Elevate Aviation Safety: Becoming a Computer Scientist at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The airspace above us is a complex, hyper-connected network of commercial flights, private transport, and emerging technologies like autonomous systems and space vehicles. Maintaining order, efficiency, and—above all—safety within this system is a massive technological challenge. At the heart of this effort is the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency responsible for ensuring the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world.

To keep pace with the rapid advancement of modern flight, the FAA relies heavily on state-of-the-art software systems. The agency is currently seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented Computer Scientist to join its Safety Support Tools Team (AJI-3340) in Washington, D.C. This position, paid under the competitive FAA Core Compensation Plan, offers an incredible pathway for experienced software engineers and systems experts to advance their careers while directly serving the public interest.

About the Agency: Working at the Federal Aviation Administration

At the FAA, innovation is not just a buzzword; it is a necessity. The sky is no longer the limit as the agency enters a new era of aviation and aerospace. Significant modern investments are driving research and development in fields such as autonomous flight vehicles, eco-friendly electric propulsion, solar-powered long-endurance aircraft, and commercial space flight.

With a diverse workforce of over 44,000 specialists spread across the nation, the FAA spans more than 120 unique occupations. From air traffic controllers and safety inspectors to engineers, researchers, and computer scientists, the team works in unison to keep millions of passengers safe every day. Joining the FAA means entering a workplace that values diversity, continuous professional growth, and the pursuit of technological excellence.

Job Responsibilities: Maintaining and Modernizing the National Airspace System (NAS)

As a Computer Scientist within the Safety Support Tools Team (AJI-3340), you will tackle varied and intellectually challenging software tasks. Under the general guidance of a manager or senior technical specialist, you will contribute directly to the design, integration, testing, and upkeep of National Airspace System (NAS) software.

Key responsibilities of this role include:

Software Engineering & Design: Developing software source code to build, fix, or enhance the operational capabilities of critical aviation safety systems.
Integration & Evaluation: Leading and assisting in complex independent software engineering studies to gauge the overall effectiveness of existing systems and proposed upgrades.
Modern Programming Languages: Leveraging hands-on experience in languages like Oracle databases, JavaScript, and PHP to maintain clean, scalable codebases.
Root Cause Analysis: Analyzing technical issues to trace system bugs back to their source, creating and deploying modifications, and restoring operational capabilities.
Resource Management: Planning and managing timelines and resources allocated for minor and major project milestones.
Collaboration & Advising: Coordinating with internal and external technical stakeholders and providing technical guidance to junior-level developers.

Requirements & Educational Qualifications

Because this is a highly specialized technical position within a federal safety agency, applicants must satisfy strict professional and educational prerequisites.

Specialized Experience

Candidates must show at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H or FG/GS-11 grade level. This experience must be directly related to the duties of this role and prove that you possess the advanced knowledge needed to write, fix, and integrate system code.

Positive Education Requirement (1550 Occupational Series)

This position requires a formal degree in Computer Science or a closely related field. Candidates must submit official or unofficial college transcripts by the closing date of the application.

Accredited Institutions: All degrees must be earned from institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Foreign Education: If your degree was earned outside the United States, it must be evaluated by an approved private credentialing service to establish equivalence to a U.S. degree.
Exceptions: If you are a current or former federal employee already classified in the 1500 occupational series, you do not need to upload transcripts, provided you upload an SF-50 confirming your classification.

Salary Overview & Core Compensation

The FAA operates under its own core compensation plan rather than the traditional General Schedule (GS) system. This pay band model provides competitive salary scales, locality pay adjustments, and performance-based progression.

Position Category	Pay Band / Grade	Minimum Annual Salary	Maximum Annual Salary	Location
Computer Scientist (AJI-3340)	FV-I (Equivalent to GS-11/12/13)	$103,604	$160,571	Washington, D.C.

Note: The final salary offer within this range will depend on the candidate's verified experience, qualifications, and federal salary history.

Comprehensive Federal Benefits

Working for the FAA comes with a robust and highly desirable federal benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial future, and work-life balance:

Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension plan, plus the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
Health Coverage: Access to excellent health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance programs, with the government covering a substantial portion of the premiums.
Generous Paid Time Off: Accrual of annual leave (vacation time), separate sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays each year.
Work-Life Balance: Telework eligibility depending on operational needs, flexible spending accounts, and access to wellness programs.

Pro-Tips for a Winning FAA Application

Applying for a federal job can be complex, but following these strategic tips will help ensure your package passes initial HR screenings:

Respect the Two-Page Resume Limit: The FAA strictly enforces a two-page maximum limit on resumes for this vacancy. Condense your history down to the absolute essentials, focusing heavily on your software engineering accomplishments.
Detail Every Job’s Metrics: For every previous employment entry, list your job title, employer, start and end dates (including month/year), and the number of hours worked per week. Omitting these details can lead to an automatic finding of ineligibility.
Integrate KSAs Naturally: Do not submit a separate document for Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). Instead, weave detailed, concrete examples of your technical capabilities (e.g., how you optimized an Oracle database or refactored a JavaScript tool) directly into your resume's bullet points.
Verify Your SF-50: If you are an internal federal employee, your SF-50 must clearly show blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 to prove your grade and series eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can non-citizens apply for this Computer Scientist role?

No. This position is restricted exclusively to United States citizens.

Q: What is the exact close date for this application?

Applications must be fully submitted via the online system by August 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Q: Is there a probationary period?

A standard one-year probationary period may be required for newly appointed individuals.

Q: Does this position require a security clearance?

While a formal national security clearance is not required, the position requires a favorable adjudication of a Level 5 Moderate Risk Public Trust background investigation prior to official appointment.

If you are a passionate software specialist who wants to apply their computer science skills to highly meaningful public-interest systems, this Computer Scientist role within the FAA is the perfect fit. By joining the Safety Support Tools Team, you will keep the skies safe, modernize aging infrastructures, and gain access to unparalleled federal benefits and pay bands. Update your resume, gather your transcripts, and submit your application before the August 10, 2026, deadline to take your tech career to new heights.

Why This Computer Scientist Job Matters

Pioneer the next generation of aviation safety software and help secure the skies with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Computer Scientist Job Overview

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is searching for a highly skilled, analytical, and forward-thinking Computer Scientist to join its Safety Support Tools Team (AJI-3340) in Washington, D.C. Operating under the Policy & Performance division within the Safety Analysis Group, this internal position offers a unique chance for current or former federal employees to shape the foundational systems powering the National Airspace System (NAS). In this role, you will design, test, modify, and integrate complex software architectures utilizing critical development tools such as Oracle, JavaScript, and PHP, directly impacting the safety and efficiency of global aviation.

Requirements for Computer Scientist

Must be a United States citizen.
Must possess at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the FV-H or FG/GS-11 level in the federal service.
Specialized experience must include developing software source code to fix, enhance, or optimize system functionality.
Must meet positive education requirements for the 1550 Computer Science series and submit official or unofficial college transcripts.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Level 5 (Moderate Risk; Public Trust) background investigation.
Resumes are strictly limited to a maximum of two (2) pages; excess pages will not be evaluated.

Preferred Qualifications for Computer Scientist

Proficiency in program languages such as Oracle database systems, JavaScript, and Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP).
Extensive experience in software design, system integration, and testing/evaluating complex code within an enterprise environment.
Strong understanding of data structures, network protocols, mathematical analysis, statistics, and software engineering methodologies.
Proven capability in executing root cause analysis and implementing robust programmatic solutions to system issues.
Ability to write clear, concise functional software specifications and test plans.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive salary under the FAA Core Compensation Plan.
✓Comprehensive federal retirement system (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching.
✓Excellent health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance programs.
✓Generous paid annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
✓Telework-eligible position depending on agency policy and coordinator approval.
✓Access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and wellness initiatives.

💡 How to Apply Computer Scientist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Computer Scientist Job

Step 1: Thoroughly review the announcement details and verify your status against the internal-federal hiring path.
Step 2: Update your resume to focus on the 1550-series requirements, ensuring it does not exceed the strict 2-page limit.
Step 3: Collect your supporting documents, including your official or unofficial college transcripts and your most recent SF-50 (verifying your grade, series, and eligibility).
Step 4: Click the online application portal link to log in or create your profile on the FAA system.
Step 5: Complete the questionnaire, upload all required documents, and verify that your resume lists start/end dates and weekly hours worked for each position.
Step 6: Submit your complete package before the vacancy closing date of August 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

💡 General Tips

Adhere strictly to the two-page resume limit. The system and reviewers will not look past the second page, so condense your most impactful achievements efficiently.
Quantify your specialized experience. Ensure your resume explicitly describes how you developed, modified, and fixed software source code, noting the specific tools, languages, and methodologies used.
Never assume prior positions guarantee eligibility. You must clearly state your qualifying duties in your current work history to avoid being rated ineligible.
Double-check your SF-50 upload. FAA applicants must provide a copy of their SF-50 verifying blocks 15, 17, 18, 19, 22, and 24 to confirm their tenure, grade, and series of record.
Understand the KSA evaluation. The FAA has eliminated narrative KSA statements for initial screening, but your work history must provide clear examples that justify the KSA self-assessment answers you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to apply for this position?

This position is open to current or former federal employees eligible under the internal federal hiring search path. Non-citizens are not eligible to apply.

What is the educational requirement for this role?

The Computer Scientist (1550 series) position has a positive education requirement. You must submit college transcripts by the closing date of the announcement to prove your qualifying coursework, unless you currently hold or previously held an FAA position in the 1500 occupational series (supported by an SF-50).

Does this job allow remote work or telework?

This position is eligible for telework as determined by agency policy and supervisor approval. However, it is not a fully remote position, and the primary work location is Washington, D.C.

Are there limits on what I can include in my resume?

Yes. Resumes are strictly limited to two (2) pages. Make sure your resume is concise, detailed, and targeted to the specialized experience required.

What is the background check requirement?

This is a Moderate Risk Public Trust (Level 5) position. The selected candidate will undergo a Minimum Background Investigation (MBI) before appointment.