Avionics Systems Engineer III TS/SCI (345B)

California Institute Of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 143,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory seeks an experienced Avionics Systems Engineer III to lead avionics systems engineering tasks, develop system designs and requirements, and report progress to management. The role emphasizes leadership in space hardware development and collaboration across engineering teams.

Qualifications include a Bachelor's in engineering (or similar) with years of aerospace experience, strong communication, and the ability to obtain necessary security clearances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, EE, CE or similar with 6+ years (PhD with 2+).
• Master's degree adds 4+ years; PhD adds 2+ years.
• Knowledge of aerospace hardware development practices and standards.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with customers.
• Ability to obtain/maintain U.S. Government clearance and work with ITAR data.

Responsibilities

• Generate requirements from avionics subsystem to card level and create interface documents.
• Develop and execute verification and validation plans.
• Collaborate with Cognizant Engineers, Design Engineers and I&T Engineers throughout design, I&T and delivery.
• Report progress on technical progress, schedule, and budgets to management.

Skills

Systems engineering

Electrical engineering

Communication skills

Leadership

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Jama

Versal ACAP

Fiberoptic harnessing

Job description

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 avionic 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.

• 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.

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.