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Careers

Why Work for EL?   

NIST's Engineering Laboratory (EL) is one of the Nation's primary federal laboratories serving the manufacturing, construction, and building industries, with a focus on high-leverage, high-impact measurements and standards efforts to foster U.S. manufacturing and construction industry innovation, productivity, and competitiveness, improve building and fire safety, and reduce the environmental impact of buildings and manufacturing activities.  EL provides exciting opportunities in areas of national impact, access to excellent research facilities and work environment, exposure to top notch peers and mentors, and competitive benefits.  

EL's strategic goals include cyberphysical systems; disaster-resilience buildings, infrastructure, and communities; advanced manufacturing; and sustainable and energy-efficient, manufacturing, materials, and infrastructure.  EL also has specific statutory responsibilities for fire prevention and control, earthquake hazards reduction, windstorm impact reduction, and building and fire safety investigations.  

EL carries out mission-related measurement science research in

  • Fire prevention and control
  • Earthquake hazards reduction
  • Windstorm impact reduction
  • Building materials and structures
  • Smart Grid
  • Systems integration and engineering,
  • Intelligent systems and control, robotics and automation,
  • Cyber-physical systems
  • Sustainability and energy efficiency
  • Economic analysis and life cycle assessment

We urge you to browse our website and view the list of current NIST Vacancies announced on USAJobs.  We look forward to hearing from you! 

Safety Professional 

NIST Engineering Laboratory, Gaithersburg, MD USA

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Engineering Laboratory is seeking candidates for an upcoming Safety Professional/Safety Engineer, ZP-0803-IV, position at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland USA.

When the position is available, an official vacancy announcement will be posted on USAJOBS.gov. This announcement is also posted on the NIST Engineering Laboratory website at: https://www.nist.gov/el/about-el/careers.

Job Description:
The NIST Engineering Laboratory (EL) promotes U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology for engineered systems in ways that enhance economic security and improve quality of life. The EL mission is carried out and supported by approximately 270 federal research and support staff and approximately 170 associates and students. The Engineering Laboratory carries out a portfolio of multidisciplinary research programs and operates a wide range of laboratories and facilities to achieve impacts in three strategic goal areas:

The EL Safety Professional will provide technical safety expertise and coordinate the implementation and continuous improvement of overall safety management in EL. In partnership with the NIST Office of Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE), Division Safety Representatives (whose focus is implementation of safety in the EL Divisions), EL line managers and staff, and counterparts in other NIST organizations, the Safety Professional will:

  • Collaborate with EL management and staff to identify and address safety hazards, concerns, and issues.
  • Provide expert safety guidance and counsel covering various areas such as construction, demolition, structural testing, post-disaster response, field exercises, fire research, material handling (cranes/rigging), powered industrial trucks, welding, chemicals, robotics, and manufacturing.
  • Ensure EL’s adherence to safety programs and directives as stipulated by NIST OSHE, OSHA, EPA, and other applicable Federal regulations.
  • Contribute, in tandem with EL leadership, to devising safety metrics for the lab, tracking these metrics, and refining EL safety policies and objectives based on these measures.
  • Ensure timely completion of safety-related requirements and tasks while also aiding in disseminating safety requirements and insights gained.
  • Coordinate, create, and deliver safety training materials, or coordinate with external vendors to provide training, as needed.
  • Proactively identify best safety practices across NIST and peer institutions for adoption in EL.
  • Serve as a liaison to other NIST organizations to ensure efficient and consistent implementation of safety practices.
  • Aid with evaluating and enhancing the safety culture within EL.
  • Monitor, contribute to, and participate in safety inspections, assessments, and incident investigations aimed at addressing specific safety concerns.

Salary and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $117,962, to $181,216 per annum. Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience.

The position is eligible for Alternate Work Schedule and Telework flexibilities. However, due to the nature of the job responsibilities, the amount of allowable Telework is limited. Additional information on Federal benefits can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/.

Please note that only U.S. citizens can be considered for this position, and that this position is not eligible for full-time remote work (relocation would be required from outside the area). Relocation expenses may be considered.

Basic Requirements:
The position requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, technology, or physical science, in addition to at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience applying technical knowledge of safety principles, standards, regulations, practices, and analytical techniques. Previous and progressive safety experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, or construction setting preferred.

Candidates with Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and/or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certifications will be preferred. The position requires use of NIST-provided PPE such as safety glasses, safety shoes, hard hat, and respiratory protection in laboratory and field environments (depending on specific safety requirements). NIST-provided medical clearance will be required to wear respiratory protection.

Submission of Interest:
For consideration, please send a resume to ELHQjobs [at] nist.gov (ELHQjobs[at]nist[dot]gov) by February 29, 2024. In your submission cover letter/email, please let us know how you learned about this position.

The Department of Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Engineering technicians

NIST Engineering Laboratory, Gaithersburg, MD USA

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Engineering Laboratory anticipates the need for an upcoming Engineering Technician, ZT-0802-II/III, for the Fire Fighting Technology Group and the National Fire Research Laboratory in the Fire Research Division in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA. 

An official vacancy announcement will open on USAJOBS.gov on February 29, 2024, and close on March 14, 2024. Applicants MUST apply online through USAJOBS.gov. To apply, please click on this link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/778317400

More information about Fire Research at NIST can be found at fire.nist.gov. For any technical questions related to the job please contact Anthony Putorti at Anthony.putorti [at] nist.gov (Anthony[dot]putorti[at]nist[dot]gov)

JOB DESCRIPTION: 
Under close supervision, this position will provide technical support to fire research and data collection activities through the fabrication, installation, operation, and modification of experimental fixtures, structures, and specialized instrumentation for laboratory-scale and full-scale fire experiments in the laboratory, at off-site facilities, and in the field. 

You will work with other staff on project teams to successfully achieve common group goals and mission. This work will positively impact the ability of the Fire Research Division to conduct experimental studies that provide the data necessary to develop models and data sets to reduce the impact of unwanted fire on people, property, and the environment. 

Please review the USAJOBS announcement for a complete description of the duties you will be completing. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS: 
The salary range for this position is $45,146 to $97,925 per year. Exact compensation may vary based on skills and experience. 

The position is eligible for Alternate Work Schedule and Telework flexibilities. Additional information on Federal benefits can be found at https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-ingovernment/benefits/

Please note that only U.S. citizens can be considered for this position, and this position is not eligible for full-time remote work (relocation would be required from outside the area). 

The Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

For the ZT-II level: 
Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-04 grade level (ZT-I for NIST employees) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience in at least one of the following: 

  1. Assisting colleagues with assembling experimental apparatuses or test fixtures on portions or entire buildings composed of wood, concrete, and/or steel, supporting the construction of simple building mock-ups, and/or installing sensors. 
  2. Helping colleagues with basic troubleshooting on technical equipment, instruments, and/or software. 

OR 

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (a) with major study in an appropriate field of engineering, construction, or industrial technology; or (b) that included at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as engineering, engineering or industrial technology, construction, physics, drafting, surveying, physical science, or mathematics. At least 6 of the 24 semester hours must have been in drafting. OR A combination of education and experience. 

For the ZT-III level: 
Applicants must have at least one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-08 grade level (ZT-II for NIST employees) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience in at least two of the following: 

  1. Assisting colleagues with assembling experimental apparatuses or test fixtures on portions or entire buildings composed of wood, concrete, and/or steel, supporting the construction of simple building mock-ups, and/or installing sensors. 
  2. Performing troubleshooting on technical equipment, instruments, and/or software. 3. Working with teams to conduct basic experiments and collect data. 

OR 
Two full years of graduate education. 

OR 
A master's degree related to the position. 

OR 
A combination of graduate education and specialized experience.

 

Contacts

  • Engineering Laboratory
    (301) 975-5900
    100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8600
    Gaithersburg, MD 20899
Created February 10, 2010, Updated February 27, 2024