Computer Engineer, AST, Software Systems (Direct Hire)

NASA•Stennis Space Center — Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, MS, US• Full Time

Posted 6 hours ago• Software• Mechanical

Compensation

$89,508–$138,370/year

Job Description

Summary

As a Computer Engineer in the Office of Test Data and Information Management, an organizational element of the Engineering and Test Directorate, you will be a member of a team of highly skilled engineers responsible for the development and maintenance of software systems, applications, and solutions for a wide range of advanced aerospace data acquisition, control, and data management systems that support propulsion test activities.

Open & closing dates

03/16/2026 to 03/18/2026

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date.

Salary $89,508 to - $138,370 per year Pay scale & grade GS 12 - 13

Location

Duties

Duties described below are at the highest grade advertised. Duties assigned at lower grade levels will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity; duties will be commensurate with the grade of selected employee.
Design, develop, test, customize, integrate, and configure software solutions for configuration/information management and data acquisition while adhering to NASA software engineering requirements.
Analyze and develop solutions to streamline operations in support of propulsion test operations and the management of data and projects. Organize software release planning to define scope of work and timeline for each release.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop requirements and design innovative solutions. Leads sprint planning and monitors progress of team through each sprint cycle to meet software release goals.
Design and implement complex software integrations between SSC systems supporting propulsion test operations; determine system requirements, conduct technical evaluations, and establish integration approaches.
Determine deployment strategies for complex, mission-critical software systems; evaluate risks associated with upgrades and patches and ensure lifecycle and compliance documentation meets NASA engineering standards.
Resolve complex software anomalies across SSC systems by conducting root cause analyses, directing technical corrective actions through peer review processes, and advising management on system-level impacts and risk mitigation strategies.
Assess laboratory technical capabilities supporting software development and testing; identify resource gaps and recommend infrastructure improvements to ensure mission-critical system performance.
Determine integration approaches using industrial communication protocols; resolve complex interoperability issues affecting propulsion test systems.

Requirements

This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
This position may require a one-year probationary period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
You must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Position subject to pre-employment background investigation.

In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. 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.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

To qualify for GS-12, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level:

sting or maintaining software applications or data systems using National Instruments Labview and/or Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) Windchill or PTC ThingWorx platform, such as Windchill InfoEngine, Windchill REST API, or Windchill architecture, configuration, and setup;
Performing software development using National Instruments Labview, Java, JavaScript, JavaServer Pages (JSP) or other languages relevant to Windchill customization, and utilizing XML, SQL, and database technologies (e.g., Oracle, MySQL);
Utilizing Agile software development lifecycle and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) processes using software management tools, and integrating systems using Internet of Things (IoT) protocols such as OPC UA, MQTT, and REST APIs.

To qualify for GS-13, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level:

Designing and developing software applications or data management systems using National Instruments Labview and/or Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) Windchill or PTC ThingWorx platform, such as Windchill InfoEngine, Windchill REST API, or Windchill architecture, configuration, and setup;
Performing design work, development, testing and deployment of software applications or relational databases using National Instruments Labview, Java, JavaScript, JavaServer Pages (JSP) or other languages relevant to Windchill customization, and utilizing XML, SQL, and database technologies (e.g., Oracle, MySQL);
Applying Agile software development lifecycle or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) processes using software management tools, and/or integrating systems using Internet of Things (IoT) protocols such as OPC UA, MQTT, and REST APIs.

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.

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following:
a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs
b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science
c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations.

If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above.

Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position.

Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org.

Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/.

Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: 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 private organization 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, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

Evaluation

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

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:

Computer Languages
Configuration Management
Information Management
Software Development
Systems Integration
Data Systems and Technology
Flight and Ground Data 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].

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: . Your resume should describe your specialized experience and support your answers to the vacancy announcement questionnaire. If you are using a Curriculum Vitae (CV) as a resume, it must meet all requirements listed above for a complete resume package.

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
Transcript

As listed in the Education section above, this position has a basic education requirement.

To be found qualified, you must provide a copy of your college transcript that fully demonstrates you meet the requirements listed in the Education section. You may provide either an unofficial transcript or a copy of an official transcript. Failure to provide a complete copy of your college transcript that shows you have completed a required degree program or coursework may result in you being found not qualified.

You may need to submit other supporting documents (licenses, certification, veterans' preference information, etc.), based on your answers to the application questionnaire. When you apply, please verify you submit the appropriate documents. 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.