General Engineering

Where civil (0810), mechanical (0830) and electrical (0850) engineers have their own series, 0801 is the home of systems engineers, program and project engineers, technical directors, accident investigators and healthcare engineers, and it is the series most often named in “Interdisciplinary” announcements.

Recent listings have included telework-eligible positions with a heavy tilt toward Navy and Air Force commands, the Missile Defense Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and the FAA, and a large share of supervisory and lead roles.

Applying tip: all professional engineering series share OPM’s basic requirement, which is an ABET-accredited engineering degree, or a combination of college-level education and experience shown through routes such as a PE license or passing the FE exam. Announcements ask you to document which path you meet, usually with transcripts attached. The engineering guide covers the degree and licensure requirements in more detail.