ENGINEER or SCIENTIST

Summary

You will serve as the Senior Autonomous Capabilities and Software Technical Competency Manager (ACS STCM) - Code 80 in the Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) & Controls Engineering Resource Branch, Combatant Craft Division, of the Naval Architecture and Engineering Department, Carderock Division of NAVSRFWARCEN DET, Virginia Beach, VA. This position is part of the Warfare Centers Personnel Demonstration Project. The ND-5 pay band encompasses positions equivalent to GS-14 and GS-15.

Duties

You will serve as senior subject matter expert/manager of ACSTC - Code 80 and lead POC for the design/integration of autonomous navigation, managing/controlling the autonomy interfaces and providing guidance on automation/autonomous control.

You will interface with the mission autonomy system and perception system to receive and execute safe autonomous navigation.

You will develop metrics, processes, definitions, requirements mapping, guidance, test objectives and scenarios for USV and USV systems certification.

You will be responsible for the design and integration of USV and USV system architectures; autonomy architecture standard development, certification, and employment for USV programs across the Naval Research and Development Establishment.

You will determine the plan of attack and direction of the work; and make recommendations for new work or stopping of work or major changes to objectives are accepted based on resources, effect on mission and manpower.

You will be recognized as a technical authority in the field providing leadership and determine the perimeter of investigation of the state of the art and how to close the technological gap.

You will be required to determine a broad attack on complex problems and establish requirements for the interdisciplinary effort in the field.

You will be responsible for all aspects of the engineering, development, integration and delivery of architectures and software for autonomous and unmanned surface vessels.

You will work with other program offices, sponsors, NSWC divisions, NIWC, OPNAV codes, and Technical Warrant Holders to ensure Carderock Division provides quality autonomous solutions to meet needs for safe operation of autonomous vessels/vehicles.

You will communicate with senior leadership, military and civilians on all matters related to autonomous capabilities and software.

You will report to the Code 8324 Branch Head and are responsible for assisting the Branch Head with recruitment, interviews, hiring actions, workforce development, mentoring, training, and equipping to grow and sustain the branch.

You will be responsible for assisting Leads, Managers, and Branch Heads in decisions regarding autonomous capabilities, software research, development, technology, systems, enablers, designs, test and evaluation planning, execution, and analysis.

You will ensure collaboration exists between WFC and Program Offices for the development and acquisition of hardware/software for autonomous systems.

You will coordinate development work with various agencies and offices across the Naval Research and Development Establishment, including warfare centers, Navy labs, government program offices, research organizations, academia, and industry.

You will maintain an effective relationship with sponsors and customers to translate customer requirements into effective planning and product development, employment, and sustainment.

You will oversee the preparation of Statements of Work, Plans of Action and Milestones, and Cost Estimates to ensure all tasks are aligned.

You will execute and manage multiple value streams while meeting schedule, cost and technical requirements.

Qualifications

This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled by a General Engineer (0801-series) or a Computer Scientist (1550-series) depending upon the qualifications of the candidate. Applicants in positions with occupational series other than those listed (0801 and 1550) may apply; however, you must apply directly to the series listed in this vacancy that is most applicable to your qualifications. Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the ND-4 (GS-12/13 equivalency) grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Software engineering and development providing autonomous solutions and capabilities for Navy unmanned surface vehicles/vessels, which includes software architecture, coding, simulation, integration, provisioning, troubleshooting. This also includes technical management of the same, overseeing software development, task management across a team, and providing software engineering leadership for the program offices and senior stakeholders. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf AND https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1500/computer-science-series-1550/ Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.

Evaluations

When the application process is complete, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and application package, along with your supporting documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following competencies: ACCOUNTABILITY DEVELOPING OTHERS ORAL COMMUNICATION PARTNERING SYSTEMS ENGINEERING WRITTEN COMMUNICATION This recruitment will utilize the following technical assessment tools: Structured Resume Review and Structured Interview. You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. All eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

How to apply Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Complete resume. Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Resumes are restricted to no more than 2 pages. Illegible/unreadable resumes will not be considered. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week if experience was less than full time (35-40 hours per week), pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. TIP: A good way to ensure you include all essential information is to use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS to create your resume. 2. Documentation that supports all of the claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire Failure to submit a complete application package will result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. Your complete application must be received by 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 09/09/2026to receive consideration. Applications received after 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 09/09/2026 will generally not be accepted. If more than one resume is received, only the last resume received and processed will be reviewed. Please do not submit multiple resumes. For additional information on viewing your application status, click https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. Do not email or send hard copy resumes/applications to the Contact Information or Agency Information listed in this vacancy announcement. All resumes/applications received at the addresses listed in the Contact Information or Agency Information will be destroyed and will not be considered for this vacancy announcement. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that all information in their resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documents are legible and accurate. Human Resources will not modify a resume or change an applicant's answer to a question, even upon request.

Other information This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program. Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments. During the application process you will have the ability to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions in the local commuting area. Depending on the hiring organization and the position being filled, job requirements (e.g., security clearance, travel, drug testing, financial disclosure filing, bargaining unit status, etc.) may vary. Other hiring managers filling similar positions may offer relocation expense reimbursement and/or may offer recruitment incentives for new employees, depending on funding availability and in accordance with policy. If you opt-in and are referred on a certificate, your resume will be available to other hiring managers for 180-days from the date the job announcement closes. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation. ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category (score 85) or higher. ICTAP candidates must provide copies of all of the following documentation at the time of application: 1) agency notice; 2) most recent performance appraisal; and 3) most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location. Applicants who do not provide this documentation will not receive consideration as an ICTAP candidate. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/ Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position. This position is subject to an initial drug screening, and random testing thereafter. A negative drug test result must be received by HR within 30 calendar days after the EOD (i.e., start date). The selectee's inability to successfully pass; or refusal to conduct the test may result in: 1) the tentative or final job offer being withdrawn during the recruitment process; or 2) subsequently being removed from Federal service for failure to meet a condition of employment. You may be required to sign a "Drug Test Statement of Understanding" if you are selected for this position.