Environmental Test Technician III: Thermal Vacuum Ops

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 88,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Environmental Development Technician to support the Mechanical Fabrication & Test Section, focusing on environmental test hardware, vacuum and thermal chambers, and cryogenic handling. This role contributes to the development and testing of flight hardware and requires adherence to safety and cleanroom practices.

You will configure equipment, install sensors, troubleshoot systems, perform chamber maintenance, and coordinate with

Qualifications

• High School diploma with 8+ years related experience; or an Associate's degree with 4+ years; or a Bachelor's degree with 1+ year.
• Experience with LN2, GN2, and pressure system design, assembly, maintenance.
• Experience operating Vacuum Chambers and solar simulators.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, schematics, and test procedures.
• Troubleshooting skills for instrumentation, electrical systems, and thermal vacuum test equipment.
• Ability to work independently, in a cleanroom, and accommodate shift work.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, configure, and support thermal test equipment including vacuum chambers.
• Assist with setup and operation of vacuum and thermal chambers.
• Install, route, and verify thermocouples and temperature sensors.
• Troubleshoot vacuum, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• Perform chamber leak checks, pump-down operations, and system readiness checks.
• Monitor thermal vacuum testing and respond to test anomalies.
• Support test article installation, chamber closeout, and post-test hardware removal.
• Perform routine chamber maintenance and repairs.
• Coordinate with engineers and technicians to prepare for environmental testing.
• Handle xenon arc lamps and Solar Simulator operations.

Skills

Vacuum system operation

Thermal vacuum testing

Instrumentation troubleshooting

Independence and communication

Education

High School diploma with related experience

Associates/Bachelor with related experience

Tools

Vacuum chambers

Cryogenic liquids handling

Thermocouples and sensors

Pressure systems maintenance

Job description

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks an Environmental Development Technician to support the Mechanical Fabrication & Test Section, focusing on environmental test hardware, vacuum and thermal chambers, and cryogenic handling. This role contributes to the development and testing of flight hardware and requires adherence to safety and cleanroom practices.

You will configure equipment, install sensors, troubleshoot systems, perform chamber maintenance, and coordinate with