Engineering Jobs in the Federal Government

NASA engineers make make spec modificationsIt was federal engineers who:

  • Made it possible for humankind to travel in space and for spacecraft to explore the universe
  • Planned and completed the reconstruction of damaged proportions of the Pentagon within one year of the attack
  • Arrested a cholera epidemic in India and developed wastewater treatment systems in Third World countries
  • Developed hydroelectric power and new methods of flood control on the nation’s rivers

Many Federal Agencies Offer Attractive Bonuses and Accelerated Promotions

Federal agencies are increasingly offering bonuses and promotion programs for new employees that rival those of the private sector.

  • Recruitment Bonuses: Agencies may pay a recruitment bonus of up to 25% of the base salary to a new employee if the position is hard to fill
  • Relocation Bonuses: Agencies may pay a relocation bonus of up to 25% of base pay to an employee who must relocate for the position
  • Accelerated Promotions: Agencies may offer a one-time accelerated promotion for entry level hires

Examples of these types of benefits in practice include:

  • The National Nuclear Security Administration’s Future Leaders Program offers a recruitment bonus of $6,000 and GS employees may receive an accelerated promotion after the first six months of employment.
  • At the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office new entry level Patent Examiners are eligible for a one-time accelerated promotion after six months.
  • Candidates who enter the Professional Development Program with the Federal Highway Administration will be offered travel and relocation assistance to cover their initial move. Recipients of this assistance must agree to commit a minimum of one year of service.

Job Profiles

Here are examples of recent job openings. Explore more and apply now at USA Jobs.

Aerospace Technology (AST) - General Engineer at NASA

  • Salary Range: $56,445 - $87,943
  • Duty Locations: Houston, TX and Las Cruces, NM
  • Summary: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the world's leader in space and aeronautics is always seeking outstanding scientists, engineers, and other talented professionals to carry forward the great discovery process that its mission demands.
  • Major Duties: Coordinate and collaborate with others such as project managers, research engineers, hardware engineers, managers, and others on standard design or simulation requirements. Participate in the specifications, acceptance testing, and evaluation of technology, equipment, or systems components. Serve as project engineer for projects of limited scope, such as those that require minor adaptation of existing methods and techniques.

Electronics Engineer at the Department of Transportation

  • Salary Range: $31,100 - $56,400
  • Duty Locations: Many vacancies throughout the nation
  • Summary: Join the U.S. Department of Transportation in meeting the challenges of the 21st Century, shaping the future of the organization, and advancing the best transportation system in the World.
  • Major Duties: Install and maintain electronic equipment and lighting aids associated with facilities and services required for aviation navigation to assure a reliable, safe, and smooth flow of air traffic. Assist in the design, development and evaluation of new types of electronic equipment.

Civil Engineer at the Department of Energy

  • Salary Range: $58,811 - $85,279
  • Duty Locations: New York City, NY and Chicago, IL
  • Summary: Winning more R&D awards than any private sector organization and twice as many as all other federal agencies combined, the U.S. Department of Energy is the nation's top sponsor of research and development in fields such as alternate fuel vehicles, energy efficiency, gene research, supercomputers and microelectronics.
  • Major Duties: Inspect engineering evaluation and analysis of non-federal hydroelectric projects to insure the safety of the projects and compliance with the terms of the license, the provisions of the Federal Power Act and the Commission regulations. Review and perform evaluations and analyses; and prepare engineering reports to establish and document the dam safety, public safety, and environmental and license compliance of the Commission hydroelectric projects.

Patent Examiner (Electrical and Computer Engineering) at the Patent and Trademark Office

  • Salary Range: $34,548 - $101,421
  • Duty Locations: Alexandria, VA
  • Summary: Protect intellectual property rights and prevent products from copyright infringement or forgery. Patent and Trademark Office Patent Examiners review patent applications and assess patentability of inventions.
  • Major Duties: Review patent applications to determine whether they comply with basic format and legal requirements, research similar prior inventions and technologies and compare to invention claimed in new patent application, communicate examination findings to inventors.

Mechanical Engineer at the Department of the Army

  • Salary Range: $51,271 - $65,704
  • Duty Locations: Ft Riley & Manhattan, KS
  • Summary: Civilian employees serve a vital role in supporting the Department of the Army’s mission. They provide the skills that are not readily available in the military, but crucial to support military operations. Army Corps of Engineers of the Army integrates the talents and skills of its military and civilian members to form a Total Army.
  • Major Duties: Prepare various types of cost estimates to serve as a basis for positions relative to change orders and/or modification actions. Analyze and break down plans and shop drawings. Compare cost estimates with contractor’s proposals and analyzes differences. Negotiate agreements for contractual effect of change orders or modifications. Make engineering studies and analysis of recommendations.

Job Opportunities at National Laboratories

In addition to many job opportunities in the federal government agencies, students with advanced degrees in engineering can also find opportunities at National Laboratories. National Laboratories are funded by the government (e.g., Department of Energy) but operated by non-governmental private firms or universities. They are world-renowned research and development centers with a tradition of pursuing knowledge at the frontiers of science and a long history of excellence in a range of fields, including the basic sciences, applied energy research, and weapons-related technologies. Below are the major National Laboratories. Visit the respective Web sites for information on job and career opportunities.

Major National Labratories

Federal Jobs by the Numbers

Number of Engineering Positions by Field

Field
 Full-time and Permanent (FTP) Positions
Electronics Engineering
18,725
General Engineering
15,404
Engineering Technician
14,459
Civil Engineering
10,109
Mechanical Engineering
9,495
Electronics Technician
8,192
Aerospace Engineering
4,160
Source: Fedscope 12/06

Percentage of Engineering Positions by Region

engineering jobs

Source: Fedscope 12/06

Number of Engineering Positions and Anticipated Openings by Agency

Agency
FTP Engineering Positions Anticipated Openings 2007-2009
Department of Defense
78,052* 7,652
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
9,014 807
Department of Transportation
5,420* 900
Department of Agriculture
3,456* -
Department of Energy
3,003* 403
Department of Interior
2,778* 36
Environmental Protection Agency
2,043* 120
Department of Veterans Affairs
1,963* -
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
1,360* 550
Department of Commerce
1,457 * 65
Source: Where the Jobs Are, National Academy of Public Administration and Partnership for Public Service, 2007
* Source: Fedscope 12/06
** Reported by organization
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