Interdisciplinary Engineer / Psychologist Career Opportunity at Naval Air Systems Command

The Department of the Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is seeking an exceptional professional for an Interdisciplinary Engineer / Psychologist position based in Patuxent River, Maryland. This role places you at the intersection of human cognitive performance, engineering design, and advanced technology integration. As autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and complex avionics continue to evolve, understanding the interaction between human operators and advanced flight systems is vital to national security.

Positioned within the Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory (STRL) framework, this role offers competitive compensation within the DP-04 pay band, ranging from $102,415 to $158,322 per year.

---

About the Agency: Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)

Naval Air Systems Command provides full life-cycle support for naval aircraft, weapons, and complex airborne systems. Situated at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, NAVAIR's civilian workforce works alongside active-duty service members to deliver research, development, test, evaluation, engineering, and fleet support.

Working for NAVAIR means contributing to critical defense missions that safeguard military personnel and advance national security. Civilian personnel benefit from cutting-edge research laboratories, state-of-the-art simulation testing facilities, and robust professional development pathways.

---

Job Responsibilities & Operational Impact

As a Human Factors Specialist in this interdisciplinary role, you will be directly involved in assessing, modeling, and refining human-machine interfaces across naval flight programs. Key duties include:

• Human-Autonomy Teaming (HAT): Developing, testing, and evaluating how pilots and operators interact with automated and artificially intelligent technologies.
• System Modeling & Analysis: Applying mathematical modeling, computer simulations, operational sequence analyses, failure mode analyses, and link analyses to human-operated equipment.
• Usability & Workload Metrics: Utilizing metrics to measure human task performance, situational awareness, workload thresholds, system transparency, error tolerance, and trust in automated systems.
• Program Advisory: Delivering authoritative engineering and psychological recommendations to aviation program managers, helping balance performance, cost, and schedule metrics.
• Research & Development: Formulating innovative solutions to nonrecurring technological challenges in flight hardware and software design.

---

Detailed Qualification Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet specific education standards for either the Psychology (0180) or General Engineering (0801) occupational series, combined with relevant specialized experience.

1. Educational Prerequisites

• Psychology Track (GS-0180): A major or equivalent degree in psychology from an accredited college or university. (Note: Specializations in Clinical or Counseling psychology carry specific graduate degree requirements).
• Engineering Track (GS-0801): A bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program, OR a combination of education in calculus and five foundational engineering/physics subjects, OR professional registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) / Engineer in Training (EIT).

2. Specialized Experience

Applicants must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the DP-03 (GS-09/11) level in federal service. Essential experience includes:

1. Applying engineering or psychological methods to model systems using human operators.
2. Employing techniques in Human Factors Engineering (HFE) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
3. Testing autonomous technologies using situational awareness, workload, and trust metrics.
4. Providing program coordination and technological input for complex defense programs.

---

Salary Overview & Compensation Structure

This position falls under the STRL Pay Band system (DP-04 grade), offering broader pay ranges and performance-based advancement compared to the standard General Schedule (GS) scale.

Pay System	Equivalent GS Grades	Minimum Salary	Maximum Salary	Location
DP-04 Pay Band	GS-12 / GS-13 Level	$102,415	$158,322	Patuxent River, MD

Note: Compensation includes base salary and local locality adjustments associated with the Patuxent River operational area.

---

Civilian Employee Benefits

Department of the Navy civilians receive a comprehensive federal benefits package designed to support long-term financial security and health:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, alongside dental and vision options.
• Retirement System: Dual-tier retirement through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching up to 5%.
• Paid Time Off: 13 to 26 days of paid annual leave per year (based on service duration), 13 days of sick leave annually, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Life Insurance: Coverage through the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program.

---

Essential Application Guidelines

Applications for this position are evaluated under direct hiring guidelines. Follow these crucial steps to ensure your submission is valid:

1. Strict 2-Page Resume Limit: Your resume MUST NOT exceed 2 pages. Any application exceeding this limit or deemed illegible will be automatically disqualified.
2. Detailed Work History: List explicit start/end dates (MM/YYYY), hours worked per week, employer details, and federal series/grade if applicable.
3. Include Transcripts: Attach official or unofficial academic transcripts demonstrating fulfillment of the 0180 or 0801 educational standard.
4. Redact Sensitive Data: Remove Social Security Numbers and birthdates from attachments before emailing.
5. Direct Email Submission: Send your full package to [email protected] and [email protected] prior to the announcement deadline.

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where is the duty station located?

The position is located on-site at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Southern Maryland.

Is this position open to telework?

No. This position requires full-time, physical on-site performance due to sensitive equipment and project requirements.

Is a Top Secret clearance mandatory?

Yes. Selected candidates must successfully complete background investigations to acquire and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

---

If you possess an engineering or psychology background and are driven to optimize human operator interactions with state-of-the-art military aviation technologies, this position at NAVAIR provides an exceptional career path. Ensure your resume adheres strictly to the two-page constraint and submit your application package to the Navy HR representatives before the closing date.