Permittivity Standard Reference Instrument Engineer

National Institute of Standards and Technology • Boulder, CO

4d

About The Position

NIST is seeking an Electronics Engineer to advance precision microwave and millimeter-wave measurement science and develop traceable methods and standards for complex permittivity supporting next-generation electronics and communications. The engineer will develop permittivity Standard Reference Materials, establish traceability, and advance microwave calibration methods. The role involves planning and conducting complex experiments, assessing measurement uncertainty, and integrating commercial and custom analysis software. The engineer will contribute to major scientific, mathematical, engineering, or information technology projects and communicate findings and recommendations to varied audiences. The position is offered under direct-hire authority for occupations with a severe shortage of candidates and is covered by NIST’s Alternative Personnel Management System. It is a term appointment that may be extended for up to six years; the trial period lasts for the duration of the term appointment, and conversion to a career or career-conditional appointment may be possible without further competition.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Must be suitable for Federal employment.
• Meet the engineering basic requirement through an acceptable engineering degree; an eligible combination of education, training, and technical experience; professional registration or licensure; passing the Fundamentals of Engineering or other qualifying written examination; at least 60 semester hours of specified physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences; or an eligible related curriculum combined with professional engineering experience.
• In addition to the basic requirements, have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 (ZP-II at NIST) level, or a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or a combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
• Specialized experience includes conducting research and contributing to research programs and funding proposals; developing, modeling, calibrating, and analyzing precision microwave measurement systems and devices in on-wafer, coaxial, and waveguide applications; and applying electromagnetic theory, resonator permittivity measurement methods, and modern data analysis techniques, including Bayesian uncertainty analysis.
• Submit transcripts to validate education requirements. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted with the application, but official transcripts are required before a final employment offer.
• Foreign education must be evaluated by an accredited organization for comparability to U.S. education; submit an evaluation with a course-by-course listing.
• Select at least one eligibility to be considered for the position.

Responsibilities

• Develop permittivity Standard Reference Materials with limited supervision.
• Plan, design, and execute complex experiments to establish permittivity traceability using electromagnetic and waveguide circuit theory.
• Evaluate sources of uncertainty and develop new methods, approaches, and procedures in collaboration with coworkers and technical advisors.
• Conduct complex scientific assignments, applying judgment to research, interpret, adapt, and apply theoretical principles, technical guidance, and precedents to microwave calibrations and integration of commercial and custom analysis software.
• Contribute to the planning, execution, and direction of major scientific, mathematical, engineering, or information technology projects.
• Communicate technical concepts, findings, and recommendations clearly and effectively to varied audiences.
• Conduct research and contribute to research programs and funding proposals.
• Develop, model, calibrate, and analyze precision microwave measurement systems and devices, including on-wafer, coaxial, and waveguide applications.
• Apply electromagnetic theory, resonator permittivity measurement methods, and modern data analysis techniques, including Bayesian uncertainty analysis.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families, subject to position-specific eligibility.
• NIST offers work-life flexibilities to support balance between responsibilities at home and work.
• NIST’s Alternative Personnel Management System offers pay-for-performance and HR flexibilities.

What This Job Offers

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