Maintenance Technician IV

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL); United States; On-site; USD 91,000 - 114,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA seeks a Maintenance Technician IV to support and maintain advanced facilities for fabricating, assembling, and testing electro‑mechanical developmental and flight hardware for current and future missions.

You will perform preventive maintenance on CNC and non‑CNC equipment, diagnose issues, manage documentation, coordinate parts and outside technicians, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental policies while working with a

Qualifications

• 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, EDM equipment, and CNC fabrication machinery diagnostics and repair
• Conventional machinery and shop support equipment maintenance and repair
• Troubleshooting electrical and mechanical systems
• Experience creating, executing, and maintaining Preventive Maintenance schedules, as well as creating and updating shop Redbooks to capture maintenance tasks, meet manufacturer recommendations and operational requirements, and document completed work.
• Strong attention to detail and thorough documentation skills for all machinery preventive maintenance and repairs (records are subject to periodic audits by internal facility personnel and NASA auditors).
• Working knowledge of computers and experience with Microsoft Office.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular functional checks and preventive maintenance (PM) on all CNC and non-CNC equipment (Federal Supply Class 3400 equipment) following the Redbooks 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 FLASH system to procure necessary supplies.
• Maintain adherence to OSHA, federal, state, and local guidelines, ensuring full compliance with LOTO procedures, hazardous waste disposal, and safety records.
• Work with Supervisors and leads to support Preventive Maintenance, audit/update Redbooks, and handle ordering parts and scheduling outside technicians.
• Work independently from diagrams and layouts to perform repairs and support tasks.
• Locate, evaluate, and establish new vendor resources for machine repair and maintenance, coordinating with Acquisition and subcontractors.
• Partner with OSPO and EAPO to align with JPL requirements.
• Identify emerging equipment issues and initiate corrective actions, updating PM strategies as needed.
• Support machinery relocations, crane and forklift operations, and coordinate maintenance for utility systems.

Skills

Autonomy

Attention to detail

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

High School diploma

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree

Technical training

Tools

Microsoft Office

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 preventive maintenance (PM) on all CNC and non-CNC equipment (Federal Supply Class 3400 equipment) following the Redbooks (machinery 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 Redbooks, 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.

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, EDM equipment, and CNC fabrication machinery diagnostics and repair

- Conventional machinery and shop support equipment maintenance and repair

- Troubleshooting electrical and mechanical systems

- Experience creating, executing, and maintaining Preventive Maintenance schedules, as well as creating and updating shop Redbooks to capture maintenance tasks, meet manufacturer recommendations and operational requirements, and document completed work.

- Strong attention to detail and thorough documentation skills for all machinery preventive maintenance and repairs (records are subject to periodic audits by internal facility personnel and NASA auditors).

- Working knowledge of computers and experience with Microsoft Office.

- 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.

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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, 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. 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.

$91,312 - $114,088

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 .