Data Scientist II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 128,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Wellbeing and retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks engineers to advance autonomous space systems using AI technologies. You will contribute to scheduling, planning, and resource allocation across ground and flight operations for missions like ECOSTRESS, OCO‑3, EMIT, NISAR, and M2020.

The role emphasizes building planning and optimization algorithms, ML interpretation of remote sensing imagery, and large‑model pipelines, with opportunities to lead in AI applications for spacecraft

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in CS or related field with 3+ years of related experience; Master’s with 1+ year; or PhD.
• Broad knowledge in software development, AI, operations research, or resource allocation mechanisms.
• Experience programming in Rust, C++, C, Python, or Java.
• Background in AI and/or operations research techniques with verifiable artifacts.
• Experience with large models and DL pipelines (training/inference).
• Experience with large models (VLM/LLM/Foundation models) including training, deployment, Compression.

Responsibilities

• Develop planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and execution algorithms for autonomous systems.
• Develop search-based, constraint-based, and optimization systems for large-scale planning.
• Develop machine learning systems for remote sensing imagery interpretation and multi-modal reasoning.

Skills

Rust

C++

C

Python

Java

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Master’s degree in related discipline

PhD in related discipline

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

Are you intrigued about artificial intelligence and autonomous systems?

Be part of the team leading the development of autonomous space systems!

The Artificial Intelligence Group (see ai.jpl.nasa.gov) works on fundamental research problems leading to unique software applications in spacecraft autonomy, scientific data analysis, and mission operations automation and onboard analysis for real-time decisions.

Development projects will include automation of ground and flight operations for communications stations, space missions, marine vehicles, and aerial vehicles, including fleets of vehicles. Our software is currently in use for numerous missions including but not limited to: ECOSTRESS, OCO-3, EMIT, NISAR, M2020 and the DSN.

You will use Artificial Intelligence technologies to partially and fully automate critical systems for scheduling, planning and resource allocation. You will support efforts in these areas.

This job will entail but is not limited to:

• Develop planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and execution algorithms for autonomous systems that interpret complex state, resource, constraint, and event data to take actions to achieve mission goals.
• Develop and use search-based, constraint-based, satisfaction and optimization systems to solve large scale planning and resource allocation problems.
• Develop machine learning systems for interpretation of remote sensing imagery and Large multi-modal models for reasoning about imagery, time, patterns, and ramifications.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related discipline with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 1 year of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines.
• Broad knowledge in one or more related fields of the following areas: software development, artificial intelligence, operations research, resource allocation mechanisms,.
• Experience in wide application of principles, theories, concepts and techniques in programming languages (in order of preference) such as Rust, C++, C, Python, and Java.
• Background knowledge in Artificial Intelligence and/or Operations research techniques and concepts. As documented by software artifacts built, tested, etc.
• Experience with architecting large models and Deep learning training and inference pipelines. As demonstrated by available code, papers, documents, etc.
• Experience with large models (e.g. VLM, LLM, Foundation models) including training, deploying, compressing, evaluating, and testing. As demonstrated by available code, papers, documents, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands on experience in automation and analysis systems for robotic autonomous systems.
• Extensive knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in Software design & development and Computer Science.
• Experience in interdisciplinary team leadership.
• Experience in writing proposals, task plans, and research publications for peer reviewed forums.

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.

$127,504 - $138,008

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.

JPL 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.