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.
Wanted: A Robotics Mechanical Engineer with a range of skills related to the design, fabrication, and test of mechanical and robotic systems, preferably with direct experience in the build, integration, and test of novel manipulation or mobility systems enabled by advanced design and fabrication techniques.
Opportunity: To join an enthusiastic multi-disciplinary workforce that originates and executes robotics technology development and space flight projects for terrestrial and planetary exploration applications. This role is focused on supporting and leading the development of robotic systems for the
Mobility and Robotic Systems section at JPL.
A Robotics Mechanical Engineer to join our Advanced Robotics Systems group with a range of skills related to the development of new robotic system concepts, mechanical elements of robotic systems, and fabrication methods for those systems. The Advanced Robotics Systems group provides leadership and support engineering for both research and flight robotic systems as well as their constituent systems. Customers include NASA and others who are in search of the cutting edge of application for terrestrial and extraterrestrial venues.
Responsibilities
This Robotics Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for leading the development and deployment of robotic systems for some of the following applications:
- technology development or flight projects
- research systems for NASA and non-NASA sponsors as well as NASA missions destined for space
- concept development, publication of novel concepts, and proposal writing for NASA and non-NASA programs
The Following Qualifications Are Required
- B.S. in an engineering field with typically a minimum of 9 years of related work experience; M.S. in an engineering field with a minimum of 7 years of related work experience; or Ph.D. in in an engineering field with a minimum of 5 years of related work experience.
- Significant expertise in the implementation of a robotic system or subsystem for spaceflight or terrestrial applications
- Leadership of design teams to address major robotics technical issues; developing recommendations and advising management on those recommendation
- Leadership in the development of highly complex and critical systems
- Deep knowledge in one or more robotics subdiscipline such as mechanical or electrical engineering
The Following Qualifications Are Preferred
- Experience in the development of technology that has impacted mission, flight projects, and/or other research projects
- Experience in design reviews with analyses for accuracy and completeness
- Experience overseeing highly complex design and/or data analysis
- Management of customer requests to ensure specifications are achievable within available resources and project timeline.
- Management of the work of specialist engineers to develop integrated concepts
- Preparation of requirements documents, interface agreements, verification and validation (V&V) plans, and risk mitigation plans and executes V&V plan
- Leadership in the development of concepts that are applicable to the evolution of JPL business
- Experience in writing proposals or proposal subsections
- Published results in refereed journals; presents and chairs sessions at conferences.
- Author or co-author on peer-reviewed publications
- Strong written and verbal communication skills to facilitate inter-team information flow and to support review of team products
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 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.