This position is located in the Channel Design & Deployment Section, Program Delivery Division, National Library Service Blind/Print Disabled, Library Collections and Services Group. The position description numbers for this position are 446912 and 446914. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flextime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position.
Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Ability to perform product development project planning work. ** Ability to perform product development project management work. ** Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of electronics/computer engineering. ** Knowledge of product prototype and proof-of-concept development. Ability to provide management and contractor oversight for product development projects. Ability to interact collaboratively with others. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.
This is an interdisciplinary position (0854 Engineer (Computers), 0855 Engineer (Electronics)). The person selected for this position will be placed on the position description that corresponds with their qualifications. The position serves as a member of the Channel Design and Deployment (CDD) section of the Program Delivery Division (PDD) of the National Library Service for Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) and works under the technical and administrative supervision of the Head of the CDD section. The position provides engineering support for current National Library Services for Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) braille and talking book programs. The position also provides engineering analysis for special projects, future projects, and planning of new systems and capabilities to support delivery of the braille and talking book programs. Participates in inter-disciplinary product engineering design, development, and integration activities in a broad scope of technologies. Integrates prototype and proof-of-concept products with other NLS program systems in a development environment for analysis of the performance and impact on existing system. Analyzes requirements, develops strategies, and implements actions involving highly complex technical problems. Designs development of software, APIs, and computer systems in support of products used for delivery of the NLS braille and audio book programs. Creates systems diagrams, and writes, modifies and debugs source code for applications software/computer products. Applies the latest technology available to the Library to create products for reading, searching, and browsing the NLS collection of audio and braille books. Follows project guidelines and strategies that require innovation and leading-edge technology. Document unknown conditions, resolves critical problems, or develops new algorithms. Provides technical, administrative, and project management leadership in research and development activities in the specialized area of accessible technology and systems for delivery of the NLS braille and talking book programs. Serves as the SME in product design, which incorporates state of the art technologies, components, and techniques for embedded systems, mobile computing systems, and other consumer electronic systems capable of digital media playback, search and discovery, storage, and streaming via the internet. Provides guidance and technical advice to program stakeholders, specialists within NLS, and partners throughout the cooperating network of libraries in the use and operation of products for delivery of the braille and talking book programs to patrons. Resolves technical difficulties that can be overcome by changes in development methodology criteria, or requirements in areas such as software design, API integration or business analysis. Maintains technical insight into the cause and solution when damaged, failed, or otherwise nonconforming products, services, or systems are encountered. Develops requirements, technical evaluations, and recommendations to management for engineering change orders to improve NLS products and services. Serves as an engineering technical specialist in the test, verification, and validation of software that may be utilized in embedded systems or computer equipment. Implements the product development project strategy. Performs product design and development. Serves on project teams. Consults with other Library of Congress organizations for compatibility with existing systems and policies. Serves as product engineer and technical SME. Ensures that all essential actions for successful product development are identified, planned and accomplished. Recognized as an authority in product engineering for development of integrated computer systems involving commercially available mobile platforms, embedded systems, edge-computing systems, and cloud-based systems. Works with and participates in meetings with other functional managers and SMEs to identify requirements, write and review specifications, creates systems diagrams and identify costs for product development. Develops, modifies, monitors and evaluates project plans. Contributes to the overall engineering efforts of product development teams. Performs Product Owner and Product Engineer roles as a product moves through the life cycle. Provides expert technical advice and direction to contractor professionals on product development issues and requirements. Directs contractors in development of software, APIs, and computer systems in support of products used for delivery of the NLS braille and audio book programs. Participates as necessary in the evaluation and selection process of proposals submitted in response to contract solicitations.