Thermal Systems Engineer V

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; California; On-site; USD 214,000 - 267,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, seeks a Level V Thermal Systems Engineer to lead thermal control system design, analysis, and testing for flight missions. You will oversee lifecycle activities from requirements to verification, manage critical interfaces, and communicate findings at program reviews.

We value experience with cryogenic systems, spaceflight hardware, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with typically 12+ years of related experience.
• Master's degree with 10+ years of related experience.
• PhD with 8+ years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee specification, implementation, and V&V of flight/ payload thermal control systems; report to project managers and section manager.
• Monitor technical design, status, and issues through Phases A–D.
• Plan, direct, and control resources, schedule, and risk management to fulfill objectives.
• Manage flight system or payload thermal risks and provide technical leadership.
• Coordinate interfaces to assure operable, reliable, and safe interactions across systems.
• Present work in management reviews and lead design trades at system level.

Skills

Cryogenics

Heat transfer

Fluid mechanics

Thermal systems design

Controls theory

Systems engineering

Flight hardware

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering (thermal or cryogenics focus)

Master's degree in similar discipline

PhD in similar discipline

Tools

Thermal Desktop

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

NX

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.

This opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (3500) , which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, robotics, guidance & control, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems. We develop hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem and system-level integration and test.

As a Level V Thermal Systems Engineer , you will be working for the Thermal, Propulsion, and Materials Engineering Section (353) , which provides leadership and unique world-class expertise in a wide range of technologies and technical discipline areas, including chemical and electric propulsion, thermal, materials, contamination control, analytical chemistry, and multiphase flow. This section is responsible for design, analysis, fabrication, testing, integration, and operations of thermal and propulsion flight systems for JPL missions. This section is also responsible for providing materials and process engineering, contamination control engineering, materials testing, and analytical chemistry support to technology and flight programs. You will be a member of the Payload Thermal and Cryogenic Systems Group (353P) and will report to the Group Supervisor.

We are seeking an adaptable, high-energy professional who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced setting and is comfortable navigating ambiguity. The ideal candidate possesses a risk-tolerant mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities to innovate, and excels in an evolving environment where decisiveness and agility are key to our collective success.

Responsibilities

• Be the JPL systems engineer responsible for overseeing specification, implementation, V&V of a flight system or payload thermal control system, reporting programmatically to the project payload and flight system managers and administratively to the Thermal, Propulsion & Materials Engineering Section Manager (3530)
• Be cognizant of the technical design, status and issues of a flight system or payload thermal control system throughout the development lifecycle (Phases A through D) assuring that thermal products and processes meet JPL institutional standards and document non-compliances
• Responsible authority to plan, direct and control financial and labor resources, schedule, make risk management decisions and performance commitments in fulfilling the project’s objectives
• Management of flight system or payload thermal risks
• Provide thermal technical leadership as an individual or member of a management team
• Oversee development of flight system or payload thermal interfaces, coordinating between stakeholders to assure operable, reliable and safe interactions between systems
• Present work in management and project reviews as required
• Represent the flight system or payload thermal system at system engineering team meetings, leading and contributing to design trades at the project system level

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering (thermal or cryogenics focus) or related technical discipline with typically a minimum of 12 years of related experience; Master's degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 10 years of experience; or PhD degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 8 years of experience.
• Broad knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: cryogenics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermal systems design, controls theory, systems engineering
• Significant experience in spaceflight thermal subsystem/instrument engineering, and in particular experience with spacecraft thermal bus design and development
• Thermal hardware delivery experience
• Experience leading teams and coordinating working groups on projects in instrument, subsystem or bus development, test and or operations at the systems level
• Experience with development and delivery of system documentation such as requirements documents, test plans, interface agreements and design description documents
• Experience working on external procurements
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple issues, tasks and priorities concurrently
• Experience in requirements and interface development, systems formulation, verification, and flight operations
• Excellent collaboration, negotiation, and communication skills
• Willingness to support frequent domestic travel

Preferred Skills

• Experience implementing a thermal control system with an external partner
• In-depth knowledge in translating spacecraft or instrument requirements to thermal requirements
• Experience in designing and implementing cryogenic (sub-4K) flight hardware, operating cryogenic instruments
• Familiarity with cryogenic instrumentation
• Experience with thermal control of flight systems or space-based instruments
• Experience in planning, preparation, and execution of flight thermal balance tests.
• Knowledge of policies and procedures at JPL and NASA
• Experience developing flight project and/or technology developments proposals
• Working knowledge of thermal environments for flight system or instrument development
• Thermal software experience (Thermal Desktop), and mechanical CAD software experience (Solidworks, AutoCAD, NX)
• Experience writing procedures, releasing drawings, and negotiating/implementing cross-domain interfaces such as manufacturing, structural analysis, electrical, fault protection behaviors, flight rules and outside vendors/collaborators.

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.

$213,824 - $266,552

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.

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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 .