Scientific Instrument Maker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The primary purpose of the Engineering Technician is to use computer aided software applications to plan and develop various products for projects in support of Facilities Management. The Engineering technician also updates and maintains various complex and diverse databases storing design files. Incumbents must possess a Bachelors degree in a STEM major. (Science, technology, Engineering and Mathematics), or related discipline.Qualifications:To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/30/2026.
Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.
Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment
Individual Occupational Requirements Series Definition: This series covers technical positions supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the:

• methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and
• construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials.

Basic Requirements: Specialized Experience (for positions at GS-4 or equivalent and above):Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in: drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as:

• Planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes.
• Instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on devices fabricated.

Certification: Engineering technicians may be certified by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies, an organization sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers. Certification by the Institute will be helpful as a measure of the technician's quality of experience
In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements you must also meet the Specialized Experience listed below.
You may qualify based on your experience as described below:
Specialized Experience:

• You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare, update, and maintain architectural, engineering, and as-built drawings and documentation for existing buildings and building systems (such as architectural, structural, civil, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), including drawing review and coordination. Experience interpreting and creating detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and system layouts for facilities (not component parts). Application of knowledge of building codes, construction practices, and design standards in the development and maintenance of facility as-built documents. Experience in updating and managing drawing databases and file structures for multi-discipline building projects. Familiarity with plan reading and working with various engineering and architectural teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects field conditions and construction changes.
• Preferred Experience: Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to prepare, update, and maintain architectural, engineering, and as-built drawings and documentation for existing buildings and building systems (such as architectural, structural, civil, HVAC, electrical, or plumbing), including drawing review and coordination. Experience interpreting and creating detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, and system layouts for facilities (not component parts). Application of knowledge of building codes, construction practices, and design standards in the development and maintenance of facility as-built documents. Experience in updating and managing drawing databases and file structures for multi-discipline building projects. Familiarity with plan reading and working with various engineering and architectural teams to ensure as-built documentation accurately reflects field conditions and construction changes.

Note: CAD experience limited to parts, components, or machinist-level work will not be accepted unless it specifically involved drafting for buildings, facilities, or architectural/engineering design projects.
You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Computer Skills
• Design
• Electric Drawings
• General Engineering
• Project Management

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). 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.
Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some moderate physical effort may be required including walking between buildings and into spaces not regularly accessed by the public such as the pipe basement and mechanical rooms. Due to access requirements in asbestos areas, incumbent may be required to wear a respirator.
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUIS ANNOUNCEMENT until July 24, 2026. Applicants will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis until the position is filled.
For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.Education:No education at this level
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER