Software Assurance Engineer IV

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 135,000 - 179,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, based in Pasadena, California, seeks a Software Quality Assurance professional to assure software and systems for space missions. This role emphasizes QA engineering for mission-critical software and collaboration with cross-disciplines across the project lifecycle.

You will evaluate approaches, participate in IV&V, and help define risk-based QA strategies for software used in interplanetary spacecraft and Earth observation missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master/PhD with experience in requirements analysis, design, coding, configuration management, integration and testing.
• Experience programming in C, C++, Java and/or Python in UNIX/Linux or real-time OS.
• Familiarity with NASA/JPL software quality and safety standards.
• Experience with GitHub and JIRA.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-value Software Quality Assurance engineering on mission-critical software.
• Plan and cost Software Assurance activities tailored to a project lifecycle.
• Work with Supervisors and Leads to improve software infrastructure, processes, and tools.
• Seek new tools/techniques to improve quality, reliability, and safety engineering.
• Explore model-based assurance, static analysis, IV&V for AI/LLMs, and ASICs/FPGAs.
• Mentor and coach colleagues inside and outside the organization.

Skills

C/C++/Java/Python

Requirements analysis

Software design

Configuration management

Integration and testing

UNIX/Linux RTOS

GitHub

JIRA

Education

Bachelor degree in Software Engineering / CS / Cyber Security / Math / Aerospace Engineering

Master degree in related disciplines

PhD in related disciplines

Tools

Github

JIRA

Flight Software Processes

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. Come help NASA’s JPL “dare might things” by ensuring our software and systems work when they’re needed… millions of miles away! The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, based in Pasadena, CA is NASA’s lead center for robotic exploration of the solar system. We have an unmatched history creating groundbreaking advances in science and technology, and we’ve been in the space exploration business since the beginning. JPL resonates with people who are looking for ways to go further. JPL is undertaking many amazing missions to explore the Moon, Mars, Europa and our own home planet, and you can be a key contributor to our success. Our expanding work scope is relying more and more on high quality software for missions. Software is taking on more responsibilities in providing capabilities for complex missions to understand the earth’s environment, explore our universe and find answers to the biggest questions of humankind. We are looking for a Software Quality Assurance team member to help assure our software, evaluate potential approaches and solutions to problems with project-wide impact, and to determining appropriate resolutions to those impacts.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-value Software Quality Assurance Engineering, developing or acquiring mission critical software.
• Plan and cost appropriate Software Assurance activities tailored to a project Review and assess software development throughout projects’ lifecycle
• Work with the Software Quality Assurance Group Supervisor and Leads to improve the Projects’ Software infrastructure: the processes, systems, and tools that support existing functions and enable new ones.
• Seek out new tools and techniques that improve the performance of Software Quality, Reliability, and Safety Engineering, and that enable better risk analysis and detection of defects and vulnerabilities early in the project life cycle.
• Explore promising new areas of software assurance, including model-based assurance, static code analysis, independent verification of systems, AIs, LLMs, and assurance of software embedded in ASICs and FPGAs.
• Mentors and coaches others internal and external to organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Cyber Defense, Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering or similar technical discipline with typically a minimum of 9 years of related experience, Master degree in similar disciplines with 7 years of related experience, or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 5 years of related experience that includes the following: requirements analysis, design, coding, configuration management, integration and testing.
• Knowledge of JPL Problem Reporting System and Problem Failure Reports.
• Knowledge of NASA Software Assurance and Software Safety Standard 8739.8, NASA Software Engineering Requirements NPR 7150.2, JPL Software Development Requirements, JPL Safety and Mission Assurance Requirements, JPL Flight Project Practices, and JPL Design Principles.
• Experience in programming in the C, C++, Java and/or Python programming languages in a UNIX/Linux or real-time (e.g. VxWorks) operating system environment.
• Experience with software engineering tools such as Github, and JIRA Experience with JPL’s Flight Software Processes
• Experience with JPL Risk Management for JPL Projects (specifically M2020 and EUROPA)
• Experience with JPL and NASA Quality Assurance Programs
• Ability to learn technical knowledge quickly and independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.

Desired

• Experience with Assuring JPL Project Software
• Experience with software engineering tools such as Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), compilers, and static analyzers.
• Experience with modern systems and software development processes, as described in the Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI).
• The capability to analyze modern systems and software requirements, architecture, and test procedures and results.

Benefits

• 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

Salary

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. $135,096 - $178,880

Equal Opportunity

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

Eligibility Restrictions

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.

Company Overview

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.