Material Control Administrator II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California invites a Material Control Administrator II to join the Project Device Engineering team, supporting end-to-end procurement for EEE parts and related services under strict government and NASA procurement guidelines.

You will coordinate with engineers, vendors, and internal teams, prepare PRs and P-Card transactions, track statuses, ensure documentation compliance, and contribute to risk management and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of related experience, or Master’s with 1 year of related experience.
• Experience in procurement or purchasing roles involving parts, materials, and supplies.
• Knowledge of high-reliability electronic components for space-flight or aerospace applications.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet milestones and schedule commitments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Ability to work independently on complex assignments with minimal supervision.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented with problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in government, aerospace, NASA procurement preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Assist and manage end-to-end procurement support process for EEE parts and related services.
• Prepare and process Purchase Requisitions (PRs), P-Card transactions, and associated procurement documentation.
• Coordinate with Acquisition Subcontract Managers, PPEs, Parts Reps, vendors, subsystem leads, and requesters to ensure actions are on schedule.
• Track procurement status, maintain databases, and provide regular status updates and reports.
• Ensure procurement documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with institutional requirements.
• Support Return Material Authorization (RMA) activities and material disposition coordination.
• Identify procurement issues to minimize impacts to schedules and deliverables.
• Ensure all acquisitions comply with JPL Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM).
• Maintain organized electronic and physical records of procurement activities.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Prioritization

Independent work

Cross-functional teamwork

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree in related field

Tools

ERP systems

MRP systems

Oracle Purchasing

P-Card systems

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.

Responsibilities

The Component Engineering, Technology, and Assurance Office (114) develops and implements electronic parts programs that ensure high-quality components perform as expected for JPL projects and instruments. The Component Engineering, Technology, and Assurance Office (114) is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented professional Material Control Administrator II to join the Project Device Engineering team in an Order Desk role. This position plays a critical role in supporting flight and institutional projects by coordinating and managing procurement activities for EEE parts, materials, and related services.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting and managing the end-to-end procurement support process, ensuring compliance with JPL, Caltech, NASA, and federal procurement requirements while meeting project cost and schedule objectives.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Reviewing procurement requests and obtaining moderately complex procurement information (including availability & cost) for EEE parts and related services / items in a timely manner. Preparing and processing Purchase Requisitions (PRs), Procurement Card (P-Card) transactions, and associated procurement documentation.
• Coordinating with Acquisition Subcontract Managers, Project Parts Engineers (PPEs), Parts Reps, vendors, subsystem leads, and requesters to ensure procurement actions are executed accurately and on schedule.
• Tracking procurement status, maintaining procurement databases, and providing regular status updates and reports to project stakeholders.
• Ensuring all procurement documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with institutional requirements.
• Supporting Return Material Authorization (RMA) activities and material disposition coordination with vendors and internal organizations.
• Identifying procurement issues proactively to minimize impacts to project schedules and deliverables.
• Ensure all EEE part acquisitions comply with the JPL Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM).
• Maintaining organized electronic and physical records related to procurement activities and transactions.

The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment. The candidate should demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently on important assignments and projects with only limited supervision.

Experience with government, aerospace, NASA, or regulated procurement environments is highly desirable. Familiarity with EEE parts procurement processes and supply chain coordination is a plus.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of related experience, or Master’s with 1 years of related experience. Experience in similar role for purchasing parts, materials or supplies.
• Demonstrated experience in procurement or purchasing roles involving parts, materials, and supplies.
• Strong understanding of the selection, procurement, manufacturing, use, testing, and screening of high-reliability electronic components for space-flight or aerospace applications.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while consistently meeting project milestones and schedule commitments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate across various teams.
• Ability to work independently on complex assignments and projects with minimal supervision, operating effectively under general direction.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented with problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross-functional teams in support of projects, procurement activities, or operational initiatives.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and effectively prioritize tasks from multiple stakeholders to achieve optimal business outcomes.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working within Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and/or Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to build effective working relationships across diverse teams and organizations.
• Experience with Oracle Purchasing modules and JPL P-Card systems.
• Working knowledge of JPL purchasing requirements, policies, and procurement processes.
• Familiarity with electronic component part numbers, part families, and identification methods.
• Have a proactive approach to issue resolution and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of process improvement, operational efficiency, and workflow optimization initiatives.

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.

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.

$78,728 - $93,912

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.