Posting 24-44

AREA OF CONSIDERATION:  This position is open to all eligible candidates. 

NOTE: This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 14—selection for this position will be made at grade 13. Candidates may be non-competitively promoted to grade 14 upon the recommendation of the supervisor based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, and qualifications of the employee. First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date.

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program and may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Childcare), Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

INTRODUCTION

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support.  Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY
The purpose of the position is to provide a Quality Assurance (QA) Engineering Technologist to support projects within SAO that have the complex, contractually mandated quality assurance requirements associated with NASA space-flight hardware fabrication and to provide guidance to CFA scientific investigators in defining, proposing, and conducting instrumentation projects with quality assurance requirements. 

MAJOR DUTIES

• 
  Help the QA Manager develops quality assurance requirements for SAO space-borne hardware projects which will satisfy NASA quality assurance requirements for space-flight hardware.
• Work with the QA Manager to implement a Quality Assurance Plan for assigned projects which will serve as the primary control instrument for the duration of the project. The plan will be based upon consideration of the technical and manufacturing aspects of production and related engineering design and materials, will comply with the project's contractual requirements.
• Implements and assures conformance with contractual quality assurance requirements by controlling all work operations and manufacturing processes including inspections and tests. 
• Supports the review of Non-Conforming Materials Reports (NMR's) for overall trends or conditions affecting project quality which may not be readily apparent from an evaluation of individual incidents.
• Conducts on-site surveys of vendors and/or subcontractors, to assure that all components, materials and manufacturing processes satisfy project quality requirements.  Establishes and monitors a vendor rating system.
• Initiates and implements procedures to rapidly assess and correct assignable conditions affecting program quality. Corrective action will extend to the performance of all suppliers and vendors.
• Maintains knowledge of state of the art in design techniques, materials, and fabrication processes. Evaluates conceptual designs from scientific investigators or senior engineering staff for acceptability under NASA quality requirements. Makes recommendations to scientific and senior engineering staff for design modifications necessary to achieve end item quality. 
• Represents SAO with the QA manager to NASA and other contracting and cooperating agencies and organizations in all activities associated with quality assurance. Serves on technical committees and agency and contractor review panels.
• Advises CfA scientific staff on quality assurance requirements of instrument hardware development projects, recommends or specifies appropriate quality assurance provisions in contracts, and writes quality assurance sections of project proposals.
• Supports design reviews for all levels of hardware and is a member of the Configuration Change Board (CCB).  
• Maintains cognizance of NASA ALERT system.  Analyzes and interprets data, identifies affected areas of SAO projects, and takes corrective action where necessary.  

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Basic Requirements:
Undergraduate and Graduate Education:
Major study -- quality assurance, statistics, mathematics, production management, industrial management, computer science, engineering, engineering technology, physical sciences, textiles, or other fields related to the position.

Additional Requirements:  Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade (12 ) level in similar positions.  Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

• Familiarity with the basic concepts of Aerospace ISO standard (AS9100C).
• Demonstrates a general knowledge of quality assurance concepts, methodology and operating principles as well as demonstrated mastery of the advanced principles and practices in order to conceptualize, investigate, analyze and modify designs, fabrication processes and procedures, acquisition processes and procedures, and provide consultative services on all aspects of quality assurance associated with the development and manufacture of a complete range of highly complex space-borne, systems for astrophysical data collection that are at, or extending, state-of-the-art.
• Proven ability to apply general knowledge both of emerging technology and of the design and fabrication of aerospace systems to the analysis of complex quality assurance issues relating both to the acquisition and production of parts, materials, components, and complete systems for space-borne astrophysical data acquisition. 
• Ability to maintain cognizance of new technical developments in quality assurance engineering, to appropriately interpret associated quality assurance issues, and to apply new technology as well as experienced judgment to solving a wide variety of highly complex technical problems.

 Applicants, who wish to qualify based on education completed outside the United States, must be deemed equivalent to higher education programs of U.S. Institutions by an organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. This documentation is the responsibility of the applicant and should be included as part of your application package.

 Any false statement in your application may result in your application being rejected and may also result in termination after employment begins.

The Smithsonian Institution values and seeks a diverse workforce. Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

 Resume/CV should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week. College Transcript should be provided if using education for qualification.  

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.  To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds support and enhance our daily work life and contribute to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: www.si.edu/oeema.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/

About Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is joined by Harvard College Observatory to form the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.  The Center is a collaboration between Harvard and Smithsonian designed to ask — and ultimately answer — humanity’s greatest unresolved questions about the nature of the universe.   Founded in 1973, the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian is an ongoing collaboration designed to foster innovation and propel discovery.  Our mission is to advance knowledge of the Universe through research in astronomy and astrophysics and in related areas of fundamental physics and geophysics.

At the CfA, scientists in a broad range of disciplines study the universe at every scale, from every wavelength, and using telescopes and instruments that span and orbit the globe, all with a single purpose: making groundbreaking discoveries that advance human knowledge.

How to Apply:  Please use the following link to visit Smithsonian's Career Page:  Smithsonian Institution Job Opportunities Site

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable. 
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States.  Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.