Summary This position is located at the William J. Hughes Technical Center (ANG-E); Laboratory Services Division (ANG-E1); Simulation Branch (ANG-E16); Cockpit Simulation Facility (ANG-E16). The Cockpit Simulation Facility (CSF) operates a set of high-fidelity aircraft simulators that are used by clients for human-in-the-loop research studies to test emerging technologies and procedures for the National Airspace System (NAS). Responsibilities This position serves as a Computer Scientist within the Laboratory Services Division, Simulation Branch, Cockpit Simulation Facility (CSF) Section ANG-E16. Acts as the network administrator for the CSF. The CSF supports multiple research studies each year. Past studies have included multiple Weather Technology in the Cockpit (WTIC) research topics, PEGASAS general aviation research topics, rotorcraft safety research topics, multiple Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) research topics, Terminal Sequencing and Spacing (TSAS) research topics, and unique electronic flight bag (EFB) research applications. Prepares and conducts simulations in accordance with customer requirements, provides input to test plans, procedures, and reports. Requires the use of professional software development and configuration methods and practices to develop robust software modules, which are traceable to design standards, and are testable at the module interface. Interfaces avionics to aircraft simulator subsystems. Conducts or witnesses tests, gathers/analyzes data, and assists with laboratory setup and operation. Performs varying assignments to facilitate completion of certain projects within the organization and to increase employee knowledge of all facets of work related to the team's mission. Independently performs a variety of tasks such as: developing interfaces used in aircraft simulation systems; developing hardware and software solutions that enable aircraft components and system simulation. Designs and develops software solutions for aircraft simulation components such as: electronic flight bags, radio components, flight display units, and data collection models. Leads the development and integration of virtual radio software that supports voice communications within the cockpit simulator and connecting external facilities within the distributed environment. Responsible for testing and debugging existing software modules and tools necessary for analyzing specific problems and issues. Responsible for ensuring the correct configuration of network devices at the CSF. Develops methods/procedures and coordinates corrective action to optimize network performance. Researches, tests, and evaluates software packages that provide performance measurements of the networks. Develops the standard configuration software loads for all network devices. Develops benchmarks, performance measurements, and evaluation data to manage network servers and data communication devices to support normal and surge workloads. Works with technical support personnel in resolving critical problems. Uses remote management software tools to maintain and update configuration, protocol, and user/system files. Acts as network administrator responsible for configuring switches, monitoring network performance, performing network diagnostics, analyzing network traffic patterns, and installing network software fixes and upgrades. Conducts performance tuning activities designed to optimize data management processes and recommends performance enhancements such as increasing storage capacity or modifying interfaces. Ensures that the facility follows current cyber security guidelines and policies. Plans, assists, develops, and implements security policies and procedures. Maintains the data confidentiality, integrity, and availability of networks within the CSF. Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the limited direction of a manager, project/ program manager, team leader, or more experienced technical specialist. May act as a contributing specialist on large work activities or as a team leader for single or small work activities. Applies experience and advanced technical knowledge applicable to computer science to accomplish assignments and develop plans and techniques. Defines, plans, and organizes assigned resources to accomplish organizational objectives. Allocates resources to accomplish small work activities within established schedules. Requirements Conditions of Employment We are not accepting applications from noncitizens. Qualifications To view the complete OPM qualification standard for the Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Computer Science Series 1550, please refer to: Computer Science Series 1550 (opm.gov) Basic Requirements: Bachelor's degree in computer science or bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have included any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and course work must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. To qualify for this position, you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV-H, FG/GS 12. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized Experience Includes: Experience with the networking environment of a cockpit simulator facility to include experience with real-time human-in-the-loop aviation simulator systems. Qualifications must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. The selecting official may decide to interview all, some or none of the candidates referred for consideration. Education This position has a positive education requirement: Applicants must submit a copy of their college or university transcripts(s) and certificates by the closing date of announcement to verify qualifications. If selected, an official transcript will be required prior to appointment. You may upload these documents with your application in USAJOBS or fax it to fax number provided in the announcement (please include announcement number on each page). Failure to do so will result in loss of consideration. Schools must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation may be verified at the following website: www.ed.gov/accreditation. Foreign education must be evaluated by a private professional organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials or an accredited U.S. educational institution in terms of equivalence to a degree acquired at an American college or university. A copy of the evaluation results must be included, otherwise your foreign education will not be considered. Additional Information We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements The U.S. Department of Transportation strives to ensure that equity, transparency, accountability, collaboration, and communication permeate all that we do for the betterment of the Department, the traveling public, and our nation. As such, DOT values a highly diverse workforce of persons who promote a culture of belonging by respecting the personal dignity and worth of each individual and fostering a positive environment where all feel safe and welcome. If these commitments coincide with your personal ideals and professional aspirations, please consider joining the DOT family. Leave Enhancement: FAA organizations may offer enhanced annual leave accrual to newly appointed or reappointed employees. In order to receive consideration for such a benefit, applicants' prior non-Federal service or active duty uniformed service must directly relate to the duties of the position to which appointed. Granting enhanced annual leave is at the sole discretion of the hiring organization, and granting such benefit is not an entitlement nor guaranteed to any newly hired employee. Applications will be accepted from any U.S. citizen. On-the-Spot will be used to fill this position. The 'Rule of Three', Veterans Preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA, in your work history, please include information that provides specific examples of how you meet the response level or answer you chose for each KSA. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate based on the work history and experience you provided. Your answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration This is a bargaining unit position. This position is represented by NFFE 1340: Tech Center Professionals. Links to Important Information: Locality Pay , COLA