Chief, Avionic Systems Division

Summary

Serves as Chief of the Avionic Systems Division providing technical and administrative leadership for design development integration testing operations and sustainment of spacecraft avionics and software supporting all human spaceflight programs. Leads system engineering software lifecycle management and test facility development while representing Center leadership and the Engineering Directorate across NASA on avionics initiatives.

Duties

• The Chief Avionic Systems Division is responsible for technical management of activities in the areas of electronic systems and software including command and data handling communications and tracking displays and controls instrumentation systems and data storage solutions. Leads these efforts across all human spaceflight programs.
• Leads the organization in the design development test and evaluation of spacecraft electronic and software systems including pulse code modulation equipment timing signal conditioning onboard recording communications and caution and warning electronics.
• Provides oversight and direction for the advancement of human rated avionic systems discipline for JSC and the Agency including the management the overall systems engineering to accomplish the successful design development implementation integration and operation of the spacecrafts command and instrumentation systems data processing and software systems and communications and tracking systems as elements of the overall vehicle avionics.
• Leads the organization in the development of documentation requirements and specifications for design performance and interface controls of these avionic systems.
• Reviews and directs the technical approach and progress toward the execution of hardware facility development and operational functions.
• Establishes and operates the necessary laboratories and test facilities for in-house conceptual development test and evaluation of avionics systems. Utilizes other assigned facilities and test sites for testing avionics systems culminating in verification and certification for flight readiness.
• Oversees and directs as appropriate the execution of mission-related engineering work within NASA including establishment and implementation of stakeholder independent checks and balances needed to ensure this core mission capability is conducted proficiently including the definition development implementation integration and verification of avionics systems for space flight programs assigned to JSC.
• Establishes and operates simulator facilities by employing computers and simulator cockpit mockups without-the-window displays to support manned studies of spacecraft systems avionics spacecraft hardware and software design studies and dynamic performance tests.
• Integrates Division activities for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (International Space Station Commercial Crew Office Commercial LEO Destinations) Orion Human Landing Systems Extravehicular Activity and mobility systems and Moon Base programs technology and manages cost schedule planning reporting for these activities.
• Provides administrative and technical supervision necessary to accomplish the work of the Division by directing organizational operations establishing priorities assigning work and ensuring effective execution of the Divisions mission and objectives.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• The individual selected will be required to file an Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278e) within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• Initial Senior Executive Service (SES) Career appointee is subject to a one-year probationary period.
• Successful completion of a background investigation commensurate with the risk and sensitivity level of the position.
• Successful completion of pre-employment and random drug testing may be required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance as required by the position.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Must meet qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment at the time requested by the agency.

Qualifications

As a basic requirement for entry into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment you must clearly articulate and describe within your 2-page resume that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications MTQ(s) related to this position . If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and MTQ(s) you may be disqualified. Any additional pages over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed.

Your resume should include evidence of progressively responsible supervisory managerial or professional experience which involved management of a program or organization of significant scope and complexity normally obtained over several years by serving in positions at the GS-15 level or equivalent.

If you are (1) currently serving under a career SES appointment (2) eligible for reinstatement into the SES (this means you were previously employed as a Career SES employee and you successfully completed a one-year probationary period) OR (3) have successfully completed a SES Candidate Development Program (CDP) and certified by OPM you do not need to address the ECQs in your resume. However your resume must clearly state that you are a current career SES eligible for SES reinstatement or SES CDP certified and year of certification.

Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or MTQ(s). Only your 2-page resume will be accepted and considered. Any additional documents submitted will not be accepted.

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs)
For more information on the ECQs please visit OPMs ECQ webpage.

ECQ 1 - Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law and commitment to serve the American people. Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government Commitment to the Rule of Law and Civic-Mindedness

ECQ 2 - Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources budget effectively cut wasteful spending and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility Managing Resources Leveraging Technology

ECQ 3 - Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. Competencies: Technical Skill Problem Solving Agility and Resilience

ECQ 4 - Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organizations vision mission and goals and to drive a high-performance high-accountability culture. This includes when necessary the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. Competencies: Accountability Developing Others Executive Judgment

ECQ 5 - Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Competencies: Operational Mindset Innovation Strategic Thinking

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (MTQ):
Your resume must include accomplishments that address the MTQ(s).

MTQ: Demonstrated experience in leading a team/organization responsible for the overall human rated spacecraft avionics systems including data processing displays/controls instrumentation communications and tracking technologies. Demonstrated experience planning and conducting large scale design development and certification activities for avionic systems and flight readiness.
Competencies: Avionics & Technical Work and Team Management

Your application package must be in your own words. 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. Please visit to review NASAs guidance on the use of artificial intelligent (AI) or AI-assisted tools during the application process.

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.

A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major study in engineering physical science mathematics life sciences computer science or other field of science is required.

An official transcript will be required if you are selected.

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

Veterans preference is not applicable to the SES.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Required Experience:

Chief