ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN(BALLISTICS)

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position advertised has been exempted from the federal civilian hiring freeze.

Current FBI employees are ineligible to apply if serving under the same conditions as that for which is advertised, including:

• Appointing organization (FBI)
• Type of position (full-time, part-time, etc.)
• Same or higher grade
• Duty location (city or state)
• Type of appointment (permanent, temporary, etc.)

Job Opening: 63568
Opening Date: March 2, 2026
Closing Date: March 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm (ET)

Job Title Engineering Technician (Ballistics)

Full Performance Level GS--13/14

Division Training

Unit Ballistics Research Facility

Location Huntsville, AL

Working Hours 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Flexible)

Job Type Full Time/Permanent

Who May Apply All U.S. Citizens

Number of Positions Available 1

Questions Email:

Salary
GS 13: $110,847.00--$144,102.00 w/Locality

GS:14: $130,987.00--$170,289.00 w/Locality

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

UNIT DESCRIPTION

Ballistics Research Facility:
We select the "best in class" material solutions for our personnel to provide unequaled research findings to our domestic and global partners so they can support their own operational needs. We drive the industry forward being an agent for positive change in the ammunition, weapons, and armor industry.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret clearance

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work requires some strenuous physical exertion and typically involves long periods of standing and/or frequent bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, stretching, and lifting objects up to 100 pounds in weight. Some work is sedentary.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Spends time in industrial situations which expose the Ballistician to potentially hazardous situations. These include regular use of firearms, repeated, protracted exposure to dangerously loud noises, exposure to lead contamination, work with gun powder, experimental potentially hazardous high-pressure munitions, exposure to bullet and target fragmentation, and work with pyrotechnic and/or explosive items. The work requires knowledge and skill in the use of extensive safety, occupational, and procedural precautions to control, reduce, eliminate, or prevent possible adverse effects from these potentially dangerous conditions.

MAJOR DUTIES

GS 13:

• Design, build, and maintain complex ballistic test weapons, fixtures, and instrumentation.
• Execute scientific tests using the following equipment - Ransom Machine Rests, Oehler Model 35 and 57 chronographs, Oehler Model 88 and 89 systems, Oehler Model 85 Ballistic Computer, rifle machine rest, Universal receiver, a variety of other machine rest, various testing fixtures, and other sophisticated and technical measuring devices such as digital linear gauge dial calipers, micrometers, oscilloscopes, charge amplifiers, scientific scales and balances, stereoscopic microscopes, environmental conditioning chambers, and other equipment as required.
• Specifies new or updated equipment as necessary. Handles and safely fires a variety of weapons to obtain test results using ballistic gelatin, or other media as required. Prepares, formulates, and uses ballistic gelatin according to specifications.
• Operates 35 mm single lens reflex cameras alone or in conjunction with microscope. Operates high speed digital video imagery equipment used to explore bullet performance and weapon cycling phenomena. Directs high speed video technicians as needed.
• Provides SME for instruction and information related to ballistics at the FBI Academy and offsite locations to police officers, SA of the FBI, personnel from other Governmental agencies, military installations, local, state, and foreign government personnel assigned to FBI laboratory, and other laboratories.
• Conduct equipment inspection to ensure technical integrity of the scientific process and, if deficiencies are detected, propose and initiate appropriate corrective action/repairs
• Assist in the design and implementation of ballistic research programs to include test protocols, test execution, test legitimacy, implementation of emerging technologies, and writing comprehensive and detailed reports, coupled with the methodology utilized, to support validity of research findings.
• Maintain quality communication skills with a variety of audiences as well as serving as a direct liaison to manufacturers and product providers.
• Resolve unforeseen issues, controversial problems and make repairs to technical equipment.

GS 14: In addition to the above duties for the GS 13:

• Manages and directs the activities of assigned area of specialization and functional area, which includes, but is not limited to, FBI body armor testing, approved pistols, shotguns, submachine guns, carbines, optics, sniper rifles, and the munitions issued for use with them.
• Serves as an expert consultant and advisor of ballistic matters to various FBI entities, numerous federal agencies, industry representatives, the military, and the law enforcement community. Plans, organizes, and executes a wide variety of highly complex projects that require a high level of technical ballistic expertise, using internal and external criteria to determine reliability and validity of research.
• Evaluates the feasibility of implementing new technologies with current ballistic research systems and tools. This includes leading the development, design, and implementation of research programs regarding ammunition and related products to meet needs as they arise.
• Reviews pertinent technical manuals to remain current with emerging technologies. Attends conferences and seminars relating to state-of-the art techniques and equipment. Works closely with vendors to gather information on equipment, specifications, costs, etc.
• Provides expert guidance and training to less experienced associates and employees and prepares them for higher level assignments. Teaches technically oriented in-service classes. Identifies internal budget needs through studies and long-range forecasting and submits recommendations to the supervisor.
• Conducts tests using the various types of equipment, fixtures, barriers and measuring devices. Identifies new or updated equipment as necessary.
• Serves as an expert consultant and advisor on test methods, measurements, and equipment to FBI officials, other federal law enforcement agencies, police departments, and the military. Provides liaison for the FBI to the firearms industry. Often, this is their sole contact with the FBI and as such must represent the FBI in a highly professional and technically competent manner.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EVALUATIONS

Please ensure that your specialized experience and requirements are clearly identifiable in your resume. Your application will be evaluated using the FBI's Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documents will be reviewed to verify that you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared against your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

If you are found minimally qualified, your application will move forward to additional phases of the review process.

The first five competencies/The competencies will be used in a Structured Resume Review to objectively evaluate applicant resumes. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather you must describe in your resume how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the competencies identified below. Your resume should demonstrate that you possess the following competencies.

Competencies:

• Collaboration
• Initiative
• Organizing & Planning
• Problem Solving/Judgment
• Testing and Evaluation
• Ammunition and Explosives
• Engineering and Technology

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume.

Specialized Experience (SE)

GS-13: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

SE is defined as follows:

• Gunsmithing in various weapon systems including pistols, carbines, and precision rifles
• Operating technical and machine equipment including CNCs, mills, lathes, and 3D printers
• Design and construction of custom fixtures for testing analyses.

GS-14: In addition to the above specialized experience applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.

SE is defined as follows:

• Establish liaison with other law enforcement entities, state and local authorities, and technical representatives during normal and crisis response situations.
• Knowledge of engineering concepts and skills to develop new methods, approaches, and procedures to adapt or modify equipment to meet the FBI's extensive and highly complex operational needs and trouble shoot and resolve technical issues.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

Utilizing the Resume Builder, outline your relevant work experience and associated start and end dates. Uploaded resumes will not be reviewed or used for qualification purposes.

A complete assessment questionnaire

Other supporting documents (if applicable):

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
• Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
  Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later
• Memorandum for Record (MFR): Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation:
  • Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties.
  • The month/year work began
    Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
  • Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum for Record to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."

While applicants might see these documents in their profile, HR Specialists may be unable to access them. Therefore, all applicants MUST upload another copy to ensure that staffing units can review the complete application.

Please note: Failure to provide the necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Incomplete applications will not be supplemented with additional requests for information; your application will be evaluated solely on the information you submit. You must complete the application process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on the announcement's closing date.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
• Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
• If you are selected, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month probationary period has concluded. Probationary Employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI.

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

Nepotism

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorse a relative's appointment or promotion. During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by email at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov, phone at 202-324-2158, or fax at 202-324-3976. This email address is for reasonable accommodation requests only. Do not send applications or unrelated inquiries to this address, as they will not be considered.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex, pregnancy and related conditions, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

The Bureau matches your dedication with a commitment to professional growth, a supportive work environment, and a robust benefits package that prioritizes you. As a member of our team, you'll enjoy comprehensive health and life insurance benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays. For more details about benefits available to all federal employees, visit the Office of Personnel Management's .