Software Quality Assurance Engineer III TS/SCI

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 126,672 - 144,040; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision care

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Learning and development

Rideshare benefits

Childcare support

Flexible schedule

Parental leave

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA seeks a Software Quality Assurance Engineer to ensure mission-critical software quality across the development lifecycle. You will plan assurance activities, review lifecycle progress, and collaborate with leads to enhance infrastructure and tooling.

Required are strong programming skills (C/C++, Java, Python) on UNIX/Linux, experience with GitHub/JIRA, and the ability to rapidly learn technical material while communicating clearly.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or higher in a technical field with strong study in software systems and development lifecycle.
• Experience with requirements analysis, design, coding, configuration management, integration and testing.
• Experience using NASA/JPL software standards and risk management practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-value Software Quality Assurance Engineering on mission-critical software.
• Plan and cost appropriate Software Assurance activities tailored to a project.
• Review and assess software development throughout projects’ lifecycle.
• Collaborate with QA leads to improve project software infrastructure and processes.
• Seek out new tools and techniques to improve software assurance performance and early defect detection.
• Explore new areas, including model-based assurance, static code analysis, and verification for AI/LLMs and ASIC/FPGA software.

Skills

C programming

C++ programming

Java programming

Python programming

UNIX/Linux

GitHub

JIRA

Software assurance

Risk management

Communication

Education

Bachelor degree in Software Engineering

Bachelor degree in Computer Science

Bachelor degree in Cyber Security

Master degree in similar disciplines

PhD in similar disciplines

Tools

IDEs

Static analyzers

Compilers

Job description

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:

• 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,

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Cyber Defense, Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering or similar technical discipline with typically a minimum of 6 years of related experience, Master degree in similar disciplines with 4 years of related experience, or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 2 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 Costing and Managing Assurance Activities for JPL Flight Projects
• Experience with JPL’s Flight Software Processes
• Experience with JPL Risk Management for JPL Projects
• Experience with JPL and NASA Quality Assurance Programs
• Experience in writing, winning, and working on Research Proposals
• Ability to learn technical knowledge quickly and independently.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Assuring JPL Project Software and System Security Engineering
• Experience with JPL Project Protection Plan, JPL Project Cybersecurity Management Plan, JPL Project Software Management Plan, JPL Project Configuration Management Plan, JPL Project Incident Response Plan
• Knowledge of Supply Chain Risk Management
• Knowledge of Threat Assessment Process
• Knowledge of Data Protection Process
• Experience with software engineering tools such as Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), compilers, and static analyzers.
• Experience with Pen Testing
• 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.

Note - This candidate must be a U.S. Citizen with an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) within a 5-year scope and must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) accesses.

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.

$126,672 - $144,040

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.