About this role
Job SummaryThis position is located within Healthcare Technology Management at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. The incumbent functions as the Engineering Technician, Additive Manufacturing Technician for the Additive Manufacturing Program. The Additive Manufacturing Program aligns with the initiatives of the VHA Innovation Ecosystem (IE).
QualificationsTo qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/08/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Troubleshoots, diagnoses, analyzes, and identifies system malfunctions to determine the source and cause of the problem; Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues; Identifies and analyzes problems; uses sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions; finds alternative solutions to complex problems; providing quality products; Uses machines, tools, or equipment effectively; and uses computers and computer applications to analyze and communicate information in the appropriate format. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and graduate level education in excess of the first year or 18 semester hours. 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/.
Major DutiesMajor duties include, but are not limited to: Performs various technical engineering, scanning, modeling, and analyzing tasks in support of Additive Manufacturing design, development, and production utilizing 3D printing technologies and other manufacturing techniques Serves as a product manufacturing technical expe1t and advisor for the development of additive manufactured components in accordance with new and changing technical requirements as well as understanding and complying to medical device manufacturing guidelines and regulations per FDA, ISO and AAMI standards. Designs shape, size structures and mechanical aspects of assigned items and identifies support structure options in te1ms of feasibility for 3D printing. Identifies printing materials and machine parameters to be used, as well as cost, and post-processing of 3D printed item. Computes loads, stresses, strength and other features; coordinates with engineers, scientists and researchers for more theoretical, analytical or specialized approaches to problems and for inter-relationships and integration of technical effo1ts. Provides design coordination for engineers and technical staff through the use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) models. Establishes production plans, in-process quality control and cost estimates in support of the 3D print. Establishes processes for development, production, and sustainment. Establishes quality assurance processes, process documentation/standard operating procedures; process control; quality control, quality acceptance test planning and conduct; destructive and nondestructive testing; and inspection. Serves as technical subject matter expert on additive manufacturing equipment and perf01ms maintenance and troubleshooting activities to maintain equipment's function per manufacturer's specifications. Completes training requirements as necessary to have a full understanding of the equipment's operational abilities. Serves as a technical consultant to staff engineers and supervisor for efficient and effective production/quality/manufacturing for programs of record and urgent need projects, with the majority of projects involving medically related models, products, or systems. Evaluates tasks independently with respect to product requirements and related data to make recommendations on alternative approaches and execution. Modifies existing products or prototypes, design of applicable quality test processes, or complete fabrication of systems to meet customer requirements. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:00am-3:30pm. Subject to change based on agency needs. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Engineering Technician/PD100550 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.