Engineering Technician

Summary

This position is located in the Additivie Manufacturing Program of Healthcare Technology Management at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in North Charleston, SC.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Performs assignments typically dealing with the three-dimensional (3D) production, engineering of assigned items, and components as well as equipment maintenance and troubleshooting; Designs shape, size, and mechanical aspects of assigned items and identifies support structure options in terms of feasibility for 3D printing; Identifies printing materials, machine parameters, cost, and post-processing for 3D printed items; Computes loads, stresses, strength, and other features; Coordinates with engineers, scientists, and researchers for more theoretical, analytical or specialized approaches to problems and to integrate technical efforts; Performs fit analysis of complex assemblies using the Computer Aided Design (CAD) system; Determines the method, proper model orientation, and support structure required to achieve the desired technical characteristics for 3D components; Provides design coordination for engineers and technical staff using CAD models; Establishes production plans, quality control processes, and cost estimates for 3D prints; Maintains a thorough knowledge of operational and software capabilities for 3D scanning and printing; Coordinates with engineers and technical staff to prepare complete final CAD design; Visits work areas to evaluate item progress and quality; Develops and monitors processes and planning instructions and recommends possible solutions to minimize production and post-processing schedule; Provides recommendations for acceptance/rejection of 3D printed items on a case by case basis; Designs, sets up, and tests items/systems during the research and development, production, and sustainment phases; Evaluates product requirements and related data to make recommendations on alternative approaches and execution; Modifies existing products or prototypes, designs of applicable quality test processes, or complete fabrications of systems to meet customer requirements; Performs related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized. Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: One year of specialized experience supervising, leading, or performing work involving applying a practical knowledge of the methods and techniques of engineering or architecture; and the construction, application, properties, operations, and limitations of engineering systems, processes, structures, machinery, devices, and materials. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-10 grade level in Federal service. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include technical work in drafting, surveying construction estimating, physical science, mathematics, aerospace, architecture, chemicals, electrical or mechanical systems, mining, petroleum, or nuclear systems. Experience in a trade or craft may be credited as specialized experience when the work provided intensive knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, methods, and precedents. Examples are trade positions with substantial developmental, test, or design responsibilities such as a planner and estimator who analyzed designs for production purposes, or an instrument maker or model maker who performed design or development work on fabricated devices. This experience must be detailed in your resume to receive credit. ~OR~ Successful completion of three full years of graduate education or a PhD with a major study that is directly related to the position. One year of full-time graduate education is 18 semester hours unless otherwise specified by the school. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study. Transcripts required. ~OR~ An equivalent combination of specialized experience and graduate education as described above that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of the position. Experience must be detailed in your resume and transcripts required. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.