Careers

Why Work for EL?   

NIST's Engineering Laboratory (EL) is one of the Nation's primary federal laboratories serving the manufacturing, construction, and building industries, with a focus on high-leverage, high-impact measurements and standards efforts to foster U.S. manufacturing and construction industry innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, improve building and fire safety, and reduce the environmental impact of buildings and manufacturing activities.  EL provides exciting opportunities in areas of national impact, access to excellent research facilities and work environment, exposure to top notch peers and mentors, and competitive benefits.  

EL's strategic goals include cyberphysical systems; disaster-resilience buildings, infrastructure, and communities; advanced manufacturing; and sustainable and energy-efficient, manufacturing, materials, and infrastructure.  EL also has specific statutory responsibilities for fire prevention and control, earthquake hazards reduction, windstorm impact reduction, and building and fire safety investigations.  

EL carries out mission-related measurement science research in

• Fire prevention and control
• Earthquake hazards reduction
• Windstorm impact reduction
• Building materials and structures
• Smart Grid
• Systems integration and engineering,
• Intelligent systems and control, robotics and automation,
• Cyber-physical systems
• Sustainability and energy efficiency
• Economic analysis and life cycle assessment

We urge you to browse our website and view the list of current NIST Vacancies announced on USAJobs.  We look forward to hearing from you! 

Engineering technicians

NIST Engineering Laboratory, Gaithersburg, MD USA

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Engineering Laboratory anticipates the need for an upcoming Engineering Technician, ZT-0802-II/III, for the Fire Fighting Technology Group in the Fire Research Division in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA.

An official vacancy announcement will open on USAJOBS.gov on October 22, 2024, and close on November 4, 2024. Applicants MUST apply online through USAJOBS.gov. To apply please click on this link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/815027500

More information about Fire Research at NIST can be found at fire.nist.gov. For any technical questions related to the job please contact Anthony Putorti at Anthony.putorti [at] nist.gov (Anthony[dot]putorti[at]nist[dot]gov).
 

JOB DESCRIPTION: 
Under close supervision, provides technical support to fire research and data collection activities through the machining, fabrication, installation, operation, and modification of experimental fixtures, structures, and specialized instrumentation for laboratory-scale and full-scale fire experiments in the laboratory, at off-site facilities, and in the field. Works with other technicians, engineers, and scientists daily on project teams to successfully achieve common group goals and mission.  Follows NIST safety and Hazard Review guidelines and activity and experiment standard operating procedures.  Provides suggestions to improve safety, quality, and efficiency to other technicians, engineers, and scientists.

This work will positively impact the ability of the Fire Research Division to conduct experimental studies that provide the data necessary to develop models and data sets to reduce the impact of unwanted fire on people, property, and the environment.

Please review the USAJOBS announcement for a complete description of the duties you will be completing.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: 
The salary range for this position is $45,146 to $97,925 per year. Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience.

The position is eligible for Alternate Work Schedule and Telework flexibilities. Additional information on Federal benefits can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/.

Please note that only U.S. citizens can be considered for this position, and this position is not eligible for full-time remote work (relocation would be required from outside the area).

The Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

For the ZT-II level: applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-04 grade level (ZT-I for NIST employees) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience in all the following:

1. Assisting colleagues in fabricating and assembling devices, mechanisms, machines, or laboratory apparatuses using prototype manufacturing processes, such as forming and shaping (forming brake, etc.), machining (turning, milling, etc.), and joining (welding, brazing, soldering, mechanical joining, etc.).

2. Assisting teammates in basic troubleshooting efforts on technical equipment, instruments, and/or software.

OR
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology; or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. At least 6 of the 24 semester hours must have been in drafting.

OR
A combination of education and experience.

For the ZT-III level: Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-08 grade level (ZT-II for NIST employees) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience in all the following:

1. Fabricating and assembling complex devices, mechanisms, machines, or laboratory apparatuses using manufacturing processes such as forming and shaping (forming brake, etc.), machining (turning, milling, etc.), and joining (welding, brazing, soldering, mechanical joining, etc.).

2. Performing troubleshooting efforts on mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, or technical instruments.

3. Working with a team to resolve technical challenges and complete complex technical projects.

OR
Two full years of graduate education.

OR
A master's degree related to the position.

OR
A combination of graduate education and specialized experience.