Engineering Technician (Direct Hire)

NASA•California, MD 20636, US• Full Time

Posted 1 day ago• Technician• Mechanical

Compensation

$87,061–$113,185/year

Job Description

Summary

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.

Open & closing dates

03/13/2026 to 03/23/2026

Salary $87,061 to - $113,185 per year Pay scale & grade GS 11

Location

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.

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.
If selected, you will be required to obtain and maintain License and/or Certification: Airframe and Powerplant Licenses within 24 months.

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.

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:

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].

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.