Power Systems Engineer II

California Institute Of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 119,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

Dental plan

Vision plan

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning programs

Rideshare

Childcare support

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA seeks a Power Systems Engineer II to lead end-to-end power subsystem development for space missions. You will define requirements, architectures, and interfaces, and work across avionics, power, and instrument electronics to ensure robust flight hardware delivery and successful mission operations.

The role emphasizes systems engineering, power electronics, and reliability, with opportunities to contribute to radiation-tolerant designs and V&V

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field with 3+ years of experience
• Master's degree in a similar discipline with 1+ year of experience
• PhD in a similar discipline with 0 years of experience
• Experience delivering hardware and ATLO operations
• Knowledge of grounding, EMI/EMC, harness design and battery management
• Experience with power converter topologies and closed-loop control using MCUs/FPGA

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage power system and electrical system requirements
• Develop and execute V&V plans on JPL lead projects/missions
• Develop power system architectures and power subsystem definitions for new missions
• Perform power system sizing and resource management
• Document electrical interfaces across spacecraft for robust design and flight harness fabrication
• Collaborate with power designers to define optimum architectures
• Perform architectural trades balancing technical, schedule, and cost constraints
• Develop grounding diagrams for EMI/EMC compliance
• Produce detailed design products and as-built documentation
• Present power system concepts to management and project teams
• Adhere to standards for power and electrical systems engineering quality

Skills

Power systems design

Analog electronics

Controls

Systems engineering

Electrical design

Reliability engineering

Grounding/EMI/EMC

Power electronics

Testing/ATLO operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in a similar discipline

PhD in a similar discipline

Tools

Altium Designer

LTSPICE

PLECS

Oscilloscope

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.

Challenge yourself to take a significant role in the development of JPL's next generation of electronics, power systems, and technology to reliably propel JPL missions to the inner and outer solar system. As a Power & Electrical Systems Engineer II for the Power Systems Engineering group, you will be working within the Avionics, Power, & Instrument Electronics Section. This section is responsible for design, analysis, fabrication, testing, verification and operations of electronics, electrical ground support equipment, and power flight systems for JPL missions. This section is JPL's technical center of excellence for advanced computing, instrument electronics, motor control electronics, advanced power electronics, thermoelectric, electrochemical, and photovoltaic technologies. We are seeking a curious, motivated Power Systems Engineer II to support the implementation of end-to-end power subsystem solutions, including supporting the delivery of power hardware and operations. As a systems engineer, you will be involved in all phases of the mission life cycle including technical concept development, hardware implementation, delivery, and operations. A systems engineer is highly motivated and creative with the ability to oversee, balance and integrate technical and program-related issues in an end-to-end manner to ensure that the total system satisfies the project and mission requirements.

Tasks

• Develop and manage power system and electrical system requirements
• Develop and execute V&V plans on JPL lead projects/missions
• Develop power system architectures and power subsystem definition on new mission proposals
• Perform power system sizing & resource management
• Develop and document electrical interfaces across a spacecraft to ensure a self-compatible, robust design implementation and to support the fabrication of flight harnesses
• Work effectively with power designers in defining optimum architectures
• Perform architectural trades to optimize systems across technical, schedule, and cost constraints
• Develop grounding diagrams in support of a compliant EMI/EMC approach
• Produce detailed, complex, and accurate design products in support of hardware development and to document the as-built configuration
• Present complex power system concepts to different levels of line management and project teams
• Understand and follow standards for power and electrical systems engineering architecture, design, and execution including clear expectations for quality

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, or related technical subject area, with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience
• Masters in a similar discipline with a minimum of 1 year of related work experience
• PhD in a similar discipline with 0 years of related work experience
• Recently demonstrated experience in defining and delivering hardware
• Extensive knowledge of the observables in electronic control systems and data acquisition systems
• Extensive understanding of one or more of the following areas: Analog Electronics, Controls, Power Systems Design, Systems Engineering, Electrical Systems Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Integration and Test
• Extensive understanding of principles, theories, concepts and techniques in Power Systems Engineering
• Experience in power electronic design including schematics, reliability analysis, board layout, and testing
• Experience delivering flight hardware, supporting ATLO operations, and in-flight operations
• Extensive knowledge of grounding, EMI/EMC, harness design, electrical compatibility, signal integrity, safety and inhibit architectures, battery management, pyros and propulsion drivers, and multi-stage vehicles
• Knowledge related to the development, testing, integration, and use of solar arrays and batteries for space applications
• Extensive experience with standard electronic test equipment: oscilloscope, power supply, logic analyzer, etc.
• Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose problems to determine the root cause
• Experience in power converter topologies, power switching, and closed-loop power control systems and their implementation using microcontrollers and/or FPGAs
• Excellent oral and interpersonal skills
• Strong interpersonal skills

Preferred Skills

• Experience with power subsystem hardware, electrical interfaces, and complex integrated systems
• Complete knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations across a range of applications.
• Knowledge of industry, military, and/or academic practices and standards system development.
• Extensive experience in hardware development and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency with Altium Designer, LTSPICE, and PLECS
• Ability to multi-task meet schedule milestones

Benefits and Perks

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. $118,872 - $143,000

Equal Opportunity Employer 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 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.

About JPL

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.