Radiation Effects Test Engineer II - SEE/TID & Automation

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 107,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks an early-career Radiation Effects Test Engineer to develop test hardware and automation software, and characterize microelectronics for space missions. The role combines SEE and TID testing with embedded systems development.

You'll design custom test boards, automate measurements, and analyze radiation-induced changes, working with senior engineers to support component selection and radiation hardness decisions for mission systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelors with 3 years of related experience, or master’s degree with 1 year of related experience in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a closely related field, or a PhD with 0 years of related experience
• Hands-on experience with radiation effects testing or characterization through university research, an internship, or employment, including SEE and TID
• Experience developing Python software for instrument control, test automation, or data acquisition
• Experience with schematic capture and printed circuit board layout using Altium Designer or a comparable electronic design tool, along with hands-on hardware debugging
• Working knowledge of analog and digital circuits and laboratory electrical measurement, including configuring bias conditions and monitoring device behavior
• Experience with embedded C or C++ and microcontroller- or FPGA-based hardware
• Ability to document experimental methods and results, communicate findings, and complete assigned technical work with senior technical review

Responsibilities

• Develop reusable Python software to configure instruments and log data
• Design schematics and PCB layouts for device biasing, monitoring, functional testing, and electrical characterization before, during, and after irradiation
• Integrate programmable power supplies, source measure units, digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, function generators, and relay or switch matrices
• Develop embedded software and device interfaces for microcontroller, FPGA, and SoC test platforms
• Prepare devices and evaluation boards for radiation testing by establishing operating conditions and verifying monitoring paths
• Support SEE testing at accelerator facilities and TID testing in the laboratory
• Analyze upsets, transients, latchup, burnout, and dose‑dependent parameter degradation
• Write test plans and reports, document hardware and software, and present results to colleagues and project teams

Skills

Python scripting

Embedded C/C++

Schematic capture

PCB layout

Lab measurements

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering

PhD in a related field

Tools

Altium Designer

FPGA development tools

Job description

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks an early-career Radiation Effects Test Engineer to develop test hardware and automation software, and characterize microelectronics for space missions. The role combines SEE and TID testing with embedded systems development.

You'll design custom test boards, automate measurements, and analyze radiation-induced changes, working with senior engineers to support component selection and radiation hardness decisions for mission systems.