Environmental Development Technician IV

citjpl; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks an Environmental Development Technician to support mechanical fabrication and environmental testing of flight hardware. You will help configure shakers, chambers, and data acquisition systems, ensuring safe handling and compliance with ESD and cleanroom protocols.

The role requires hands-on testing experience, ability to read drawings, and strong troubleshooting skills.

Qualifications

• Experience with LN2/GN2 and pressure systems design, assembly and maintenance.
• Ability to install accelerometers and instrumentation wiring.
• Familiarity with electrodynamic shakers and acoustic chambers.
• Experience operating shakers and using vibration/data acquisition software.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and test procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting and independent working skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, configure, and support dynamic test equipment including shakers and acoustic chambers.
• Assist setup, alignment, and operation of vibration and modal tests.
• Configure HBK LanXI DAQ and LabVIEW instrumentation for tests.
• Use m+p VibeRunner to configure and run dynamics tests.
• Perform pre/post-test instrumentation verification and inspections.
• Work safely around flight hardware following cleanroom and ESD requirements.
• Fabricate and troubleshoot instrumentation cables for testing.

Skills

LN2 & GN2 handling

Pressure systems design/maintenance

Instrumentation wiring

Accelerometers & transducers

Vibration test setup

m+p VibeRunner

LabVIEW instrumentation

Shaker operation

Engineering drawings reading

Troubleshooting electrical systems

Education

High School diploma with 8+ years related experience

Associate's degree with 6+ years related experience

Bachelor's degree with 3+ years related experience

Tools

HBK LanXI DAQ

LabVIEW-based instrumentation

VibeRunner software

Mass properties measurement equipment

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 Mechanical Systems Engineering, Fabrication and Test Division which 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.

As a Environmental Development Technician you will be working for Mechanical Fabrication & Test Section which maintains technical support facilities and resources that provide the services required to fabricate, assemble, and test electro-mechanical developmental and flight hardware. This Section develops and matures equipment and technologies, which enable and enhance our fabrication and environmental test capability for current and future missions.

Some Challenges You Will Tackle:

• Prepare, configure, and support dynamic test equipment including small and large shakers, acoustic chambers, tunable beam systems, and Mass Properties (CG/MOI/POI) equipment.


• Assist with setup, alignment, and operation of vibration, acoustic, shock, sine, random vibration, sine burst, and modal test configurations.


• Configure and operate HBK (Brüel & Kjær) LanXI data acquisition systems and LabVIEW-based instrumentation for dynamic testing.


• Use m+p VibeRunner software to configure, monitor, and execute dynamics test operations.


• Perform pre-test instrumentation verification, post-test inspections, and help troubleshoot instrumentation and electrical systems.


• Work safely around flight hardware following ESD, cleanroom, and critical item handling requirements.


• Fabricate, terminate, label, route, and troubleshoot instrumentation and signal cables supporting vibration, acoustic, shock, and modal testing.

******IMPORTANT******* This position, because of its associated job duties, has been determined by JPL to be safety-sensitive as defined in JPL's Drug Free Workplace Requirement. An employee holding this position will be subject to periodic, unannounced, random drug testing. Please refer to JPL's Drug Free Workplace Requirement for more information. Candidates who are hired into designated safety-sensitive positions will be included in a pool from which individuals are randomly selected to participate in the unannounced drug testing.

Qualifications:

Typically requires a High School diploma with minimum of 8 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 3 years of related experience; and related required training.

• Experience with the use of LN2, GN2, and the design, assembly and fabrication or maintenance of pressure systems


• Experience installing accelerometers, force transducers, strain gauges, and instrumentation wiring.


• Knowledge of electrodynamic shakers, acoustic chambers, tunable shock beams, and mass properties machines, their operation, and some maintenance.


• Experience operating and maintaining shakers.


• Experience using m+p VibeRunner software or similar vibration control/data acquisition software.


• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and test procedures.


• Demonstrated troubleshooting skills for instrumentation, electrical systems, and dynamic test equipment.


• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively.


• Ability to work in a cleanroom environment with the appropriate gloves, hat, booties, smock etc. in support of flight hardware testing.


• Ability to be available to work day and evening shifts, overtime, weekends, and/or holidays, as needed.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience operating and maintaining acoustic chambers, tunable shock beams, and mass properties machines.


• Experience with HBK (Brüel & Kjær) LanXI DAQ systems.


• Knowledge of Electro Static Discharge (ESD) hazards and awareness, Foreign Object Debris (FOD) management, hazard communication, cleanroom protocols and personnel protective equipment, Job Safety Analysis, Lockout/Tagout procedures, and handling of critical flight hardware and testing equipment.


• Fall restraint knowledge and experience


• Knowledge of fabrication of thermal couples, the operation of multi-meters, signal generators, and di