Telework eligibleFederal

Physical Scientist, AST, Science Program Management (Direct Hire)

Headquarters, NASA · National Aeronautics and Space Administration

General Physical Science

Salary
$147,945–$197,200/year
Grade
15
Work location
Telework eligible · Huntsville, Alabama; Edwards AFB, California; Moffett Field, California +8 more
Schedule
Full-time
Posted
Oct 9, 2026
Apply by
Oct 16, 2026
Category
General Physical Science

Apply on USAJOBS →

Source: USAJOBS. Applications happen on the original posting, not on this site.

Summary

As a Physical Scientist (AST, Science Program Management) with the Astrophysics Division, you will ensure alignment of technology investments with the Division's strategic vision and co-develop a long-term technology roadmap with the Astrophysics Chief Technologist and Division staff. You will also engage with Technologists across the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and other government agencies to identify opportunities for Astrophysics and enhance the alignment of NASA investments.

Duties

Engage with stakeholders across and outside NASA; colleagues in the Astrophysics Division; and technology providers in academia, commercial, and nonprofit sectors to identify technology related opportunities for the astrophysics community.

With the Astrophysics Division Chief Technologist, lead the development of a multi-horizon technology roadmap and technology development and maturation strategy to ensure that Astrophysics Division investments are appropriately prioritized.

Work with the Astrophysics Program Offices to develop and maintain a technology gaps list that is closely tied to NASA-funded strategic missions and initiatives.

With the Astrophysics Division Chief Technologist, lead and support technology-related reviews, assessments, and mission concepts.

With the Astrophysics Division Chief Technologist, lead the implementation of opportunities for technology development and maturation, including solicitation preparation, proposal reviews, program execution, and portfolio reviews.

Support Astrophysics technology outreach to ensure knowledge sharing within NASA, with external technologists and scientists, and with the general public.

Support technology program budget development for the annual Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) cycle.

Support NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) technology reviews, assessments, and other programmatic needs.

Education

Basic Education Requirement: You must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree with a major in one of the following: a) Engineering from a college or university that has ABET accredited engineering programs b) Physical Science, Mathematics, Life Science or other field of Science c) Computer Science that included 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of course work in any combination of mathematics, statistics and computer science with at least half of those hours in mathematics and statistics courses that included differential and integral calculus; and that provided an in-depth knowledge of theoretical and practical applications of computer science, including digital computer system architecture and system software organization, the representation and transformation of information structures, and the theoretical models for such representations and transformations. If you did not complete a qualifying bachelor's degree, you may be eligible if you have obtained a graduate degree in an AST qualifying field, as listed above. Degrees in engineering technology are not considered qualifying for this position. Engineering degrees earned within the United States: Engineering degrees earned within the United States must be from a college or university that has at least one ABET accredited engineering program. To find out if a school has at least one ABET accredited program, please visit http://www.abet.org. Engineering degrees earned outside the United States: Engineering degrees earned outside the United States must be recognized by a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs. MRAs recognize the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit, https://www.abet.org/global-presence/mutual-recognition-agreements/is-your-program-recognized/. Science and other related degrees earned within the United States: Science and other related degrees must have been awarded from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. Science and other related degrees earned outside the United States: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs. These education credentials must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. All degrees must have been received in the year of, or any year subsequent to the original date of accreditation.

How you will be evaluated

Direct Hire Authority: These positions will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and veterans' preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see: OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet. Veterans: Under the provisions of Direct Hire Authority, veterans' preference does not apply. However, applicants who are eligible for veterans' preference are encouraged to include that information in their application and submit supporting documentation (i.e. DD-214, or other substantiating documents). For more information please see: Veterans' Preference information on the FedsHireVets website. You will be evaluated for this position based on how well you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. To determine your qualifications and referral status, we may review your resume and supporting documentation and compare it against your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or assessment questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Decision Making Grants Management Oral Communication Problem Solving Space Physics Self-Management (Achievement) Teamwork Technical Competence To preview the application questionnaire, click on the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12966314 NASA considers paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. NASA will not ask you to disclose criminal history record information during the application process or before we make a conditional/tentative offer of employment. If you apply for this position and are selected, NASA will conduct a suitability/security background investigation after you accept a tentative job offer. If you feel you are asked to disclose your criminal history before you accept a tentative offer and wish to file a complaint within 30 days, please contact: [email protected].

About this listing

Headquarters, NASA has 3 open listings on the site: all telework eligible. This one is telework eligible, based in Huntsville, Alabama and 10 other locations. See all Headquarters, NASA listings, or read what fully remote and telework eligible mean.

Advertised pay is $147,945 to $197,200 a year. That covers GS-15 on the General Schedule, where pay also depends on step and locality; how GS pay works.

This announcement is open for 7 days, from Oct 9, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026. Among currently open General Physical Science postings, the typical advertised window is about 8 days. As of Oct 15, 2026, it closes in 1 day.

Who can apply: the public (U.S. citizens). The announcement's "This job is open to" section has the exact eligibility rules.

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