Summary The Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE) provides independent technical oversight to ensure NASA missions are safe and reliable. As Engineering Technical Authority, Chief Engineers (CEs) manage technical risks, approve key design decisions, oversee systems integration, and support mission success. CEs work closely with Program Managers to align technical execution with program goals. This announcement will be used to fill 3 vacancies at NASA Centers; see "Additional Information" for details. Responsibilities This announcement will be used to fill three vacancies: Chief Engineer, Artemis; Chief Engineer, Science; and Chief Engineer, Space Reactor Division. The Chief Engineer: Serves as the Engineering Technical Authority (ETA), as delegated by the Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE), maintaining cognizance of technical decisions and standards that ensure the safe and reliable operation of systems. Coordinates multi-Center engineering efforts to support the assigned program and its associated Project Chief Engineers, ensuring technical excellence and implementation of ETA. Provides independent assessments of the safety, reliability, effectiveness, and efficiency of Agency investments and systems to ensure alignment with Agency policies and the achievement of National and Agency objectives. Reviews engineering and applicable standards as well as their application across program areas, conducting special reviews, studies, and evaluations to determine the technical quality and engineering soundness of program planning, execution, control, and management. Resolves technical and programmatic problems and issues with the program officials, referring problems and issues to the appropriate authority for adjudication when necessary. Reviews and approves waivers, deviations, and exceptions to NASA technical standards and specifications. Evaluates requests to depart from established requirements, ensuring that any changes do not compromise safety, reliability, or mission success. Identifies and recommends opportunities for major improvements through reinvention or re-engineering. Serves as the primary liaison with the Agency's Chief Engineer including programmatic representation and participation on the Agency's Engineering Management Board. Leads various Independent Program Assessment Teams, including teams with matrixed personnel to develop mission performance assessment products. Please see "Additional Information" for specifics about the positions and associated duty station locations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Candidates must be a recognized subject matter expert with at least one year of directly related experience equivalent to the GS-15 level, leading technical science or engineering teams and performing independent, in-depth technical assessments of flight hardware to identify, analyze, and mitigate technical risks across NASA programs and projects. 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 position. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process. To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, your resume must also address both Senior Level (SL) Evaluation Criteria listed below. Failure to address these criteria will result in your application being rated ineligible. SL EVALUATION CRITERIA: 1. Technical Competence and Leadership Led technical/discipline teams to advance or enable state-of-the-art solutions in science, engineering, or mission enabling functions. Developed or implemented innovative methodologies or technologies to solve complex scientific, engineering or mission enabling problems. Led or supported collaborative partnerships with industry, academic, or government organizations to advance scientific, engineering, or mission enabling technical capabilities at national or international levels. 2. Professional Contributions and Influence Leveraged expertise and integration skills to resolve technical/discipline challenges for complex systems. Demonstrated impact in technical discipline to solve issues or improve operational effectiveness. Chaired or presented at professional conference sessions or technical forums to share expertise and influence field development. Developed or mentored students or professional practitioners in scientific, engineering or mission enabling communities. Shared technical knowledge or innovations that were adopted by outside organizations with documented results. Please refer to the "How you will be evaluated" section for a list of competencies that you will be evaluated on. Education This position has a positive education requirement. To be eligible, you must clearly state in your resume the following: degree, major and/or minor, and college/university. A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page. An official transcript will be required if you are selected. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering, physical science, mathematics, life sciences, computer science, or other field of science. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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, click here. Additional Information This announcement will be used to fill three vacancies - Chief Engineer, Artemis; Chief Engineer, Science; and Chief Engineer, Space Reactor Division. You will be asked to select the position(s) you would like to be considered for during the application process in the questionnaire section. You must select at least one position and may select up to three. You will only be considered for the position(s) that you select. If selected, you are expected to perform the position on-site at one of the duty stations listed next to the position as stated below. Chief Engineer, Artemis: Duty Station will be at: Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), or Johnson Space Center (JSC). Chief Engineer, Science: Duty Station will be at: Headquarters (HQ) or Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Chief Engineer, Space Reactor Division: Duty Station will be at: Glenn Research Center (GRC) Candidate duty station location will be determined after selection for positions with multiple duty stations listed. The selected candidate may need to relocate and report to the NASA duty station, which may be different from where he/she currently resides.
