Mechanical Systems Engineer IV

California Institute Of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 170,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory seeks a senior Mechanical Systems Engineer to lead hardware development for spacecraft payloads and instruments. You will drive system architecture, requirements, and verification strategies across all mission phases, delivering high-confidence designs and critical technical decisions.

You'll mentor engineers, guide multidisciplinary teams, and present progress to management. This role requires active TS clearance and U.S.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience translating mission needs into system architectures and requirements.
• Ability to lead reviews and set technical direction for spaceflight hardware.
• Demonstrated project planning, scheduling, and multi-team leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical hardware development for payloads, instruments, and spacecraft across all mission phases.
• Approve requirements, interfaces, and V&V plans to ensure technical integrity.
• Generate and maintain engineering documentation, data packages, and design artifacts.
• Direct complex trade studies and drive major technical decisions with mission impact.

Skills

Mechanical systems

Leadership

Requirements management

CAD modeling

V&V planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Teamcenter

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 senior-level opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (35), which creates advanced mechanical, robotics, thermal, propulsion, onboard GNC, and electronic packaging systems. Division 35 develops hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem and system-level integration, and test. You will be working as a Mechanical Systems Engineer within the Mechanical Engineering, Integration, and Test Section (352), which leads the design, analysis, development, integration, and test of flight mechanical and robotic systems for spacecraft, payloads, and ground-based systems.

• Lead mechanical hardware development and mechanical systems engineering activities for payloads, instruments, and spacecraft across all mission phases including proposal, concept/system architecture development, detailed design, integration and test (I&T), and flight operations.
• Approve requirements, interfaces, verification and validation (V&V) plans, and key engineering products to ensure technical integrity and mission success.
• Lead and guide the generation and maintenance of engineering documentation, design artifacts, and technical data packages.
• Direct complex trade studies, oversee development of highly complex technical models, and drive major technical decisions with significant mission and organizational impact.
• Lead the definition, documentation, and management of technical requirements, interfaces, and mechanical systems engineering products for spaceflight missions.
• Ensure delivered products meet all technical requirements and programmatic commitments by exercising broad judgment and authority over technical direction.
• Advise and contribute significantly to cost and schedule estimation and implementation planning of mechanical engineering components.
• Present technical work to line, project, and management audiences, representing system status and major decisions.
• Provide mentorship, coaching, technical guidance, and oversight for engineers, designers, analysts, and cross-disciplinary team members.
• Work independently with wide latitude while forming and leading multidisciplinary teams to address high-impact technical challenges.

Note: As a temporary position, this assignment may last up to 36 months in duration with approvals based on 6 to 12-month assignments. However, please note that you are not under any employment contract and your temporary employment status can be terminated at any time, with or without notice.

Required Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with typically a minimum of 9 years of related experience; Master’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; or PhD with a minimum of years of related experience. Extensive experience with research, development, design, analysis, assembly, integration, test, or verification of mechanical systems for spaceflight or similarly complex environments. Demonstrated ability to translate mission-level needs into system architectures, technical requirements, and implementation strategies. Experience exercising technical authority, approving engineering products, and leading critical reviews. Proven ability to plan tasks, lead projects, manage schedules, and deliver on commitments in complex multi-organizational environments. Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen with an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) within a 5-year scope and must be able to be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) accesses.

Desired Skills

Experience leading development and delivery of spaceflight hardware or other complex mechanical systems. Demonstrated success defining and approving requirements, interfaces, V&V plans, and risk mitigation strategies at subsystem or system levels. Expertise in CAD modeling tools (NX, SolidWorks, Teamcenter) and advanced analysis methods (classical and FEA). Deep knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5. Strong ability to innovate, solve unprecedented engineering challenges, and lead multidisciplinary teams. Strong communication skills and ability to present complex information to management, partners, and external organizations. Experience representing organizations in technical reviews and coordinating across multiple teams and partners. Aerospace fabrication processes, specifically composite structures Aerospace material selection and implementation, specifically composite structures Experience with Mass Properties Engineering CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Understanding of JPL, NASA, and Aerospace Corporation policies and procedures Experience JAMA Experience with Opto-Mechanical Hardware Design, Implementation, and Test.

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. $170,144 - $215,800

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.