Maintenance Technician IV

citjpl; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health/dental/vision plans

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Career development

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a Maintenance Technician IV to sustain advanced CNC and fabrication equipment essential for developing flight hardware. You will perform PM, diagnose issues, coordinate parts and vendors, and maintain logs and safety documentation as part of a collaborative team.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in CNC/conventional machining, deep familiarity with Makino, Haas, and similar systems, and a proactive approach to maintenance strategy and vendor

Qualifications

• High School diploma with extensive related experience (10+ years) in CNC and conventional machining.
• Hands-on expertise with CNC milling centers, EDM, and related fabrication equipment.
• Experience developing and maintaining preventive maintenance schedules and logs.
• Proficiency with Windows MS Office and basic computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform regular PM checks on CNC and non-CNC equipment following manufacturer guidelines.
• Diagnose and repair equipment issues; coordinate with vendors for parts and services.
• Maintain safety, LOTO compliance, and hazardous waste handling per regulations.
• Assist with equipment documentation, parts ordering, and scheduling outside technicians.

Skills

CNC milling

EDM equipment troubleshooting

CNC fabrication

Preventive maintenance

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's degree in a technical field

Bachelor's degree in a technical field

Tools

Makino

Matsuura

Mitsui Seiki

DMG Mori

Haas

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 Services Section and reports directly to the Group Supervisor for Precision Machining & Fabrication Services. We are seeking a Maintenance Technician IV to support and maintain the advanced technical facilities essential for fabricating, assembling, and testing electro‑mechanical developmental and flight hardware for current and future missions.

Some Challenges You Will Solve:

• Conduct regular functional checks and all Preventive Maintenance (PM) on all CNC and non-CNC equipment (Federal Supply Class 3400 equipment) following the maintenance logbooks and manufacturer guidelines.
• Diagnose and repair equipment issues, coordinating with outside vendors for sourcing parts and specialized repair services as necessary.
• Inspect, maintain, and replenish oils, fluids, filters, and coolant concentrations as necessary.
• Oversee chemical inventories using Chemwatch and the JPL Facility and Laboratory Assessment of Safety Hazards (FLASH) system to procure necessary supplies.
• Maintain strict adherence to institutional, OSHA, federal, state, and local guidelines, ensuring full compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, hazardous waste disposal, and safety record-keeping.
• Work closely with the Group Supervisor and leads to support all Preventive Maintenance requirements, including auditing and updating maintenance logbooks, managing equipment documentation, and handling administrative duties such as ordering parts and scheduling outside technicians.
• Work independently from technical documentation-including diagrams, schematics, notes, prints, and layouts-requiring minimal interpretation to perform repairs and support tasks.
• Locate, evaluate, and establish new vendor resources for machine repair and maintenance, partnering with Acquisition and subcontractors to schedule major repairs and purchase parts.
• Partner with the JPL Occupational Safety Program Office (OSPO) and Environmental Affairs Program Office (EAPO) to guarantee alignment with all JPL-mandated requirements.
• Proactively identify emerging equipment issues and initiate corrective actions without direction, including recommending updates to PM strategies and maintenance processes.
• Support machinery relocations, crane and forklift operations, and coordinate facility maintenance for air, water, and electrical utility systems.
• Ability to work autonomously while maintaining strong communication skills, collaborating effectively with the team, following directions, adhering to all JPL policies and guidelines, and maintaining a safe, clean, and organized workspace.

You Must Have:

• Typically a High School diploma with a minimum of 10 years of related experience; 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, plus completed technical training.
• Extensive technical knowledge and hands‑on experience in: CNC machining centers, Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) equipment, and CNC fabrication machinery troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.
• Conventional machinery and shop support equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.
• Proficiency in developing, executing, and maintaining preventive maintenance schedules and associated logbooks to track tasks, meet manufacturer recommendations, and document completed work.
• Working knowledge of computers and experience with Microsoft Office.

Got These? Even Better:

• 15+ years of experience working as a maintenance technician on CNC and conventional shop machinery.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing CNC machining centers such as Makino, Matsuura, Mitsui Seiki, DMG Mori, and Haas, Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) equipment such as Mitsubishi and AgieCharmilles, CNC fabrication machinery such as OMAX waterjets and Amada press brakes.

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.