Operations Systems Engineer I

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

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a detail‑oriented team member to translate science objectives into executable spacecraft/instrument activities, supporting planning, testing, and operation of the Psyche mission during its science phase.

Candidates typically hold a Bachelor's in engineering/science with 1 year experience, or a related Master's, and demonstrate cross‑disciplinary collaboration using Python, MATLAB, and mission planning tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in engineering or science with 1 year of related experience or a Master's degree.
• Understanding of science planning, instrument operations, or mission processes.
• Ability to apply standard scientific and engineering principles to planning activities.
• Ability to analyze technical information and support integrated plans.
• Ability to learn complex mission systems and tools in a team setting.
• Strong written and verbal communication for technical discussions.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate detailed Science Activity Plans translating science objectives into mission activities.
• Coordinate science observations and instrument activities across teams.
• Plan spacecraft pointing and support GNC engineering.
• Model and pre-validate science and instrument sequences.
• Develop and test new activities using the Psyche Flight System Testbed.
• Maintain operational procedures and planning tools.
• Support instrument health, telemetry monitoring, and data products.
• Investigate instrument/operational anomalies and resolve issues.
• Perform science data processing and analysis to support planning.

Skills

Science planning

Instrument operations

Mission planning

Timelines & scheduling

Python scripting

MATLAB

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or related

Master's degree in related discipline

Tools

Python

MATLAB

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.

Join JPL's Mission Systems Engineering Section and the Science Planning and Engineering Group, where science and engineering come together to plan and operate space missions. The group integrates science, flight, ground, and operations systems to help deliver missions that operate as one coherent system.

As a member of the Psyche Science Planning and Instrument Operations team, you will help translate science objectives into executable spacecraft and instrument activities and support the planning, testing, and operation of the mission as it approaches and conducts its science phase.

Responsibilities

• Develop and integrate detailed Science Activity Plans that translate science objectives into executable mission activities.
• Incorporate engineering and communications activities into integrated mission plans using mission planning and execution tools.
• Plan science-related spacecraft pointing and coordinate with Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) engineers to support implementation.
• Coordinate science observations and instrument activities across science, instrument, spacecraft, and operations teams.
• Model, analyze, and pre-validate science and instrument sequences prior to execution.
• Develop and test new activities and flight sequences using the Psyche Flight System Testbed.
• Develop and maintain operational procedures, interfaces, documentation, and planning tools.
• Support instrument operations, including monitoring instrument health and safety using real-time telemetry and downlinked data products.
• Support the investigation and resolution of instrument and operational anomalies.
• Perform science data processing and analysis in support of instrument operations and science planning.
• Support strategic and tactical science planning throughout the mission.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline with typically a minimum of 1 year of related experience; or a master's degree in a related discipline.
• General understanding of one or more of the following areas: science planning, science systems engineering, instrument operations, spacecraft or mission operations, mission systems, or related mission processes and procedures.
• Ability to apply standard scientific, engineering, or technical principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to support planning and operational activities.
• Ability to analyze technical information, identify relevant constraints and dependencies, and support the development of integrated plans and solutions.
• Ability to approach complex technical problems methodically, evaluate available information and constraints, and determine appropriate next steps with guidance from more experienced team members.
• Ability to learn complex mission systems, operational processes, and technical tools and apply that knowledge in a detail-oriented operational environment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and coordinate with scientists, engineers, instrument teams, and mission operations personnel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate technical information, planning considerations, issues, and recommendations to technical teams and management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or coursework related to spacecraft operations, science planning, instrument operations, mission planning, or systems engineering.
• Experience developing, analyzing, or working with timelines, sequences, schedules, or other operational plans.
• Familiarity with spacecraft pointing, coordinate systems, orbital mechanics, or Guidance, Navigation & Control concepts.
• Experience with scripting, data analysis, or automation using Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Experience analyzing telemetry, scientific data, engineering data, or other time-series data products.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams involving scientists and engineers.
• Familiarity with software development, testing, configuration management, or verification processes.
• Demonstrated interest in planetary science, space science, or robotic space exploration.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from