Technologist III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 124,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision plans

Flexible schedule

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a Technologist III for the Frequency and Timing Systems Group to advance precision frequency standards for space comms and DSN. You will work on trapped-ion clock development, high-stability references, and metrology devices.

Collaborating with a diverse engineering team, you will help design, test, and implement rugged timing systems for ground and space applications, applying lab expertise and a strong physics background.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in experimental atomic physics or closely related discipline with 6+ years of experience.
• Master’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of experience.
• Ph.D. in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of experience.
• Familiarity with atomic clock principles.
• Experience designing, building, and operating laboratory apparatus for atomic physics experiments.

Responsibilities

• Develop trapped-ion clocks and mitigate systematic effects that limit clock performance.
• Develop, design, assemble and test clock components and integrated clock builds for ultra-stable frequency standards.
• Develop high-TRL, compact, low-noise optical and RF systems and metrology devices.

Skills

Atomic clock principles

Data analysis

Strong communication

C/C++ programming

LabVIEW programming

FPGAs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in experimental atomic physics

Master’s degree in related discipline

Ph.D. in related discipline

Tools

CAD tools

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 (362) 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 Technologist 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 may include but are not limited to:

• Develop trapped‑ion clocks, including improving light pump sources, building compact long‑life vacuum cells, and identifying as well as mitigating systematic effects that limit clock performance.
• Develop, design, assemble and test both clock components and integrated clock builds in support of ultra‑stable ground‑and‑space‑based frequency standards.
• Develop, design, assemble and test high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) compact and power‑efficient unique low noise optical and radio frequency systems, and compact rugged metrology devices and microwave photonic oscillators.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in experimental atomic physics or closely related discipline with a minimum of 6 years of professional experience, or Master’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of experience, or Ph.D. in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of experience.
• Familiarity of atomic clock principles.
• Experience designing, building, and operating laboratory apparatus in support of atomic physics experiments, including: XHV and UHV vacuum systems; analog, RF and microwave electronics including servo loops; and optical systems.
• Data analysis experience including knowledge of statistics and techniques for evaluating uncertainties as it applies to comparing frequency standards (e.g. the three‑corner‑hat techniques).

Preferred Skills:

• Wide‑range hands‑on experience and advanced knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art measurement techniques and instrumentation for measuring atomic frequency standards.
• Familiarity with various types of controllers, including FPGAs
• C/C++ and Labview programming experience
• Familiarity with computer‑based data acquisition and instrumentation
• Experience with RF and magnetic finite element modeling tools
• Experience with CAD tools
• 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.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

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.

$123,864 - $170,248

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.

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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 .