomplishments must be associated with dates (month/year) to allow for accurate qualification assessment. A complete application package includes a resume, required documents and completion of the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please see this guidance: What to include in your resume. Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. Please note: if any of the following types of information are included on your resume, your application package will be disqualified: Classified or government sensitive information. Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents. If your resume contains any of the above information, you must redact that information prior to the submission of your application. The following documents are required: Resume There may be other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans preference, etc.), depending on your answers to the questionnaire and job announcement description, that you may have to submit, please verify your application. Do not submit an OF-306 with your application. If you are a surplus or displaced employee (CTAP and ICTAP), submit proof that you meet the requirements for CTAP/ICTAP. This includes copies of your agency notice, most recent Performance Rating and most recent Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Official documents are required at the time of appointment for verification of eligibility and qualifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Engineering Technician (Direct Hire) position at Armstrong Flight Research Center?
The salary range for this position is $87,061 - $113,185/yr. This is a GS-11 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Engineering Technician (Direct Hire) job located?
This position is located in Edwards AFB, California. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. To qualify for GS-11, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-10 level in the Federal ...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Feb 18, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
Yes, a Secret clearance is required.
What does GS-11 mean?
GS-11 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.