Cable Fabrication Technician III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, is seeking a Cable Fabrication Technician III to support fabrication of electronics, cables, and harnesses for engineering models and flight hardware. You will work in a high-reliability environment, applying IPC/NASA standards and cleanroom practices.

The role involves assembling, testing, and documenting complex electrical and electronic assemblies, with emphasis on precision and problem resolution in a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• High School diploma with typical minimum 8 years of related experience.
• Associate's degree with typical minimum 4 years of related experience.
• Bachelor's degree with typical minimum 1 year of related experience.
• Extensive experience performing electronic assembly, soldering, crimping, cable/harness fabrication, connector installation, and hardware integration.
• Experience using microscopes, precision hand tools, test equipment, and manufacturing equipment to build, inspect, and troubleshoot hardware.
• Experience with high-reliability electronics manufacturing standards (IPC J-STD-001, NASA-STD-8739) and cleanroom/ESD practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform surface mount technology setup, PCB assembly, hand soldering, crimping, cabling, and chassis wiring for engineering model and flight systems.
• Operate modern and manual manufacturing tools to produce reliable PWB assemblies and hybrid/microelectronic hardware.
• Assist engineer in identifying design modifications and improvements.
• Support various customer labs and Spacecraft Assembly Facility during final integration when required.

Skills

Electronic assembly

Soldering

Crimping

Cable/harness fabrication

Connector installation

Hardware integration

Reading schematics

Manufacturing documentation

Clean room/ESD work

Education

High School diploma

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

IPC J-STD-001

NASA-STD-8739

Microscopes

Precision hand tools

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 & Control Systems Division which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems with expertise that spans the full breadth of mechanical disciplines and is applied from architectural concept development through operations.

Cable Fabrication Technician III will be supporting the Manufacturing, Packaging, & Test Services Section, which provides engineering services that include the following: fabrication of electronics (boards and cables/harnesses), microelectronic and photonic hardware; electronic packaging, manufacturing engineering and electronic hardware thermal/structural analysis; advanced electronic packaging engineering, technology development and process engineering; technical facilities management and cleanroom services/certification; custom measurement systems development and instrumentation services; calibration services, test equipment loan pool and metrology engineering, and technical inventory management, cryogenics services and Flight Hardware Logistics Program (FHLP).

Responsibilities

• Perform surface mount technology setup, printed wiring board electronic assembly, hand soldering, connector pin crimping, cabling, chassis wiring, mechanical assembly, and chassis wiring for engineering model and flight electronic systems.
• Use and operate modern and manual manufacturing tools and equipment to produce high reliability printed wiring electronic assemblies and hybrid/microelectronic assemblies.
• Support the manufacturer engineer in assessing and recommending design modifications.
• Support various customer labs and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility in final integration, when required.

Qualifications

• High School diploma with a typically a minimum 8 years of related experience, or an Associate's degree with typically a minimum of 4 year of related experience, or Bachelor's degree with typically a minimum of 1 year of related experience
• Extensive experience performing electronic assembly, soldering, crimping, cable/harness fabrication, connector installation, and hardware integration.
• Demonstrated experience fabricating, assembling, and inspecting complex electronic, electromechanical, and printed wiring board hardware.
• Advanced ability to interpret schematics, wiring diagrams, engineering drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing documentation.
• Working knowledge of IPC J-STD-001, NASA-STD-8739, and other high-reliability electronics manufacturing standards and practices.
• Experience using microscopes, precision hand tools, test equipment, and manufacturing equipment to build, inspect, and troubleshoot flight or prototype hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve fabrication and assembly issues with minimal supervision while maintaining quality and schedule requirements.
• Experience working in clean room and ESD-controlled environments and providing technical support to engineers and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Has used innovative and creative approaches in resolving unusual situations.
• Participated on teams within and outside of own organization.

Preferred Skills

• Has performed cable operations including soldering, crimping, routing on mockups, wrapping cable assemblies, testing, potting, and closing connectors. Has operatated manual manufacturing tools and equipment to produce high‑reliability cable and harness assemblies.
• Demonstrated IPC J-STD-001 and/or NASA 8739 certification training.
• Demonstrated experience in Surface Mount Technology printed wiring assemblies.
• Demonstrated experience in polymerics adhesives, potting, and conformal coating material application and mixing.
• Demonstrated experience with JPL fabrication standards for printed wiring electronic assemblies, cables and harnesses.
• Knowledge of electronic and mechanical fabrication techniques to fabricate and assemble complex mechanical, electronic, electro-mechanical, cable harness assembly, devices, fixtures, parts or equipment.
• Understanding of work techniques, applicable policies, procedures and practices in planning, setup, repair and/or modification of mechanical, electronic or electro-mechanical systems, experimental design circuitry, prototype models or specialized test equipment.
• Experience in working from schematics, rough sketches, diagrams, layouts or plans often requiring interpretation.
• Experience working in cleanroom environments and ESD workstations.

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.

$88,608 - $109,200

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.