Computer Scientist

Federal Aviation Administration •

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

Position Type: Contractor

Job Description:

This position is located at the William J. Hughes Technical Center (ANG-E); Laboratory Services Division (ANG-E1); Simulation Branch (ANG-E16); Cockpit Simulation Facility (ANG-E16).

The Cockpit Simulation Facility (CSF) operates a set of high-fidelity aircraft simulators that are used by clients for human-in-the-loop research studies to test emerging technologies and procedures for the National Airspace System (NAS).

Duties

This position serves as a Computer Scientist within the Laboratory Services Division, Simulation Branch, Cockpit Simulation Facility (CSF) Section ANG-E16. Acts as the network administrator for the CSF.

The CSF supports multiple research studies each year. Past studies have included multiple Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) research topics, PEGASAS general aviation research topics, rotorcraft safety research topics, multiple Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) research topics, Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS) research topics, and unique electronic flight bag (EFB) research applications.

Prepares and conducts simulations in accordance with customer requirements, provides input to test plans, procedures, and reports. Requires the use of professional software development and configuration methods and practices to develop robust software modules, which are traceable to design standards, and are testable at the module interface. Interfaces avionics to aircraft simulator subsystems. Conducts or witnesses tests, gathers/analyzes data, and assists with laboratory setup and operation.

Performs varying assignments to facilitate completion of certain projects within the organization and to increase employee knowledge of all facets of work related to the teams mission. Independently performs a variety of tasks such as: developing interfaces used in aircraft simulation systems; developing hardware and software solutions that enable aircraft components and system simulation. Designs and develops software solutions for aircraft simulation components such as: electronic flight bags, radio components, flight display units, and data collection models. Leads the development and integration of virtual radio software that supports voice communications within the cockpit simulator and connecting external facilities within the distributed environment. Responsible for testing and debugging existing software modules and tools necessary for analyzing specific problems and issues.

Responsible for ensuring the correct configuration of network devices at the CSF. Develops methods/procedures and coordinates corrective action to optimize network performance. Researches, tests, and evaluates software packages that provide performance measurements of the networks. Develops the standard configuration software loads for all network devices. Develops benchmarks, performance measurements, and evaluation data to manage network servers and data communication devices to support normal and surge workloads. Works with technical support personnel in resolving critical problems. Uses remote management software tools to
maintain and update configuration, protocol, and user/system files.

Acts as network administrator responsible for configuring switches, monitoring network performance, performing network diagnostics, analyzing network traffic patterns, and installing network software fixes and upgrades. Conducts performance tuning activities designed to optimize data management processes and recommends performance enhancements such as increasing storage capacity or modifying interfaces.

Ensures that the facility follows current cyber security guidelines and policies. Plans, assists, develops, and implements security policies and procedures. Maintains the data confidentiality, integrity, and availability of networks within the CSF.

Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/ program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. May act as a contributing specialist on large work activities or as a team leader for single or small work activities. Applies experience and advanced technical knowledge applicable to computer science to accomplish assignments and develop plans and techniques.

Defines, plans, and organizes assigned resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish small work activities within established schedules.

Job Requirements:
Requirements Conditions of Employment

US Citizenship is required.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must submit an SF50 (See Required Documents)
This position has a positive education requirement. Transcript(s) required.

Qualifications

To view the complete OPM qualification standard for the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Computer Science Series 1550, please refer to:

Computer Science Series 1550 (opm.gov)

Basic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.

To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H, FG/GS 12. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

Specialized Experience Includes: Experience with the networking environment of a cockpit simulator facility to include experience with real-time human-in-the-loop aviation simulator systems.

Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement.

The selecting official may decide to interview all, some or none of the candidates referred for consideration.

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.

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

Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50)

Only supplemental documentation, e.g. transcripts or veteran's documentation will be accepted in combination with your on-line application. These documents must be uploaded or email to danielle.c.long@faa.gov on or before the closing date of this announcement. All submitted documents should reference the announcement number.

Applicants claiming eligibility for the Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO), MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date.
This position has a positive education requirement; college transcripts are required for ALL candidates newly appointed to the FAA in the 1550 series.

College transcripts must be submitted from current FAA employees applying for internal vacancies if they have never held a position in the 1550 series with the FAA.

College transcripts are not required from current FAA employees who are currently occupying a 1550 series.

If selected, official transcripts are required prior to employment.

If you are a current or former Federal employee (including a current FAA employee), you MUST provide a copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) containing information in Blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 so it can be used to verify your position title, series, grade, tenure, and organization of record by the closing date of the announcement. You may fax your SF-50 or upload it into the on-line application. If faxing the SF-50, please ensure you include the vacancy announcement number on the faxed copy.

If you are a current Federal employee and need a current copy of your SF-50, please contact your personnel office. If you are an FAA employee, you can access and print your SF-50 from the eOPF system https://eopf.opm.gov/dot/. If you are a former Federal employee, you can obtain a copy of your SF-50 by writing the National Personnel Records Center Annex, 1411 Boulder Boulevard, Valmeyer, IL 62295. Additional information is available from this link: https://www.archives.gov/st-louis/opf.

Expanded Veterans Hiring Opportunity (EVHO) are preference eligibles and veterans who are honorably discharged from the Armed Forces after completing at least three (3) years of continuous active service. Applicants claiming eligibility for EVHO, MUST submit a DD Form 214 reflecting character of service to verify eligibility by the closing date of the announcement as requested by the Human Resource Office. Eligibility for EVHO will be considered based on applicable documentation submitted by the closing date.

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.

Salary Range: $119,505 - $185,268

Job Ident #: 788869800

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Computer Scientist

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