Power Electronics Engineer III

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 133,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

health

dental

vision

wellbeing

retirement plans

paid time off

learning

rideshare

childcare

flexible schedule

parental leave

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a Power Electronics Engineer III with extensive space hardware development experience. You will lead electronics design, testing, and integration for flight hardware, overseeing budgets, schedules, and progress reporting.

The role emphasizes electronics development from concept to delivery, with a strong preference for prior aerospace experience and the ability to obtain required security clearance.

Qualifications

• Requires bachelor’s/master’s/PhD in electrical engineering or related field.
• Deep understanding of analog, digital, and mixed-signal electronics.
• Experience with power systems design and space hardware development.

Responsibilities

• Lead power electronics tasks from concept through build, test and delivery.
• Develop system designs and requirements for space power systems.
• Design and test power and sensor electronics for space missions and high-reliability applications.
• Maintain documentation for development, reliability, analytics, drawings, and test.

Skills

Analog Electronics

Digital Electronics

Power Systems Design

Mixed-Signal Electronics

Circuit Design

Altium

LTspice

LabVIEW

Python

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or similar

Master’s degree in similar disciplines

PhD in similar discipline

Tools

Altium Designer

LTspice

Python

Job description

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That is 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 youre driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, youre 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

JPL’s Power Electronics Group within the Avionics, Power, & Instrument Electronics Section is dedicated to developing power subsystem electronics concepts, implementing power system architecture designs, designing and ensuring implementation of hardware for flight projects, and supporting project formulation and proposals. We are seeking a creative, experienced Power Electronics Engineer III, with expertise in space hardware development and task leadership, to join the group and participate in developing the next generation of space power hardware. The Power Electronics Engineer III will lead power electronics tasks within JPL's Power Electronics Group, taking designs from concept through build, test, and delivery for space flight hardware. This role carries task-level leadership responsibility, including planning and executing budgets and schedules, developing system designs and requirements, and reporting technical progress to Line, Project, and Institutional Management.

Candidates should bring several years of hands-on power electronics design and test experience, with a strong preference for prior aerospace or space hardware development. As a Power Electronics Engineer in the JPL Power Electronics Group, you will be designing and testing electronics subsystems and support equipment and will be involved in all aspects of power electronics development from concept to delivery.

Tasks

• Participate as part of a subsystem electronics development team and helping with reviews of electronics, electronics test equipment, and test plans.
• Develop and execute task plans and budgets for power and sensor space flight electronics through development, build, test, and delivery to higher level of integration.
• Developing system designs and requirements for space power systems and power electronics.
• Design and develop power and sensor electronics for space missions and other high-reliability applications.
• Youll have responsibility for all documentation related to conceptual development, reliability, structural, and thermal analyses, design drawings, and build, assembly, and test.
• Report on technical progress, schedule, and budget to Line, Project, and Institutional Management.
• Developing advanced electronics technology and improving and enabling future missions and supporting the development of mission proposals through expertise in the current state-of-the-practice in space electronics.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or similar technical discipline with typically a minimum of 6 years of related work experience, a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with typically a minimum of 4 years of related work experience, or a PhD in a similar discipline with typically a minimum of 2 years of related work experience. Deep understanding and experience in Analog, Digital and Mixed-Signal Electronics, Controls, or Power Systems Design, including power control systems. Proven experience in crafting, developing, fabricating, assembly and testing of analog or power electronics hardware. Experience with test software and hardware, particularly using LabView and Python test equipment, including the selection, assembly, and use of electronic bench test equipment. Knowledge of circuit design and board design software associated (Altium and LTspice) with electronics development. Industry and/or academic practices and standards across a range of applications related to the development, testing and integration of electronic assemblies for space applications. Strong communication and interpersonal skills in relating to both internal and external customers. Strong ability to multi-task with an established track record of meeting schedules with milestones. Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work with fluctuating and competing environments. Must be able to obtain and maintain any required U.S. Government security clearance, and be able to work with export-controlled (ITAR) hardware and technical data, which may require U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency.

Preferred Skills

• Design, build, and test Power Converter Units (PCUs) and Power Distribution Units (PDUs) for space applications.
• The use of computer aided engineering tools to support the electronics design process.
• The application of principles, theories, concepts and techniques in electronic circuit design, simulation, and test, particularly focused on analog electronics in space environments.
• Experience taking a design from concept to Design, Build, Test and Deliver for a Space mission Military, Aerospace & Space hardware development experience.

Benefits

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. 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.

• health
• dental
• vision
• wellbeing
• retirement plans
• paid time off
• learning
• rideshare
• childcare
• flexible schedule
• parental leave

Salary and Hiring Range

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.

$133,224 - $158,704

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Security and Eligibility

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.

History

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.