Engineering Development Technician II

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 73,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a hands-on EMC Lab Technician to maintain EMC facilities and assist with EMC testing on flight hardware. You will support engineers and ensure data quality in a fast-paced lab environment.

The role emphasizes MIL-STD-461/462 testing, calibration, and meticulous documentation, with on-site work in a collaborative setting that values safety and precision.

Qualifications

• Experience in EMC Testing and related MIL-STD procedures.
• Ability to independently perform EMC tests and calibrations.
• Familiarity with Tile! EMC software and RF instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining and certifying EMC lab facilities on site.
• Performing EMC testing on flight hardware per MIL-STD.
• Processing and documenting EMC test data and results.

Skills

EMC testing

Test instrumentation

Tile! software

RF measurement

Data processing

Education

High School Diploma or Associate Degree

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Network Analyzers

Power meters

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 with expertise that spans the full breath of mechanical disciplines and is applied from architectural concept development through operations. Reporting to the Group Supervisor of Environmental Test, you will be responsible for maintaining, and certifying several EMC lab facilities at JPL, and also support the EMC engineering team in performing EMC testing on flight hardware and R&TD assignments. 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.
• Reading and understanding EMC test procedures, independently setting-up EMC tests, performing EMC tests using Tile! software, and understanding and interpreting EMC test results.
• Performing data processing during and after a test: verifying, reviewing and documenting all pertinent data.
• Finalizing data and sending to EMC Engineer/customer 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
• Preforming regular system checks of all RF components across 4 labs testing antennas such as Monopole, Bicon, Log-periodic, Double Rigged Waveguides, etc.
• 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.

Qualifications:

• Typically requires a High School Diploma with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or an Associate’s Degree with a minimum of 1 years of related experiences.
• 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
• Experience in using the ETS Lindgren Tile! EMC automated software, ability to create and run test profiles.
• Experience using a variety of Spectrum analyzers (Rohde and Schwarz ESU, FSP38, Keysight UXA), Oscilloscopes (Tektronix and Keysight), Signal generators (Keysight), Network Analyzers (Keysight PXA), Power meters (Keysight), Amplifiers (IFI and AR), antennas

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge in managing physical EMC laboratories on site, including daily upkeep, safety requirements, organization, maintenance, and calibration of over 200 components.
• Knowledge in preforming regular system checks of all RF components across 3 labs testing antennas such as Monopole, Bicon, Logperiodic, Double Rigged Waveguides
• Knowledge in 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.
• Trained in flight hardware handling, electrostatic discharge, flight mate/demate, cleanroom fundamentals, personal protective equipment, etc.
• Knowledge in 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.
• Advanced understanding of DMM, Oscilloscope, power supplies, RF amplifiers, RF measurement techniques and the use of various RF measurement instruments (specifically Spectrum Analyzers, EMI Receivers, Network Analyzers, EMI receivers, Power Meters)
• Strong working knowledge of TILE (Total Integrated Laboratory Environment) EMC test software.

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. $72,800 - $90,480

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.