Material Control Administrator III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 98,176 - 116,480; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a seasoned Material Control Administrator III to manage end-to-end procurement for EEE parts and related services, ensuring compliance with JPL, Caltech, NASA, and federal requirements.

You will coordinate with vendors, PPEs, and subsystems, track status, prepare PRs and P-Card transactions, and maintain records while meeting project cost and schedule goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 6+ years or Master’s with 4+ years in procurement.
• 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 simultaneously while meeting milestones.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across technical and non-technical teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational, self-motivation, and analytical problem-solving abilities.
• Experience leading cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams in procurement or operations.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and prioritize tasks from multiple stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Review procurement requests and obtain budgetary and vendor quotes for EEE parts, materials, and services.
• Prepare and process Purchase Requisitions (PRs), Procurement Card (P-Card) transactions, and related documentation.
• Coordinate with Acquisition Subcontract Managers, Project Parts Engineers, Parts Reps, vendors, subsystem leads, and requesters for timely procurement actions.
• Track procurement status, maintain databases, and provide regular status updates to stakeholders.
• Ensure procurement documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with institutional requirements.
• Support Return Material Authorization (RMA) activities and material disposition coordination.
• Identify and resolve procurement issues to minimize impacts on schedules and deliverables.
• Ensure all EEE part acquisitions comply with JPL Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM).
• Maintain organized electronic and physical records of procurement activities.

Skills

Procurement coordination

Attention to detail

Cross-functional teamwork

Analytical skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree (required)

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

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) is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional to join the Project Device Engineering in an Order Desk role. This Material Control Administrator III 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 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 budgetary and vendor quotes for EEE parts, materials, and related services.
• 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 and resolving 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 multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The candidate should demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams.

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 a minimum of 6 years of related experience, or Master’s with a minimum of 4 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 technical and non-technical 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 strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional and multidisciplinary 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.

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.

$98,176 - $116,480

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.