The position is an Electronics Engineer in the Air Traffic Safety Operations Oversight Division (AOV-200) of the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV). Responsible for collaborating and leading a variety of engineering tasks to support the oversight of the Air Traffic Organization (ATO).
Duties
The Electronics Engineer plans and accomplishes highly complex and challenging projects/programs and other work activities under the minimal direction of a manager, project/program manager, team leader, or more experienced engineer. Provides electronics engineering guidance and instructions on a range of issues related to risk assessments and technical reviews and impact on AOV.
Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of electronics engineering theories, principles, concepts, standards, and methods required to solve highly complex problems and evaluate the development and implementation of new systems or modifications to improve the reliability, maintainability, and safety of National Airspace System (NAS) systems, equipment, and facilities. Provides engineering analysis and support to the NAS by evaluating existing/proposed policies, standards, requirements, and objectives. Identifies the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Uses experience and knowledge of the NAS technical equipment, services, and operations used for air traffic control (i.e., power, surveillance, communication, automation, weather, and navigational aids equipment among others). Conducts AOVs surveillance activities involving NAS services and equipment operations. Compiles and analyzes events and incidents data from technical equipment, services, operations, and procedures used for air traffic control. Analyzes information/data and evaluates results for developing new concepts, systems, and innovative approaches to identify and resolve complex issues that often cross organizational boundaries.
As a principal technical engineer, may lead, conduct or participate in surveillance activities to measure and determine compliance with established orders, rules, procedures, and policies while promoting continued operational safety. Monitors safety data of assigned areas and recommends changes that will improve technical and operational safety. Assesses mitigation strategies relevant to the compliance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (IACO) and FAA documents and communicate technical information to diverse audiences.
Identifies, evaluates, and monitors information for potential risks within the engineering processes. Draws on experience using comparable situations and existing criteria to develop conclusions to resolve unusual problems and scenarios, and may create new solutions and policy interpretations as requires.
Uses knowledge of the NAS equipment, Technical Operations procedures and programs, and safety management system principles and programs to perform operational audits and assessments of the ATO and to ensure compliance with air traffic services safety standards and the ATO Safety Management System (SMS). Performs data research for developing criteria within approved guidelines to identify local and system trends, anomalies, and hazards by evaluating data and collaborating with counterparts in AOV, other Aviation Safety organizations, the ATO, and external entities. Analyzes and compiles data from events and incidents in the NAS. Addresses emerging safety risks with the ATOs workforce, and systems equipment in air traffic facilities, utilizing experience gained supporting the NAS in a wide variety of positions such as Airway Transportation Systems Specialists (ATSS), engineering services, flight check specialists, among others to prevent safety hazards.
Contacts are internal and external. Often represents FAA as a senior technical point of contact on projects, programs and other work activities. Communicates results to all levels internally (within an LOB/SO or across LOBs/SOs) and externally. Plays a lead role in drafting, reviewing, and editing reports or contractual documents for final approval prior to external distribution.