EMC Test Technician IV

citjpl; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

JPL in Pasadena, CA is seeking an experienced EMC Test Technician to lead complex EMC testing across multiple lab facilities, ensuring compliance with MIL-STD and JPL test procedures.

You will set up tests with Tile! software, process data, and deliver validated results to engineering. The role also covers lab management, calibration, and maintaining safety standards. This is an on-site position at JPL.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a High School Diploma with 10+ years of related experience, or an Associate/Bachelor degree with 6/3+ years respectively.
• Experience in EMC Testing, including MIL-STD-461C/462 and MIL-STD-461G EMI testing.
• Expert use of ETS Lindgren Tile! EMC software and profiling.

Responsibilities

• Perform EMC testing (RE/RS/CE/CS) per MIL-STD and JPL tests.
• Read, set up, and run EMC tests using Tile! software and interpret results.
• Analyze complex data, finalize outputs for engineering decisions.
• Lab management: maintain facilities, calibration, safety, and inventory.
• Support construction/modification of ground-support equipment for EMC tests.
• Provide expert input on test methods and configurations.

Skills

EMC testing

Tile! software

Laboratory management

RF measurement

Data analysis

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Tile! EMC software

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 Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Section that engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems. This work requires expert-level technical capability spanning the full breadth of mechanical disciplines, applied from architectural concept development through operations.

You will lead and perform complex and unique technical functions across multiple EMC laboratory facilities, ensuring operations meet stringent technical, safety, and performance standards. You will serve as a subject matter expert supporting EMC engineering, executing high-complexity EMC testing on flight hardware and R&TD assignments with minimal supervision and broad scope. You will also apply advanced judgment to laboratory processes, facility operations, and test methodology.

This is an on-site position.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Performing EMC testing, including Radiated Emissions, Radiated Susceptibility, Conducted Emissions, and Conducted Susceptibility per MIL-STD-461C/462, MIL-STD-461F/G, as well as JPL unique EMC tests including DC magnetics traceability and power quality testing.
• Aligned to Level 4: Executed independently with expert-level proficiency, including determining methods, applying advanced test principles, and providing validated data for engineering decisions.
• Reading and understanding EMC test procedures, independently setting-up EMC tests, performing EMC tests using Tile! software, and understanding and interpreting EMC test results.
• Aligned to Level 4: Performs these tasks as an expert practitioner; provides recommendations to engineers on configurations, test approaches, and interpretation of complex data.
• Performing data processing during and after a test: verifying, reviewing and documenting all pertinent data. Finalizing data and sending to EMC Engineer/customer.
• Aligned to Level 4: Analyzes complex and unique data sets, ensures accuracy, and provides validated outputs for engineering reporting and decision-making.
• Lab Management and Maintenance. Keeping all EMC lab facilities in clean working order, ensuring lab equipment is calibrated and maintained, ability to organize lab space and manage lab inventory and supplies.
• Aligned to Level 4: Acts as a technical lead for laboratory operations, ensures facilities meet occupational and system safety requirements, and provides expert input for major facility modifications.
• Performing regular system checks of all RF components across 4 labs testing antennas such as Monopole, Bicon, Log-periodic, Double Rigged Waveguides, etc.
• Aligned to Level 4: Serves as subject matter expert across multiple RF measurement disciplines; resolves complex and unique issues and improves check-out methods when needed.
• Supporting construction of mechanical ground support equipment needed for unique EMC tests and also simple modification of electronics ground support equipment including custom electrical switches and line impedance stabilization networks.
• Aligned to Level 4: Uses expert fabrication and assembly expertise to lead and carry out construction and modification activities, providing engineering recommendations where needed.

Qualifications:

• Typically requires a High School Diploma with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; or an Associate's Degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 3 years of related experience. Related training required.
• Experience in EMC Testing. Ability to independently perform EMC tests, instrument checkouts and calibration runs per Mil-Std 461C/462 and Mil-Std 461G EMC/EMI testing for emissions, susceptibility/immunity, and magnetics. Tests include Radiated Emissions (RE), Radiated Susceptibility (RS), Conducted Emissions (CE), and Conducted Susceptibility (CS) tests.
• Aligned to Level 4: Performs complex and unique tests as an expert resource with minimal supervision.
• Experience in using the ETS Lindgren Tile! EMC automated software, ability to create and run test profiles.
• Aligned to Level 4: Acts as expert user; may develop new test approaches and profiles supporting engineering goals.
• Experience using a