Power Electronics Engineer III

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA seeks a Power Electronics Engineer III to lead space power electronics development. You will drive designs from concept to flight hardware, manage budgets and schedules, and report progress to management.

Prior aerospace experience and strong leadership are highly valued. You will work within JPL’s Power Electronics Group on high-reliability space missions, collaborating across teams and ensuring documentation, testing, and integration

Qualifications

• BS in electrical engineering or related field with 6+ years experience, MS with 4+ or PhD with 2+ years.
• Deep experience in analog, digital and mixed-signal electronics and power systems design.
• Experience crafting and testing analog or power electronics hardware.

Responsibilities

• Lead power electronics tasks from concept through build, test and delivery.
• Develop system designs and requirements for space power systems.
• Design, test and validate power and sensor electronics for space missions.

Skills

Power electronics

Leadership

Project planning

Communication

Test equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

LabView

Python

Altium

LTspice

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:

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 PowerElectronics Engineer in the JPLPower 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 include but are not limited to:

• Participate as part of a subsystem electronics development team and help 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.
• Develop 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.
• You’ll 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.
• Develop advanced electronics technology and improve and enable future missions and support the development of mission proposals through expertise in the current state‑of‑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

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.

$133,224 - $158,704

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.