Electronics Engineer I (Avionics Electronics )

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 97,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Wellbeing

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Many more

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is seeking an Electronics Engineer to join the Avionics Electronics Group. You will design, build, and test next-generation space avionics hardware, contributing across the full development cycle from circuit concepts to hardware delivery.

This role emphasizes hands-on lab work with test equipment, collaboration with senior engineers, and adherence to high-reliability standards for flight hardware, with opportunities to document analyses, create

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with at least 1 year related experience.
• Strong circuit design fundamentals for analog and digital domains.
• Experience with bench top test equipment (DMMs, power supplies, probes, oscilloscopes).
• Ability to test and debug circuits in lab independently and with others.
• Knowledge of CAD/engineering tools for design and simulation.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing, prototyping, and testing analog and digital circuits for avionics.
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout with high-reliability standards.
• Set up lab test equipment to debug and validate hardware prototypes.
• Create and maintain engineering drawings, analyses, test procedures, design review materials.
• Collaborate with other engineers to solve technical problems during design and testing.

Skills

Circuit design (analog)

Circuit design (digital)

Bench top test equipment

Oscilloscopes

Testing & debugging

Lab documentation

Python scripting

Communication skills

Education

BSEE or equivalent

MS in related field

Tools

LTSpice

Altium

SPI

I2C

UART

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:

The Electronics Engineer will support JPL’s Avionics Electronics Group in designing, building, and testing next-generation space avionics hardware. In this role, the engineer will contribute to the full development cycle of avionics electronics—from circuit design to hardware fabrication, testing, documentation, and delivery. The position involves hands-on work with laboratory test equipment, collaboration with senior engineers and project managers, and ensuring high-reliability standards for flight hardware.

JPL’s Avionics Electronics Group leads the research and development and flight applications of avionics systems at JPL. The Avionics Electronics Group within the Avionics, Power & Instrument Electronics Section is dedicated to the development of avionics subsystem electronics concepts, implementation of avionics system architecture designs, design and implementation of hardware for flight projects, and support for proposal development and project formulation.

Currently we are seeking an Electronics Engineer to participate in the development and testing of the next generation of space avionics hardware.

As an Electronics Engineer in the Avionics Electronics Group, you will design and test electronics subsystems and support equipment and will be involved in all aspects of avionics electronics development from concept to delivery. You will work closely with Avionics Electronics Cognizant Engineers, Senior Design Engineers, Systems Engineers, and the Technical Group Supervisors.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Assist in designing, prototyping, and testing analog and digital circuits for avionics systems.
• Participate in schematic capture and PCB layout using standard EDA tools, ensuring adherence to high-reliability standards.
• Setup lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, power supplies) to debug, troubleshoot, and validate hardware prototypes.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including engineering drawings, circuit analyses, test procedures, and design review materials.
• Work with other engineers to solve technical problems as they arise, both at the design level and during laboratory testing.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), with a minimum of 1 year of related experience, or Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 0-year related experience.
• Strong foundational understanding of circuit design both analog and digital and of electronic components.
• Experience with Bench Top Test Equipment, including DMMs, power supplies, various measurement probes and oscilloscopes.
• Ability to test and debug circuits in the lab, both individually and in collaboration with others.
• Knowledge of and experience with computer aided engineering software and tools for design and simulation of electrical circuits.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with LTSpice for simulation and Altium for schematic capture and PWB layout.
• Familiarity with avionics protocols such as SPI, I2C, UART, RS-422.
• Experience in design, development, fabrication, assembly and test of avionics electronics or analog hardware for space environments.
• Experience with test software and hardware.
• Preferably using scripting languages like Python for automation.

Benefits:

• Health
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellbeing
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Learning
• Rideshare
• Childcare
• Flexible schedule
• Parental leave
• Many more

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $96,824 - $113,152

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.