Summary The successful candidate for the General Engineer/Physical Scientist (QA position) will provide quality assurance technical expertise on all aspects of nuclear weapons components at a DOE Research and Production Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM.
Duties
As a General Engineer/ Physical Scientist (QA) you will:
- Conduct and review quality assurance surveys to analyze the results and recommendations for appropriate corrective actions or improvements in the quality control program and manufacturing processes and establish new or improved techniques for evaluating the contractor's quality program. Monitor and appraise new weapon systems in the development phase to determine what quality controls are needed and what components require a QAIP and the appropriate survey coverage. Ensure QAIP coverage and /or assists in the development of new QAIPs. Review the QAlP's for the Site Office for accuracy submits for approval.
- Analyze unique and complex engineering problems related to the principles of precision machining and measurements: metallurgy, production processes: Electro-mechanical devices: electronic assemblies, radio frequency [RF] assembly and test procedures, rubber, plastics: and polymeric materials: and/or test equipment design in order to evaluate the adequacy of the contractor's control over quality, and to assist weapons quality staff in determining the seriousness and resolution of identified quality problems in products or processes.
- At times, represent the Quality Assurance [QA] program management and/or the Site Office: at conferences and meetings with the contractor, NNSA weapon design laboratories: other contractors and other Site Offices to exchange information to participate in problem resolution and to remain current on changes occurring in assigned areas of responsibility. Attend program review meeting design reviews, etc. to monitor preproduction progress, product/process qualification, and impact on NNSA Quality Assurance [QA] planning.
- Utilize quality assurance and quality control methods, principles, practices and associated costs sufficient to evaluate the adequacy of, and need for, improvements in the contractor's program for economically assuring quality of a variety of highly complex plastic, Chemical, explosive, mechanical, electrical: and electro-mechanical components, subassemblies and assemblies of nuclear weapons.
Qualifications
EN-03: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., EN-00 or GS-11. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in quality assurance engineering for nuclear and non-nuclear weapons components, adept at applying DOE and Technical Business Practices to evaluate product and production quality, and proficient in conducting receipt inspections and addressing non-conformances to ensure stringent compliance and reliability.
Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to:
- Experience using quality assurance and quality control methods, principles, practices and associated costs sufficiently to evaluate the adequacy of, and need for, improvements in the contractor's program for economically assuring quality of a variety of highly complex plastic, chemical, explosive, mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical components, subassemblies and assemblies of nuclear weapons.
- Experience preparing written and/or oral reports, program status findings and evaluations, briefings, and/or statistical data regarding assigned program areas as required or needed.
EN-04: A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., EN/NN-03 or GS-13. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in quality assurance engineering for nuclear and non-nuclear weapons components, with a track record of meticulously monitoring and investigating complex electrical, electronic, mechanical, and electro-mechanical systems to ensure compliance with stringent quality requirements and drive continuous improvement in production processes.
Examples of qualifying experience include but are not limited to:
- Experience using quality assurance and quality control methods, principles, practices and associated costs sufficiently1et to evaluate the adequacy of, .and need for, improvements in the contractor's program for economically assuring quality of a variety of highly complex plastic, chemical, explosive, mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical components, subassemblies and assemblies of nuclear weapons.
- Experience in and knowledge of NNSA security programs and procedures, environmental safety and health programs, procedures and laws, fabrication techniques, equipment, materials, special processes and product characterizations, and the interrelationships to other functional areas and to other programs/projects involved in related activities sufficient to evaluate the adequacy of the programs/projects contractor's control over quality and to select criteria for government inspection.
- Experience in managing a directive process to include communicating reporting requirements, and setting organizational directives (requirements, responsibilities, and procedures).
Your application and resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the KSAs identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application!
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education Engineering Series, 0800:Basic Requirements: A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following: 1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. 2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional.
Physical Science Series, 1301:Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
EDUCATION: Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
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.
**If you are selected, official transcripts will be required.
**FOREIGN EDUCATION: Applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the U.S. must have their foreign education evaluated by an accredited organization to ensure that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. A written evaluation of any foreign education must be provided with your application in response to this vacancy announcement or be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to provide this evaluation will result in you being found unqualified for the position. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education, see the Department of Education website, and for a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, visit The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Please Note: If your foreign education has already been accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution as part of a degree program with that institution, you do not need to provide an evaluation of foreign education but must submit a copy of the transcripts listing the degree from the U.S. accredited institution that accepted your foreign 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.
Requirements
- Subject to Random Drug Testing
- Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
- Favorable suitability determination required.
- Financial Disclosure is required.
- Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
- Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
- A two (2) year trial period may be required. Employees serving on a trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
- More than one position may be filled from this vacancy announcement.
- Must be able to obtain certification in the DOE's Technical Qualification Program (TQP) within 18 months of start date. This position is covered by the Technical Qualification Program (TQP), which requires the incumbent to acquire and demonstrate competencies identified in the TQP Functional Area Qualification and Field Office specific standards and requires certification of the competencies by NNSA supervision and TQP qualifying officials. https://ntc.doe.gov/student/stp/techqualprogram
- Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.
Trial periods are required for all excepted service employees. Trial periods served in the same position and agency with no break in service will satisfy the requirement.How you will be evaluated Your application will be rated by our application system using the Self-Assessment Rating procedure.
THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE IN TWO STAGES:
Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.
Structured Resume Review: The Human Resources Office/Subject Matter Expert will review the first two pages of your resume to determine your technical qualifications.
Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.
Your application and resume shall demonstrate that you possess the following Competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the Competencies identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.
To preview the application questionnaire, click the link below.
https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13103769 How to apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
The application process is as follows:
- You must have a login.gov account to sign into USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/account/.
- To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
- You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.Other information
- Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
- If you believe that you are eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), please visit the OPM ICTAP/CTAP website for more information. In order to be considered under the ICTAP program, your application must score within the pre-established "well qualified" category as stated in the Qualifications section.
- More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
- All positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
- All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
- In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
- This position is in the excepted service and has been identified as potentially meeting the requirements of Schedule Policy/Career. If it is determined that the position meets these requirements, its designation will be updated to Schedule Policy/Career within the excepted service. Any employee occupying the position under Schedule Policy/Career will have limited appeal rights. If you are selected and DOE designates the position as "Schedule Policy/Career," you will be informed of this decision in writing and provided with additional information. This designation/determination is not appealable.
EEO Policy: Click HERE.
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Click HERE.
Veterans Information: Click HERE.
Telework: Click HERE.
Selective Service Registration: Click HERE