Electrical Engineer

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives • Beltsville, MD

2d

About The Position

This position is located in the Fire Research Laboratory (FRL) within the Office of Science and Technology (OST). The incumbent serves as the lead technical expert practitioner evaluating products, equipment, and components with electrical or electronic functions and mechanical features for failure modes that may cause fires.

The Electrical Engineer performs forensic electrical engineering examinations, testing, and analyses with minimal technical guidance. The role uses laboratory techniques to determine fire- or explosion-related failure modes in electrical, electronic, and electromechanical devices and systems. The incumbent documents examinations of evidence and scenes, interprets scientific results, draws conclusions, and prepares laboratory reports. The position also involves evaluating new technology, equipment, and scientific techniques with senior engineers, providing expert witness testimony, and supporting law enforcement, attorneys, investigators, scientists, and laboratory personnel through technical advice and training.

The position is at the GS-14 grade level. Applicants must meet the stated engineering education or equivalent basic requirements and have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13. Federal employment conditions include U.S. citizenship or nationality, applicable Selective Service registration, possible completion of a one-year probationary period, drug screening and random drug testing, suitability determination through a background investigation, and applicable time-in-grade requirements. Applicants must complete a USA Hire assessment within 48 hours after the announcement closing date of November 9, 2026.

Requirements

• Meet the basic engineering education requirement through an acceptable engineering degree, an approved combination of education and experience, qualifying professional registration or licensure, a passed Fundamentals of Engineering or other qualifying written examination, at least 60 semester hours of specified engineering sciences, or a qualifying related curriculum plus at least one year of professional engineering experience under professional engineering supervision and guidance.
• Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-13 by the announcement closing date.
• Demonstrate mastery of the principles, theories, and practices of electrical or electronic engineering.
• Have in-depth knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines concerning fire, explosions, and forensic evidence, including their application to laws on explosives, bombings, arson, and other Bureau programs.
• Have experience examining building electrical systems and electrical, electronic, and electromechanical equipment to interpret fire or explosion damage.
• Have experience developing and modifying examinations, testing, and research protocols; interpreting analytical results; and producing scientifically supported conclusions.
• Have experience preparing comprehensive laboratory reports based on documented examinations, tests, and detailed analysis and interpretation of evidentiary materials.
• Have experience providing expert witness testimony and advising attorneys on evidentiary value and presentation of scientific results.
• Have experience providing technical advisory support to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies on electrical engineering methodology.
• Have experience providing forensic electrical engineering training to investigators, attorneys, scientists, and laboratory personnel.
• Be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born on or after December 31, 1959, or have an approved exemption.
• Pass drug screening and be subject to random drug testing.
• Be suitable for federal employment as determined by a background investigation.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
• Complete the required USA Hire assessment within 48 hours after the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

• Perform forensic electrical engineering examinations, testing, and analyses with minimal technical guidance.
• Use appropriate laboratory techniques to determine fire- and explosion-related failure modes of electrical, electronic, and electromechanical devices and systems.
• Document examinations of evidence and scenes, interpret scientific results, draw conclusions, and prepare laboratory reports.
• Work with senior engineers to evaluate new technology, equipment, and scientific techniques for adoption by Laboratory Services.
• Provide expert witness testimony based on scientific conclusions.
• Examine building electrical systems and electrical, electronic, and electromechanical equipment to interpret fire or explosion damage.
• Develop and modify examination, testing, and research protocols; interpret analytical results; and produce scientifically supported conclusions.
• Prepare comprehensive laboratory reports based on documented examinations, tests, and detailed analysis and interpretation of evidentiary materials.
• Advise attorneys on evidentiary value and approaches for presenting scientific results.
• Provide technical advisory support to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies on electrical engineering methodology.
• Provide forensic electrical engineering training to investigators, attorneys, scientists, and laboratory personnel.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on the type of position and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior