Electronics Technician (Direct Hire)

NASA•California, MD 20636, US• Full Time

Posted 2 days ago• Electrical• Mechanical

Compensation

$79,240–$113,185/year

Job Description

Summary

As an Avionics and Instrumentation Technician, you will play a crucial role in supporting NASA's aeronautics, research, and science missions. Your primary purpose is to oversee the design, development, and maintenance of avionic systems on Armstrong Flight Research Centers diverse aircraft fleet. Your role involves providing support on avionics and instrumentation systems, ensuring compliance with NASA standards, and working with a team of aircraft engineering technicians.

Open & closing dates

02/27/2026 to 03/03/2026

Salary $79,240 to - $113,185 per year Pay scale & grade GS 10 - 11

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.
Test, troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and service aircraft avionics, electrical, and instrumentation systems in compliance with manufacturer maintenance manuals, Technical Orders, schematics, and engineering instruction.
Provide support during aircraft launch and recovery; perform thorough pre-, thru-, and post-flight inspections; and diagnose/resolve complex avionics discrepancies to ensure all systems meet safety and operational standards prior to flight.
Fabricate electrical wiring harnesses, components, and instrumentation systems with precision by reading and interpreting aircraft electrical blueprints, drawings, planning documents, technical publications, and engineering procedures.
Diagnose and troubleshoot electrical and electronic malfunctions using specialized tools and advanced diagnostic equipment, performing complex assignments with minimal technical guidance and ensuring compliance with technical standards.
Maintain accurate documentation of repairs, inspections, and modifications performed on aircraft systems. Verify that records reflect proper configuration control, traceability of components, and adherence to safety and airworthiness requirements.
Support engineers in performing experiments, research, and development activities requiring an in-depth knowledge of technical engineering methods, applications, practices, and principles to work on concepts and experimental projects.

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/trial 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 security investigation.
This position requires the incumbent have the following current License and/or Certification: obtain and maintain a valid state driver's license, CPR, and vision per NASA-STD-8739.6.
This position requires the incumbent to have successfully completed a Class II - Flight Physical.
This position requires working from elevated surfaces, in confined spaces and extreme weather conditions, in areas with poor lighting, and lifting up to 50 lbs unassisted, and being stationary for long periods.

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-10, you must have one year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service:

Identifying discrepancies on aircraft using avionics test equipment;
Assisting with electrical modifications on aircraft or research equipment.

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:

Assisting with troubleshooting avionics discrepancies on aircraft by utilizing test equipment and interpreting wiring diagrams;
Supporting fabrication of electrical modifications on aircraft or research equipment by using wiring diagrams;
Supporting flightline operations during aircraft launch and recovery.

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.

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

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:

Avionics
Eye-Hand Coordination
Flight and Ground Data Systems
Problem Solving

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.

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.