JPL Postdoc: Robust Low-Thrust Trajectory Design and Optimization for Deep Space Missions

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 75,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health

Dental

Vision

Wellbeing

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning

Rideshare

Childcare

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, invites a postdoctoral researcher to conduct independent work on robust low-thrust trajectory design for deep-space missions, with emphasis on operational constraints and uncertainties.

The successful candidate will develop new optimization methods, apply them to the Psyche mission, and collaborate with JPL teams while publishing results and advancing spacecraft navigation theory.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in low-thrust trajectory optimization and spacecraft mission design.
• Experience with numerical optimization methods, orbital mechanics, and trajectory analysis.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.
• Peer-reviewed publications in the field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research in robust low-thrust trajectory optimization and mission design.
• Develop new optimization methodologies accounting for uncertainties, safe-mode recovery, and eclipse constraints.
• Apply trajectory design techniques to Psyche and other deep-space mission scenarios.
• Develop computational tools to support low-thrust mission analysis.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Low-thrust optimization

Trajectory design

Numerical optimization

Programming (Python)

Scientific communication

Publications

Education

PhD in Aerospace Engineering (or Physics)

PhD in Physics

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C++

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.

JPL is unique among NASA Centers in that its staff are Caltech employees, yet can access NASA technical resources. Cross‑discipline teamwork is standard here: colleagues across JPL's science and engineering organizations and on Caltech's academic campus often work together. Learning to speak and understand other disciplines' languages is a doorway to the creativity needed to do what has not been done before. JPL staff are encouraged to create mission concepts that address humanity's core questions through a combination of science and technology. They are supported in developing ideas into proposals and hardware, and in communicating funded missions' results to the scientific community and the broader public. JPL seeks to employ scientists and engineers who are passionate about lifelong learning and excited to both contribute to and lead team efforts. We emphasize the importance of partnering across discipline boundaries and creating a friendly, constructive work environment to overcome space exploration's challenges.

The Postdoctoral scholars at JPL benefit from an informal mentoring network, an annual conference showcasing their results, a dedicated seminar series, exposure to diverse career paths, and social connections across the JPL and Caltech community for advice on housing, childcare, and other aspects of living in southern California. JPL is seeking a postdoc to conduct independent research in advanced low‑thrust trajectory design and optimization for future deep space missions.

The successful candidate will develop novel methodologies for designing robust low‑thrust trajectories that account for realistic operational constraints and uncertainties, using the Psyche mission as a primary application. The research will focus on expanding the theoretical foundations of low‑thrust mission design by developing optimization approaches that are resilient to operational challenges such as safe‑mode events, eclipse geometries, and other mission uncertainties. The postdoc will investigate innovative trajectory optimization algorithms, evaluate their performance using realistic mission scenarios, and publish research that advances the state of the art in spacecraft navigation and mission design. Working within JPL's Mission Design and Navigation section, the postdoc will collaborate with researchers while leading an independent research that contributes to JPL's capabilities in low‑thrust trajectory optimization.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research in robust low‑thrust trajectory optimization and mission design.
• Develop new optimization methodologies that account for operational uncertainties, safe‑mode recovery, and eclipse constraints.
• Apply advanced trajectory design techniques to the Psyche mission and other representative deep space mission scenarios.
• Develop computational tools and algorithms to support low‑thrust mission analysis.
• Publish research findings in peer‑reviewed journals and present results at scientific conferences.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in low‑thrust trajectory optimization and spacecraft mission design.
• Experience with numerical optimization methods, orbital mechanics, and trajectory analysis.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar scientific computing languages).
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and scientific communication skills.
• Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications relevant to the research area.

The appointee will carry out research in collaboration with JPL advisor, resulting in publications in the open literature. Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA.

Postdoc positions are awarded for a minimum of one‑year period and may be renewed up to a maximum of three years.

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.

Benefits

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave
• many more

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 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. $83,820 - $83,820.

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.