RF Microwave Engineer III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 147,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a RF Microwave Engineer III to join the Frequency and Timing Systems Group. You will develop ultralow-noise oscillators, support RF/MW assemblies for the Deep Space Network, and drive test programs for atomic clocks and metrology devices.

The role emphasizes prototype-to-flight capability, cross-functional teamwork, and advancing space-qualified timing references.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in a relevant field with years of related experience
• Experience in RF/microwave circuit design and precision timing systems
• Proven hands-on hardware development from concept to flight-model stages

Responsibilities

• Develop ultralow-noise microwave oscillators and synthesizers for precision clocks
• Support RF/microwave assemblies for DSN Frequency & Time Subsystem
• Design, assemble and test drivers for atomic clocks and metrology devices

Skills

RF microwave design

Low-noise analog electronics

Atomic clock principles

FPGA development

Hardware assembly & testing

Cross-functional communication

Mixed-signal circuitry

Education

Bachelors in Electrical & Electronics Engineering (Microwave focus)

Masters in related discipline

PhD in related discipline

Tools

Altium

HFSS

AWR Microwave Office

ADS

PSpice

OrCAD/Altium Designer

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

The JPL Communications and Instruments Division perform scientific investigations, advanced technology research, engineering developments and system implementations encompassing space telecommunications, tracking and active remote sensing using electromagnetic waves.

The Flight Communications and Tracking Section provides cost-effective space communications systems, software defined radios, high power RF amplifiers, and power supplies that support primary telecom subsystems and major radar and radiometer science payloads. The section also provides Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) flight equipment, radiometric science instruments, high stability frequency standards and clocks and seismometers for NASA/JPL missions. In addition to flight hardware expertise, the section specializes in collection of and processing of worldwide, fixed site, GNSS data that is processed into clock, atmospheric, and ionospheric GNSS correction metrics. The section also develops high stability frequency references and clocks for flight and ground applications.

The Flight Communications & Tracking Section at JPL is looking for a RF Microwave Engineer III to join their Frequency and Timing Systems Group . The Group provides the Deep Space Network (DSN) with precision atomic frequency and time references and distribution systems and operates state-of-the-art microwave and optical metrology references and test capabilities in the Frequency Standards Test Laboratory. As a member of this Group, you will have an opportunity to be involved with a diverse engineering team working in the development and implementation of advanced state-of-the-art frequency and timing systems (FTS).

Tasks

• Develop unique ultralow noise and power efficient microwave oscillators and synthesizers; reliable resonant drivers for ion traps and discharge lamps; ultralow noise power efficient analog electronics for JPLs trapped ion frequency standards with the goal to reduce size and improve performance of the clocks if compared with the recently flown Deep Space Atomic Clocks
• Support development and maintenance of RF and microwave assemblies for the Deep Space Network Frequency and Time Subsystem (FTS) on a Cognizant Engineer level. Those include S-Ka bands Comb Generation Assemblies that produce thousands of equally-spaced ultra stable microwave harmonics used for the calibration of frequencies of the spacecraft tracking as well as radio astronomy signals.
• Develop, design, assemble and test electronic drivers for the following: high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) compact and power efficient atomic clocks, unique low noise optical and radio frequency systems, and compact rugged metrology devices and microwave photonic oscillators.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with Microwave engineering focus with a minimum of 6 years of related experience, Masters in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related experience, PhD in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.
• Expertise in the development of radiofrequency resonant tank circuits, and low noise analog electronics.
• Wide-ranging hands-on experience and advanced knowledge of low noise and precision circuits.
• Familiarity of atomic clock principles.
• Experience with developing hardware from concept to prototype to engineering model to field deployed/flight model stage with the goal to operate the hardware over multiple years in the relevant environment.
• Experience with electrical and electronic design tools such as Altium and HFSS.
• Ability to assemble (both hands-on assembly and ability to work with assembly houses) and troubleshoot advanced microwave boards for impedance mismatches, parasitics, grounding issues, layout effects, and packaging imperfectness using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes with high bandwidth probes, phase noise measurement systems.

Preferred Skills

• Computer and analytical skills necessary for microwave circuit design (AWR Microwave Office, ADS, PSpice, HFSS)
• Experience with development, building and testing of circuits suitable for driving and controlling state-of-the-art frequency references and state of the art measurement techniques including cross-correlation phase noise analysis, frequency discrimination, heterodyne measurements, timing jitter and time error measurements.
• Familiarity with basics of quantum physics and spectroscopy, both fundamental and technical noise sources as well as error sources pertaining to clocks and oscillators as well as control theory and oscillator stabilization techniques.
• Significant experience with printed circuit board programs (OrCAD, Altium Designer), and experience with taking circuit analysis through design, build and test.
• Software and hardware-related experience of development of analog-digital mixed circuitry using micro-processors and FPGAs, high-resolution ADCs, and digital phase detectors
• Familiarity with computer-based data acquisition and instrumentation
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal.

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.

$146,744 - $173,472

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 .