Senior Actuator Technician: Flight Hardware & Test

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 94,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Flexible schedule

Paid time off

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks an Actuator Technician to join the Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Services Section. You will perform assembly, integration, and testing for flight and prototype actuator hardware, mentoring junior technicians and improving assembly processes.

Ideal candidates have deep electromechanical expertise, strong metalworking and bonding skills, and the ability to interpret complex drawings and diagrams, while adhering to cleanroom and safety

Qualifications

• Typically requires a High School diploma with a minimum of 10 years of aerospace experience specializing in electromechanical assembly; or an Associate’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of related experience.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and schematics, including electrical diagrams, equipment manuals, and assembly/test procedures.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with electromechanical systems, including assembly, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and fault isolation in support of actuator development.

Responsibilities

• Assemble flight and prototype actuators and support integration into higher-level subsystems.
• Read and follow engineering drawings, assembly procedures, and electrical diagrams; select appropriate tools for precision electromechanical work.
• Ensure strict adherence to flight‑hardware handling, contamination‑control practices, cleanroom protocols, and safety requirements.
• Bond thermal hardware components, including surface preparation and adhesive mixing.
• Support electrical integration activities, including harness mates/demates, cable routing, safe‑to‑mate checks, and basic signal‑path troubleshooting.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical system failures by determining root‑cause and corrective action.
• Operate thermal chambers and actuator testing equipment.
• Support functional and environmental testing (e.g., TVAC, vibe) including setup and monitoring of instrumentation and data acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot integration issues and contribute to process improvements, including developing custom tooling for complex assembly tasks.
• Organize and maintain actuator lab (workstations, equipment, tools, etc.).
• Provide accurate labor estimates, identify schedule impacts, and collaborate with cognizant engineers on workflow planning and assembly processes.
• Mentor and support the development of less‑experienced technicians.

Skills

Electromechanical assembly

Reading schematics

Electrical testing

Bonding and adhesion

Education

High School diploma with aerospace experience

Associate’s degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

CAD

Test equipment

Job description

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks an Actuator Technician to join the Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Services Section. You will perform assembly, integration, and testing for flight and prototype actuator hardware, mentoring junior technicians and improving assembly processes.

Ideal candidates have deep electromechanical expertise, strong metalworking and bonding skills, and the ability to interpret complex drawings and diagrams, while adhering to cleanroom and safety