Electronics Engineer

Summary

This position is located in the Federal Communications Commission, Office of Engineering and Technology, Laboratory Division, Technical Research Branch in Columbia, MD. RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE PAID. THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

Duties

• Serves as a senior engineer, expert consultant, and special project director on telecommunications and wireless communications engineering. Incumbent will need to ensure new technologies are compliant with the Commission's rules. Performs highly technical analyses and research, studies, projects in support of the Commission's rulemaking and policy. Applies a mastery of engineering principles and practices (e.g., electro-magnetic compatibility measurement principles; Radio Frequency propagation -models, mathematical principles, radiated field measurements, conducted emission measurements, computer networking practices, various wireless communications technologies and cognitive radio developments) to the study of technical problems and issues accompanying rule making proceedings. Leads and/or actively participates as a member of agency and interagency program planning panels, committee teams and meetings, to determine possibilities for development of comparative wireless network activities. Directs advanced telecommunications and wireless network systems research projects and technology research teams in developing test plans and diverse procedures. Advises the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) on developing new telecommunications and related technologies (e.g., wireless local area networks, measurement procedures for Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices, and Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO)) and determining interference risks and technical operating parameters to develop technical standards. Advises the Branch Chiefs and the Division and Deputy Chiefs on Part 2 rules for equipment authorization and marketing, Part 15 and 18 rules for unlicensed radio frequency devices and other technical rules for approval of licensed devices. Provides advanced technical support for the compliance guidance to manufacturers, test laboratories and the Telecommunication Certification Bodies (TCBs) on the equipment authorization program; and development of test procedures for devices to comply with the Commission's technical rules. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

See "Qualifications".

Qualifications

Interested candidates should be passionate about the ideals of our American republic, committed to upholding the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution, and committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government. Hiring decisions will not be based on race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. Applicants must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Current Federal employees asking to be considered under Merit Promotion procedures must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Candidates must meet all of the qualification criteria outlined below in order to be deemed as qualified. QUALIFICATION CRITERIA A. Education: Candidates must meet the following OPM basic requirements: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/electronics-engineering-series-0855/.pdf AND B. Specialized Experience GS-14 For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks: 1. Participating in the development of new hypotheses and theories concerning radiofrequency (RF) use and spectrum management; 2. Participating in studies of spectrum-sharing arrangements involving equipment authorization and RF use; 3. Performing electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), radiofrequency exposure, and related compliance measurements to demonstrate conformance with technical requirements established by international regulatory agencies, industry organizations, or other federal agencies, including requirements involving Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC), Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), and incident power density; 4. Providing technical advice on major research and analysis projects involving shared spectrum; 5. Participating in the development of EMC and equipment-authorization measurement procedures for evolving technologies, including 5G, 6 GHz Wi-Fi, UWB, geolocation technologies, radar and sensing systems, as well as multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and active antenna arrays, cellular and other licensed technologies. 6. Evaluating the RF, EMC, and spectrum-management implications of emerging wireless technologies and applications, including 5G systems, 6 GHz Wi-Fi devices, geolocation services, and radar and sensing technologies. 7. Experience in a working RF Laboratory such as an Accredited and FCC recognized test firm or other EMC laboratory GS-15 For this position, applicants must have a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service performing the following tasks: 1. Leading the development of new hypotheses and theories concerning RF use and spectrum management; 2. Directing studies of spectrum-sharing arrangements involving equipment authorization and RF use; 3. Leading the development of EMC measurement procedures, technical requirements, and standards for evolving wireless technologies, including multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) and active antenna arrays, 5G & 6G Cellular, Wi-Fi, D2D, NTN and other emerging technologies; 4. Overseeing and leading major technical research and analysis projects involving shared spectrum; 5. Performing or directing EMC and related measurements to demonstrate compliance with the technical requirements of international regulatory agencies, industry organizations, or other federal agencies; 6. Leading the development, evaluation, or implementation of international technical standards related to RF equipment authorization, electromagnetic compatibility, spectrum use, or wireless device compliance; 7. Providing technical leadership in the development, implementation, or administration of Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) and related international conformity-assessment arrangements; and 8. Directing or conducting technical and regulatory reviews involving test firm certification and ownership, including evaluating a test firm's technical qualifications, organizational structure, independence, control, and eligibility to perform equipment-authorization testing. 9. Experience in equipment authorization oversight operation such as a Telecommunications certification Body. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: 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; religious; 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. AND GS-14 COMPETENCIES Ability to develop measurement techniques for determining multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), long term evolution (LTE), Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII), Wi-Fi, etc., of various devices including mobile/portable wireless user equipment and IEEE 802.11 wireless network devices; and develop new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management. Skill in the use and application of RF emission measurements for fixed and mobile services and operations; will also serve as focal point for coordination of activities with industry organizations such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Ability to prepare bulletins, guidance documents and public notices, give speeches and serve on panels at public and industrial forums. Knowledge of the latest telecommunications and wireless network systems technology which includes testing and certification of devices. Knowledge of policies concerning equipment authorization and Radio Frequency (RF) use. GS-15 COMPETENCIES Knowledge of the latest telecommunications and wireless network systems technology which includes testing and certification of devices. Knowledge of policies concerning equipment authorization and Radio Frequency (RF) use. Ability to develop new hypotheses and theories on RF use and spectrum management. Skill in the use and application of RF emission measurements for fixed and mobile services and operations. Ability to serve as focal point for coordination of activities with industry organizations such as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Ability to prepare bulletins, guidance documents and public notices, give speeches and serve on panels at public and industrial forums. Ability to develop measurement techniques for determining multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), long term evolution (LTE), Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII), Wi-Fi, etc. of various devices including mobile/portable wireless user equipment and IEEE 802.11 wireless network devices. SME REVIEW Subject matter experts will be conducting a competency based, scored structured resume review and will be reviewing resumes to determine if candidates meet the required specialized experience criteria in addition to the required competencies to determine which candidates are eligible to be referred for selection to the selecting official. Candidates must meet the required specialized experience criteria in addition to required competencies and receive a score of 90 or higher on the scored structured resume review to be eligible for referral to the selecting official.

Education

If applicable, see "Qualifications".

Benefits

The FCC offers a wide range of employee benefits, including: Health Insurance Life Insurance Dental & Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Accounts Long-Term Care Insurance Holidays and Leave Retirement Thrift Savings Plan Transit Benefit Alternative Work Schedule Telecommuting

Required documents

Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s). All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents. If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. Merit Hiring Plan Resume Requirements In compliance with Executive Order 14170, Reforming the Federal Hiring Process and Restoring Merit to Government Service resumes must not be longer than two pages in length. The resume must address minimum qualifications and other requirements listed in the job announcement. Resumes must include all of the following information outlined below: Contact Information Name and how best to contact you, including email address and phone number. Relevant Work Experience Job Title and Employer (including series and grade for any Federal positions) Start and end dates with month/year (e.g., 05/2019 –08/2022) The number of hours you worked per week Ensure work experience descriptions are aligned with the job announcement and address all required qualifications. Brief descriptions should demonstrate your ability to perform the tasks at the required level as stated in the job announcement. Resumes must be formatted as outlined above. If the two page resume criteria and/or the resume formatting requirement is not met candidates will be rated as ineligible and will not be referred for hiring consideration. The FCC is providing the following applicant resume resources: Applicant Guidance on the Two-Page Resume Limit USAjobs-How to Write a Federal Resume Current or Former Federal Employees ALL CURRENT/FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade. If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible. CURRENT FCC EMPLOYEES-To request a copy of your SF-50 please send an email to [email protected] ICTAP/CTAP Employees If you are an ICTAP or CTAP eligible employee you must submit (along with your resume): 1. Copy of separation SF-50 documenting ICTAP/CTAP eligibility 2. Copy of your final federal performance appraisal 3. Copy of official Reduction in Force (RIF) notice 4. Copy of any other document which documents your eligibility for CTAP or ICTAP