Summary
The Principal Director (PD) for Advanced Materials will act as the Department-wide, Department of Defense (DoD) technical and oversight lead, advise the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), Deputy Chief Technology Officer for Science and Technology, (DCTO(S&T)), and DoD leadership, on all relevant research and engineering matters in the emerging critical technology priority area of Advanced Materials stemming from the National Defense Strategy.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
- Federal employees – Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
- Federal employees – Excepted service
Current excepted service federal employees.
Clarification from the agency
This job announcement is opened to all qualified U.S. Citizens, Current Federal Employees, and Former Federal Employees.
Duties
The major duties and responsibilities of the Principal Director, Advanced Materials will include, but are not limited to:
- Aims to help build capability for the future force by identifying critical mineral, material and technology and prototyping opportunities to the Department.
- Leads the Advanced Materials effort to DoD activities, secures innovative technology that exists today in the commercial technology sector in the hands of the warfighter, and works to get more entrepreneurs and start-ups interested in applying their technology to defense problems.
- Identifies and fosters materials and technologies from non-traditional sources that could contribute to the continued technological superiority of U.S. forces. Employs innovative approaches to adopt such technologies including execution of time-sensitive acquisitions, merit-based prize competitions, incubator partnerships, and targeted Research and Development grants.
- Designs and executes programs to bring together warfighters and industry technologist to understand material novel applications and their potential impact on tactical problem sets.
- Provides independent programmatic and technical advice in relations with industry, academia, other government agencies and international and foreign organizations on matters pertaining to research and development within all areas of Advanced Materials.
- Builds coalitions to support the development of future force capabilities by bringing together entrepreneurs, technologists, and warfighters to work on specific military needs. Assesses on-going research and development activities in the area of Advanced Materials (academic, government or industry) and identifies opportunities to resource and/or accelerate project that could result in warfighting.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
- You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
- In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
- Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on07/31/2023
- The individual selected will be required to file an ‘Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Mandatory Technical Qualifications.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS: All applicants must submit written statements (narrative format) of accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. You must address each technical qualification separately. You are required to respond to all of the technical qualifications. If you fail to do so, you will be rated as ineligible. Please limit your written statements to no more than two pages per technical qualification.
1. Demonstrated knowledge of cutting-edge science and technology research and development to include the ability to assess foreign technology developments and impact upon national and departmental programs, capabilities and initiatives. To include extensive knowledge across a broad spectrum of Advanced Materials research and technology disciplines.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of research and development and acquisition processes, including the budget and acquisition processes in accordance with the established guidelines and processes of the Military Departments and Defense Agencies, a large federal entity, or the organizational equivalent within industry. Ability to assimilate new concepts and analyze these concepts for military applications.
3. Demonstrated experience leading collaborative program and technical studies involving cost, schedule, risk, and performance of complex architectures against threat capabilities evolving over time with demonstrated experience building consensus within DoD, the Intelligence Community, Services, Combatant Commands or organizational equivalent within industry to solve problems of common interest.
Education
THIS POSITION HAS AN EDUCATION REQUIREMENT (TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE PROVIDED):
THIS POSITION IS AN INTERDISCPLINARY POSITION: 0801 SERIES – GENERAL ENGINEERING / 1301 SERIES – GENERAL PHYSICAL SCIENCE
To qualify for the 0801 SERIES:
A Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor’s degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board’s eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
Note: An applicant who meets the basic requirements as specified in A or B above, except as noted under B.1., may qualify for positions in any branch of engineering unless selective factors indicate otherwise.
Qualifications standard for all Professional Engineering Positions can be found here: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf.
To qualify for the 1301 SERIES:
A. Degree: physical science, engineering, or mathematics that included 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science such as mechanics, dynamics, properties of materials, and electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience education equivalent to one of the majors shown in A above that included at least 24 semester hours in physical science and/or related engineering science, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Additional information
Applications MUST be submitted through USAJobs.
Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 07/31/2023
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Your application will be evaluated and a certificate of best qualified candidates will be issued to the selecting official. The selecting official may interview the best qualified candidates before making a selection. Expect the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
- Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.
1. Resume – In addition to your written statements addressing the Mandatory Technical Qualification(s), and other qualifications as applicable, submit a resume or any other written format you choose to describe your qualifications, not to exceed five pages. Applicants typically provide the following information:
- Vacancy Announcement number ST-11995150-23-SD
- Full name, email and mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
- Educational information including the name, city, and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://http://www.edu.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
- Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duties and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, duration of employment, and salary
- Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): A narrative statement specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification. Statement should not exceed two pages per MTQ.
3. College Transcripts – Must provide a copy of transcripts or degrees in your application package. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. If selected, an official/sealed transcript will be required prior to appointment.
DO NOT SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.
- How to Apply
TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION THROUGH USAJOBS: In order to expedite the review of your application, you must submit a complete online application package to include the Resume and the Mandatory Technical Qualifications. To apply online, please select the ‘Apply Online’ button at the bottom of this announcement. Please note: your online resume may not be a complete application. Be sure to carefully read this announcement to see if additional information is required and how it should be submitted.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php? title=Alternate_Application_Information
Agency contact information
Senior Executive Services
Email
whs.pentagon.hrd.mbx.semo-job-application-assistant@mail.mil
Address
Office of the USD for Research and Engineering Human Resources Directorate 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 US
Next steps
After all application packages have been received, we will review your application to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Those considered highly qualified may undergo an interview process. A final interview with the selecting official, reference checks and other inquiries may be made prior to appointment. In addition, you will be subject to screening to ensure there is no adverse information that could affect your ability to be placed in the position. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement.
- Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
1. Resume – In addition to your written statements addressing the Mandatory Technical Qualification(s), and other qualifications as applicable, submit a resume or any other written format you choose to describe your qualifications, not to exceed five pages. Applicants typically provide the following information:
- Vacancy Announcement number ST-11995150-23-SD
- Full name, email and mailing address, and day and evening telephone numbers
- Educational information including the name, city, and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://http://www.edu.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html
- Information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duties and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, duration of employment, and salary
- Information about honors, awards, and special accomplishments
2. Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs): A narrative statement specifically addressing each mandatory technical qualification. Statement should not exceed two pages per MTQ.
3. College Transcripts – Must provide a copy of transcripts or degrees in your application package. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. If selected, an official/sealed transcript will be required prior to appointment.
DO NOT SUBMIT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Extraneous materials such as award certificates will not be considered.
How to Apply
TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION THROUGH USAJOBS: In order to expedite the review of your application, you must submit a complete online application package to include the Resume and the Mandatory Technical Qualifications. To apply online, please select the ‘Apply Online’ button at the bottom of this announcement. Please note: your online resume may not be a complete application. Be sure to carefully read this announcement to see if additional information is required and how it should be submitted.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php? title=Alternate_Application_Information
Agency contact information
Senior Executive Services
whs.pentagon.hrd.mbx.semo-job-application-assistant@mail.mil
Address
Office of the USD for Research and Engineering Human Resources Directorate 4800 Mark Center Drive Alexandria, VA 22350 US
Next steps
After all application packages have been received, we will review your application to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Those considered highly qualified may undergo an interview process. A final interview with the selecting official, reference checks and other inquiries may be made prior to appointment. In addition, you will be subject to screening to ensure there is no adverse information that could affect your ability to be placed in the position. You should expect to hear back on the outcome of your application within 90 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Fair & Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request