Home / Federal careers / GS-0855
Electronics Engineering
Performs professional electronics engineering work in design, development, and testing of electronic systems and components.
What GS-0855 pays
2025 base rates, before locality. Most federal employees add a locality adjustment on top.
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 | Step 7 | Step 8 | Step 9 | Step 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $34,454 | $35,603 | $36,752 | $37,901 | $39,050 | $40,199 | $41,348 | $42,497 | $43,646 | $44,786 |
| GS-7 | $42,679 | $44,102 | $45,525 | $46,948 | $48,371 | $49,794 | $51,217 | $52,640 | $54,063 | $55,486 |
| GS-9 | $52,205 | $53,945 | $55,685 | $57,425 | $59,165 | $60,905 | $62,645 | $64,385 | $66,125 | $67,865 |
| GS-11 | $63,163 | $65,268 | $67,373 | $69,478 | $71,583 | $73,688 | $75,793 | $77,898 | $80,003 | $82,108 |
| GS-12 | $75,706 | $78,229 | $80,752 | $83,275 | $85,798 | $88,321 | $90,844 | $93,367 | $95,890 | $98,422 |
| GS-13 | $90,025 | $93,026 | $96,027 | $99,028 | $102,029 | $105,030 | $108,031 | $111,032 | $114,033 | $117,034 |
| GS-14 | $106,382 | $109,928 | $113,474 | $117,020 | $120,566 | $124,112 | $127,658 | $131,204 | $134,750 | $138,296 |
| GS-15 | $125,133 | $129,304 | $133,475 | $137,646 | $141,817 | $145,988 | $150,159 | $154,330 | $158,501 | $162,672 |
Base pay only. Locality pay adds 15 to 40 percent or more depending on where the job sits. Source: OPM 2025 General Schedule.
Qualification requirements
OPM's standard for GS-0855, as written.
Electronics Engineering Basic Requirements
Uses Professional Engineering Basic Requirements (GS-800 Series)
Option A - Degree: Engineering degree from ABET-accredited program in electronics engineering, electrical engineering, or related field with emphasis on electronic circuits and systems.
Option B - Combination: College-level education plus technical experience demonstrating thorough knowledge of electronics engineering including analog/digital circuits, signal processing, communications.
Professional Registration: Registration as Professional Engineer (PE) is qualifying.
What this means if you served
- Write the duties, not the billet. OPM credits military experience on the work performed, and does not use rank or pay to judge specialized experience.
- Put the training and certifications you earned in service on the page. They count here.
- Claim your veterans preference on the application. It is not applied for you.
- This series carries a positive education requirement: a degree is required and experience cannot be substituted for it.
How to qualify for GS-0855
1Review Qualification Requirements
Read the OPM qualification standards above to understand the education and experience requirements for your target grade level.
2Find Your Grade Level
Grade follows the scope and complexity of the work you can document against the announcement, not the rank you held. OPM does not use military rank or pay when it evaluates specialized experience. Roughly: GS-5 entry, GS-7/9 junior, GS-11/12 journey, GS-13 and up senior.
3Gather Documentation
Collect your DD-214, SF-50 (if applicable), transcripts, certifications, and any training records that demonstrate your qualifications.
4Build Your Federal Resume
Two pages. USAJOBS has enforced that limit since 27 September 2025 and will not accept a longer resume from a Title 5 agency posting, so the space has to answer every qualification requirement. Include hours worked per week, supervisor contact details, and the accomplishments with numbers on them.
5Apply on USAJOBS
Search for open positions, carefully answer all assessment questions, and submit your application before the closing date.
Military jobs that map to this series
Electromagnetic Warfare Specialist
GS-0855 Electronics Engineering is the core federal home for RF, radar, and EW system design. Degree-holding 17Es map here directly.
Skills that carry over: RF systems, Electronic warfare, Signal analysis, Systems engineering.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Management Chief
The RF and electronics depth of spectrum work fits GS-0855 Electronics Engineering for degreed candidates working propagation, antenna, and EMC problems.
Skills that carry over: RF propagation, Electromagnetic compatibility, Systems engineering, Technical analysis.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) Systems Engineer
GS-0855 Electronics Engineering is the federal home for the sensor-integration and electronics-systems engineering a 2651 performs. Carries a positive education requirement at higher grades.
Skills that carry over: Electronics systems engineering, Sensor integration, RF and SATCOM systems, Systems test and verification.
Usually opens at: GS-9, GS-11, GS-12.
Your record can qualify you even when your code is not on this list. The crosswalk is a starting point, not the gate.
Typical duties
- Design electronic circuits and systems
- Develop embedded systems and firmware
- Conduct electronic testing and troubleshooting
- Analyze signal processing requirements
- Design PCB layouts
- Integrate electronic components
Key competencies
Circuit Design
Skill in designing analog and digital electronic circuits.
Signal Processing
Knowledge of signal processing techniques and systems.
Communications Systems
Understanding of RF, wireless, and communications technologies.
Test Equipment
Proficiency in using electronic test and measurement equipment.
PCB Design
Skill in printed circuit board design and layout.
Troubleshooting
Ability to diagnose and repair electronic systems.
Component Selection
Knowledge of electronic components and specifications.
EMC/EMI
Understanding of electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
Words the announcement will use
Use the ones your record actually supports. A rater is matching your experience against the specialized experience statement, and a keyword with nothing behind it does not survive that.
Questions about GS-0855
What is a federal Electronics Engineer?
GS-0855 Electronics Engineers design electronic circuits and systems: radar, communications, avionics, weapons systems, and test equipment. They work at Navy shipyards, Air Force depots, Army labs, NASA, and agencies requiring advanced electronics expertise.
How much does a federal Electronics Engineer make?
GS-0855 positions range from GS-5 ($34,454) at entry to GS-15 ($125,133-$162,672) for senior engineers and technical directors. Journeyman positions are GS-11/12 ($63,163-$98,422). Project leads reach GS-13/14. Add locality pay of 15-40%.
What are the requirements for GS-0855 positions?
A professional electrical or electronics engineering degree (ABET-accredited) is mandatory—positive education requirement. Experience in circuit design, signal processing, RF systems, or embedded electronics needed for higher grades. Security clearance often required for weapons/classified work.
Can military experience substitute for education in GS-0855?
The engineering degree is mandatory, but military electronics engineering experience is highly valued. Engineers who worked on radar, avionics, communications, or weapons systems with degrees transition directly. Your systems expertise and security clearance are major advantages.
What is the career progression for Electronics Engineers?
Entry at GS-5/7, journeyman at GS-11/12, senior engineers at GS-13, and technical directors at GS-14/15. Navy, Air Force, Army labs, and NASA offer strong electronics engineering paths. Specialization in RF, avionics, or weapons systems enhances advancement.
How do I apply for GS-0855 jobs on USAJOBS?
Search USAJOBS for 'Electronics Engineer.' Navy, Air Force, Army, and NASA are major employers. Highlight your ABET degree, specific systems experience (radar, avionics, communications), and security clearance. Veterans with electronics engineering backgrounds are highly valued for cleared positions.
Ready to apply for GS-0855?
A rater matches your record against the announcement's specialized experience statement, inside two pages. BMR writes that shape from your own experience: competency headers, real scope, hours per week, and the supervisor detail the rater checks.