Lead Engineer for Test and Safety (LETS) NH-04

Full TimeMD-ABERDEENAEC
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Eligibility Requirements

US Citizenship

Career Category

Engineer

Job Summary

This job is a civilian position and does not require military service (including commission and enlistment)
 
WHAT IS ATEC?

ATEC is the Army’s independent test and evaluation organization. We are a team of Civilian and Military personnel working together to provide America’s Military with the best equipment to win and return home safely. At ATEC, we have a saying: If a Soldier rides, wears, shoots, or deploys it, we test it. ATEC is at the forefront of testing and evaluating technologies of the future from autonomous aerial/ground vehicles to hypersonic weapons. Each day, top scientists and engineers test and evaluate cutting-edge equipment. Our workforce is highly technical and skilled, comprised of more than 8,500 military, civilian, and contract personnel. Engineers, scientists, technicians, researchers, and evaluators work with innovative, advanced technologies in 24 testing and research locations across the U.S. States and around the world. If you are a civilian who wants their work to make a difference, we look forward to hearing from you. For more information on ATEC, salary, benefits, etc., visit: https://www.atecciviliancareers.com.
 
PLACE OF WORK: The US Army Test & Evaluation Command (ATEC), Army Evaluation Center (AEC) are hiring two positions in the Mounted Systems Evaluation Directorate (MSED) and the Solider Evaluation Directorate (SED) located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005.
 
Control Point Statement: The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) is participating in an alternate personnel system known as the Acquisition Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). Among other features, the Demonstration Project replaced GS grade levels with occupational families and pay bands. The band NH-04 is equal to the former GS-14 Step 01 through GS-15 step 10. ATEC uses salary control points to allow for differentiation in the level of positions within the same broad band. Therefore, the salary for this position will be set no higher than $185,457 including locality.

Job Responsibilities

Serve as the directorate/command authority and technical expert in developmental testing and safety mission areas. The programs are characterized by their national/international scope and impact; the need to conceive, initiate and monitor, policies, programs, and projects dealing with challenging problems in the specialty area(s). Serves as the focal point with management responsibility for developmental testing (DT) and safety evaluations of materiel systems and associated software in the assigned areas.

1.  Product Review / Support: Review/maintain technical quality of directorate test integration plans and safety products (releases, confirmations, recommendations to other services). Ensures safety products are derived from all relevant data sources (contractor DT, government DT, modeling and simulation) and are technically sound and accurate, presents a balanced picture of system capabilities, and are reported in sufficient detail to satisfy decision makers and inform operational commanders. Delegated approving official for specified safety products. Reviews/maintains applicable regulatory and policy adherence. Ensures the quality and adherence to applicable directives, regulations, and policies of all test integration and safety products. 

2.  Direct Test Strategy: Directs the DT mission approving test support orders directing testing activities to execute specific test requirements; and ensures the testing is assigned in accordance with the applicable regulations. Ensures adequate DT activities are planned and estimated (cost, schedule and performance). Mentors project teams ensuring test scope, cost estimate, and schedule accurately reflects evaluator and customer needs. Resolves complex and challenging issues on behalf of higher headquarters with the subordinate Commander and Technical Director. 

3.  Subject Matter Expert: Principal advisor to the Director, Senior Acquisition Advisor, and Technical Director on matters involving the safety evaluation and test planning of a broad range of new, traditional and/or rapid acquisition systems. Propose Combined DT /OT events, Integrated DT/OT tests, “Green” DT, and User Excursions to bring Soldiers into DT as soon as practical. Assesses and provides strategic direction and resolution of mission-critical problems, policies, and procedures. Formulates, recommends and implements broad internal technical policies and procedures within the limits of which all test functions are accomplished. The incumbent is responsible for managing testing programs to ensure that safety verification and evaluation objectives are achieved; the requirements in the Initial Capabilities Document and Capabilities Development Document are testable; modeling and simulation are integrated into test and evaluation; DT and OT are coordinated and combined to the maximum extent feasible; and test programs are tailored and integrated. Guides innovation and formulation of flexible and rigorous T&E strategies, concepts, methodologies, and techniques for assigned Army acquisition programs. 

4. Leadership: Represents the Director and organization as required. Represents the organization at program-related meetings, reviews, conferences and symposiums as appropriate. Effectively reports results through oral/written communications to Command and Senior Army and Department of Defense leadership (SES/GO). Interacts with senior leadership, combat and material developers, contractors, other service Operational Test Activities, and others to provide timely., comprehensive input to Milestone Decision Authorities regarding test planning and safety products. Interfaces with higher-level headquarters, field elements, program managers/program executive officers, corporate laboratories, and miscellaneous federal, non-federal, private industry and Other Than Army RDA customers to resolve complex problems and to monitor technical test program accomplishment. 

Job Qualification

  • U.S. Citizens who meet the minimum qualification requirements for the following series:
     
    0801- General Engineer -  General Engineering Series 0801 (opm.gov)
     
     
    1515- Operations Research Analyst - Operations Research Series 1515 (opm.gov)

     

    If this position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience, and you meet this requirement based on education, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package, or you will be rated ineligible.

    If this position requires a job-related license or certificate, you MUST submit a copy of your license or certification upon request or you will be rated ineligible.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED. You will be evaluated based on your level of competency in the following areas:

1. Leadership

2. Oral Communication

3. Planning and Evaluating

4. Project Management

You will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.
 
Your application will be used to determine eligibility and qualifications for this position.  If determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. 

Conditions of Employment

  • This position requires incumbent to be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance, or access, for the duration of employment.
  • This position requires temporary duty travel (TDY) up to 20% of the time. 
  • This position requires submission of Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually thereafter.
  • This is an Acquisition Position. Selectee must obtain Test & Evaluation certification at the Practitioner Career Level II Certification within 5 years.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • A trial/probationary period may be required.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • Direct deposit of pay is required.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations. For more information on PCS, click here. When you perform a Civilian PCS with the government, the Internal Revenue Service(IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit here for more information.
  • The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command has various incentives that may be available for highly qualified candidates. These include Recruitment Incentives, Relocation Incentives, Student Loan Repayment, and Credit for Leave Accrual. Incentives may be authorized IAW agency policy.
  • Teleworking may be offered in accordance with the current command policy. 
  • Remote work is not authorized.

Travel Requirements

Up to 20% Travel

QUESTIONS or issues please send us a message with the vacancy announcement URL, position title, and location to:

usarmy.apg.atec.mbx.atec-civilian-careers@army.mil