Aerospace Engineer, AST, Aerospace Flight Systems (Direct Hire)

You will serve as an Aerospace Engineer working with aeronautical flight systems, vehicles, payloads, design and operational requirements, hardware and/or software development, testing, verification, safety, integration, certification, or operations. Work varies by Center and responsibility to the mission.

Interviews for positions at Armstrong Flight Research Center, Ames Research Center, Johnson Space Center, and Marshall Space Flight Center will be conducted at the SWE conference. In addition to the Basic Education Requirement (in the Education section below), to qualify for this position you must meet the requirements below. 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.

NASA utilizes OPM-approved qualification and rating requirements specific for Aerospace Technology (AST) positions which recognizes NASA's unique aerospace work. The specific qualifications and minimum education requirements are further described below and within the education section of the job announcement.

To qualify for GS-07, you must have:

a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level:

• Studying or applying theories, concepts, principles, and methodology to assist in the design and development of various aerospace systems and subsystems, or components;
• Assisting with collecting the data to support requirements development and analysis;
• Assisting with the preparation of performance and aerospace/spaceflight vehicle risk assessments;
• Assisting in resolving issues for engineering systems and/or systems testing.

OR

b) Completed 1 full academic year of graduate study in a directly related field

OR

c) Any combination of experience and graduate study in a directly related field

OR

d) You may also qualify at the GS-07 level by meeting one of these Special Provisions:

1. Are in the upper third of your class, based on completed college work at the time of filing an application.
2. Have an average of 2.9 or better on a 4.0 scale for either all completed college work at the time of application, or all college courses completed during the last 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum.
3. Achieved a grade average of B+ (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or better in the major field of study where such field is fully qualifying.
4. Elected to membership in one of the national honorary scholastic societies meeting the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies.
5. Completed 12 months of student trainee experience that includes at least one work period equivalent to the GS-5, or at least 15 months of appropriate student trainee experience which includes one work period equivalent to the GS-04 level.
6. For engineering positions, successfully completed a 5-year program of study, or at least 160 semester hours, leading to a bachelor's degree.
7. For engineering positions, have a professional engineering degree, and up to 12 months of experience gained as a technician or technologist equivalent to the GS-5 or higher level.
8. Successfully completed all requirements for two bachelor's degrees, one in an appropriate field of science or engineering.
9. Have six months of directly related/specialized experience or training, including 3 months gained after the junior year of college.
10. Received honors or elective positions indicating superior leadership outside of your academic setting.
11. Have a pattern of completing courses that include unusual preparatory value or direct relation to the particular aerospace specialty for which you are being considered.
12. Have creative research aptitude or special talent for NASA scientific or engineering work.

To qualify for GS-09, you must have:

a) One year of directly related specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level:

• Assisting a team of engineers involved in the design and development of various aerospace systems, subsystems, components, or assisting with collecting the data to support requirements development and analysis;
• Assisting with the preparation of performance and spaceflight vehicle risk assessments; or gathering data to resolve issues for aerospace testing;
• Assisting with researching behavior in atmospheric and space environments to support resolving issues for aerospace systems.

OR

b) Completed all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree in a directly related field

OR

c) Completed 2 full academic years of graduate education in a directly related field

OR

d) Have an equivalent combination of experience and graduate study as discussed in a), b) and c) above.

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 to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Required college majors for applicants qualifying on the basis of undergraduate or graduate education only:

Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautics, Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Astronautics, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgy, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Physics, Physics, Applied Physics, Engineering Physics, Structural Engineering, Welding Engineering. Other majors will qualify if the major includes or is supplemented as follows: Ceramic Engineering, Ceramics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mathematics (Pure or Applied) (or other related field), if it includes or is supplemented by nine semester hours (or the equivalent) in machine design, mechanics, hydraulics, dynamics, thermodynamics, mechanical design or mechanical measurement.