Actuator Technician IV

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 94,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Rideshare

Childcare assistance

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Actuator Technician to perform assembly, integration, and testing for flight and prototype actuators within the actuator lab. You will read engineering drawings and electrical diagrams, follow procedures, and select precision tools while maintaining strict cleanroom and safety standards.

The role involves bonding thermal components, electrical integration, and conducting functional/environmental tests with instrumentation.

Qualifications

• Interpret technical documentation and schematics, including electrical diagrams, equipment manuals, and assembly/test procedures.
• Hands-on experience with electromechanical systems: assembly, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and fault isolation for actuator development.
• Basic soldering and electronic cable fabrication skills.
• Familiarity with clean room protocols and flight-hardware handling policies.
• Strong organizational skills to document inventory and workflow.

Responsibilities

• Assemble flight and prototype actuators and integrate into higher-level subsystems.
• Read and follow drawings, procedures, and diagrams; select proper tools for precision work.
• Adhere to cleanroom, contamination-control, and safety requirements.
• Bond thermal hardware components and perform surface prep and adhesives mixing.
• Conduct electrical integration, harness mates/demates, cable routing, and safe-to-mate checks.
• Operate thermal chambers and actuator testing equipment; support TVAC and vibration tests.
• Troubleshoot issues, develop tooling, and improve assembly processes.
• Mentor less-experienced technicians and maintain organized lab workspaces.

Skills

Electromechanical assembly

Read engineering drawings

Troubleshooting

Bonding and adhesive skills

Electrical integration

Instrument/equipment operation

Cleanroom procedures

Soldering basics

Education

High School diploma with aerospace experience

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CAD platforms

Actuator test instrumentation

Orbital/thermal chamber equipment

Job description

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.

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.

******IMPORTANT******* This position, because of its associated job duties, has been determined by JPL to be safety-sensitive as defined in JPL's Drug Free Workplace Requirement. An employee holding this position will be subject to periodic, unannounced, random drug testing. Please refer to JPL's Drug Free Workplace Requirement for more information. Candidates who are hired into designated safety-sensitive positions will be included in a pool from which individuals are randomly selected to participate in the unannounced drug testing.

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. Familiarity with clean room protocol and applicable policies for handling Flight Hardware. Strong organizational skills with ability to track, maintain, and accurately document inventory. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Working knowledge of basic Microsoft tools (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word).

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.

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave

For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date. For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

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

EEO

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. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement 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.

Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.