Actuator Technician IV

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; In loco; USD 94.000 - 116.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Descrizione del lavoro

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks an Actuator Technician to join the Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Services Section. You will perform assembly, integration, and testing for flight and prototype actuator hardware, mentoring junior technicians and improving assembly processes.

Ideal candidates have deep electromechanical expertise, strong metalworking and bonding skills, and the ability to interpret complex drawings and diagrams, while adhering to cleanroom and safety

Competenze

• Typically requires a High School diploma with a minimum of 10 years of aerospace experience specializing in electromechanical assembly; or an Associate’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of related experience.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and schematics, including electrical diagrams, equipment manuals, and assembly/test procedures.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with electromechanical systems, including assembly, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and fault isolation in support of actuator development.

Mansioni

• Assemble flight and prototype actuators and support integration into higher-level subsystems.
• Read and follow engineering drawings, assembly procedures, and electrical diagrams; select appropriate tools for precision electromechanical work.
• Ensure strict adherence to flight‑hardware handling, contamination‑control practices, cleanroom protocols, and safety requirements.
• Bond thermal hardware components, including surface preparation and adhesive mixing.
• Support electrical integration activities, including harness mates/demates, cable routing, safe‑to‑mate checks, and basic signal‑path troubleshooting.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical system failures by determining root‑cause and corrective action.
• Operate thermal chambers and actuator testing equipment.
• Support functional and environmental testing (e.g., TVAC, vibe) including setup and monitoring of instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot integration issues and contribute to process improvements, including developing custom tooling for complex assembly tasks.
• Organize and maintain actuator lab (workstations, equipment, tools, etc.).
• Provide accurate labor estimates, identify schedule impacts, and collaborate with cognizant engineers on workflow planning and assembly processes.
• Mentor and support the development of less‑experienced technicians.

Conoscenze

Electromechanical assembly

Reading schematics

Electrical testing

Bonding and adhesion

Formazione

High School diploma with aerospace experience

Associate’s degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Strumenti

CAD

Test equipment

Descrizione del lavoro

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

This unique opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (35) , which creates advanced mechanical, robotics, thermal, propulsion, onboard GNC, and electronic packaging systems. Division 35 develops hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem, and system-level integration and test.

You will be working as an Actuator Technician , within the Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Services Section , which supports the mechanical and electronic fabrication, assembly, packaging, and testing needs of all JPL projects. As an Actuator Technician supporting the actuator lab, you will perform assembly, integration, and testing for flight and prototype actuator hardware. This role requires deep technical expertise, strong judgement, leadership, and the ability to mentor less‑experienced personnel.

Responsibilities

• Assemble flight and prototype actuators and support integration into higher-level subsystems.
• Read and follow engineering drawings, assembly procedures, and electrical diagrams; select appropriate tools for precision electromechanical work.
• Ensure strict adherence to flight‑hardware handling, contamination‑control practices, cleanroom protocols, and safety requirements.
• Bond thermal hardware components, including surface preparation and adhesive mixing.
• Support electrical integration activities, including harness mates/demates, cable routing, safe‑to‑mate checks, and basic signal‑path troubleshooting.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical system failures by determining root‑cause and corrective action.
• Operate thermal chambers and actuator testing equipment.
• Support functional and environmental testing (e.g., TVAC, vibe) including setup and monitoring of instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot integration issues and contribute to process improvements, including developing custom tooling for complex assembly tasks.
• Organize and maintain actuator lab (workstations, equipment, tools, etc.).
• Provide accurate labor estimates, identify schedule impacts, and collaborate with cognizant engineers on workflow planning and assembly processes.
• Mentor and support the development of less‑experienced technicians.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a High School diploma with a minimum of 10 years of aerospace experience specializing in electromechanical assembly; or an Associate’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of related experience.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and schematics, including electrical diagrams, equipment manuals, and assembly/test procedures.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with electromechanical systems, including assembly, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and fault isolation in support of actuator development.
• Basic soldering and electronic cable fabrication skills.
• Working knowledge of AC and DC motors, gearing, position sensors, braking systems, and related components.
• Experience performing precision mechanical assembly, including handling delicate and miniaturized components.
• Competency in surface preparation and bonding operations.
• Experience applying lubrication to actuator and mechanism components.
• Experience configuring and operating actuator test instrumentation and support equipment.

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) platforms.
• Experience with cryogenic shrink-fitting techniques for assembling precision hardware.
• Competence in basic machining operations.
• Competence operating overhead cranes to maneuver flight hardware.
• Experience operating Mobile Elevated Work Platforms.
• Ability to travel to support off‑Lab integration and test campaigns.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$94,328 - $116,376
JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here .