Electronics Engineer IV (Avionics Electronics Group)

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 201,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA, invites an Electronics Engineer IV to design and test avionics electronics for next-gen space projects. You’ll work with design engineers, systems engineers and product delivery managers across the full lifecycle from concept to delivery.

Ideal candidates bring advanced degrees and extensive lab experience with analog components, FPGA designs, and automated scripting, with strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate in diverse teams.

Qualifications

• Required degrees with extensive related work experience in electrical engineering.
• Strong understanding of analog components and circuit designs.
• Experience with digital FPGA designs and various communication protocols.
• Ability to test and debug circuits in a lab environment and collaborate with others.
• Proficiency with computer-aided design and simulation tools for electrical circuits.
• Excellent oral and written communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, prototype and test analog and digital circuits for avionics systems.
• Perform schematic capture and PCB layout using standard EDA tools.
• Set up lab equipment to debug and validate hardware prototypes.
• Create and maintain technical documentation and design review materials.
• Lead engineers to solve technical problems during design and testing.

Skills

Analog circuit design

Digital FPGA design

Python scripting

Technical collaboration

Written and verbal communication

Avionics protocols

AMBA bus designs

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

DMMs

Power supplies

Oscilloscopes

Measurement probes

LTSpice

Altium

HyperLynx

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 Electronics Group leads the research and development and flight applications of avionics systems at JPL. The Avionics Electronics Group within the Avionics, Power, and 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 IV in the Avionics Electronics Group, you will design and test electronics subsystems and will be involved in all aspects of avionics electronics development from concept to delivery. You will work closely with Avionics Electronics Product Delivery Managers working with other Design Engineers, Systems Engineers, and the Technical Group Supervisors.

Tasks

• Lead design, prototype and test analog and digital circuits for avionics systems.
• Perform 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.
• Lead 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 9 years of related work experience.
• Master’s degree in a similar discipline with a minimum of 7 years of related work experience.
• PhD degree in a similar discipline with a minimum of 5 years of related work experience.
• Strong foundational understanding of analog components and circuit designs.
• Experience in digital FPGA designs with various communication protocols.
• 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.
• Experience with Hyperlynx Signal Integrity and Power Integrity analyses
• Knowledge of FPGA designs, simulations and development processes.
• Familiar with avionics protocols such as Ethernet, 1553, Space Wire, PCI, SPI, I2C, UART
• Familiar with AMBA bus (AXI, AHB and APB) designs
• 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

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. For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

Salary

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $169,520 - $200,824

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.