Avionics Systems Engineer III TS/SCI (345B)

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 143,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks an Avionics Systems Engineer III to lead avionics systems engineering tasks for space hardware development. The role emphasizes requirements generation, system design, and verification planning, with collaboration across Cognizant Engineers, Design Engineers, and I&T Engineers.

A strong background in aerospace, leadership, and multi‑tasking is expected, with clearance readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar technical discipline with typically a minimum of 6 years of related work experience
• Master’s degree in similar disciplines with typically a minimum of 4 years of related work experience
• PhD in a similar discipline with typically a minimum of 2 years of related work experience
• Ability to obtain and maintain required U.S. Government security clearance and work with ITAR hardware/data

Responsibilities

• Generate requirements from avionics subsystem through electronic card level and produce interface documents
• Develop and execute verification and validation (V&V) plans
• Collaborate with Cognizant Engineers, Design Engineers and I&T Engineers throughout the lifecycle
• Report progress on technical, schedule, and budget to management

Skills

Systems engineering

Electrical engineering

Computer engineering

Leadership

Multi‑tasking

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s in Systems/Electrical/Computer Eng or similar

Master’s in related discipline

PhD in related discipline

Tools

Jama

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.

Responsibilities:

JPL’s Avionics Systems Engineering Group within the Avionics, Power, & Instrument Electronics Section is dedicated to developing avionics subsystem avionics concepts, implementing avionics system architecture designs, designing and ensuring implementation of hardware for flight projects, and supporting project formulation and proposals. We are seeking a creative, experienced Avionics Systems Engineer III , with expertise in space hardware development and task leadership, to join the group and participate in developing the next generation of space avionics hardware.

The Avionics Systems Engineer III will lead avionics systems engineering tasks within JPL's Avionics Systems Engineering Group. This role carries task‑level leadership responsibility, including developing system designs and requirements, and reporting technical progress to Line, Project, and Institutional Management. Candidates should bring several years of systems engineering experience, with a strong preference for prior aerospace or space hardware development.

Tasks include but are not limited to:
Responsible for generation of requirements from the avionics subsystem level through electronic card level, design description and interface documents, engineering change requests, trade studies, model generation and analyses, and verification item generation.
Develop and execute verification and validation (V&V) plans.
Will closely collaborate with Cognizant Engineers, Design Engineers and I&T Engineers throughout the product design, I&T and delivery lifecycle.
Report on technical progress, schedule, and budget to Line, Project, and Institutional Management.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or similar technical discipline with typically a minimum of 6 years of related work experience, a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with typically a minimum of 4 years of related work experience, or a PhD in a similar discipline with typically a minimum of 2 years of related work experience.
Knowledge of industry and/or academic practices and standards across a range of applications related to the development, testing and integration of electronic assemblies for space applications
Strong communication and interpersonal skills in relating to both internal and external customers
Strong ability to multi-task with an established track record of meeting schedules with milestones
Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work with a fluctuating, competing, and fast‑paced environment
Ability to obtain and maintain any required U.S. Government security clearance, and be able to work with export‑controlled (ITAR) hardware and technical data, which may require U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency

Preferred Skills:
Experience working with high data throughput systems
Experience working with Versal ACAP
Experience with Fiberoptic harnessing, connectors, and associated electronics
Experience taking a design from concept to Design, Build, Test and Deliver for a Space mission
Military, Aerospace & Space hardware development experience
Experience developing and delivering Avionics system documentation (requirements, functional description documents, test plans, and test reports)
Experience specifying, designing, or testing Command and Data Handling modules
Experience with the use of Jama (or similar) for requirement and verification item management and tracking.
Experience with integration and test of flight electronics.

Note: Must be willing to obtain Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.

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.

$143,208 - $180,336
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 .