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.
JPL’s Mission Design and Navigation Section 392 builds maps and tools for interplanetary navigation, designs efficient routes for spacecraft to reach any remote solar system location, and safely pilots spacecraft to their ultimate destination. We are responsible for: mapping the trajectory design and navigation trade-space to efficiently maximize science return while adhering to operational constraints and mitigating mission risks, scientific modeling, filtering and optimization, balancing trajectory knowledge and control, and quantifying observability and uncertainty.
Responsibilities
This unique opportunity is in the JPL Inner Planet Mission Analysis Group (392D), which is responsible for performing mission design and delivering associated data products for missions to the inner planets of the solar system. This includes missions to Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, as well as the Moon, Sun-Earth and Earth-Moon libration points, and near-Earth asteroids. You will report administratively to the 392D Group Supervisor and will programmatically report to the Mission Design Manager or team lead for the missions you support.
Required Skills:
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical/Aeronautical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related subjects with typically a minimum of 6 years of related experience; Master’s degree with 4 years of related experience or PhD degree with 2 years of related experience in similar subject areas.
- Demonstrated ability to apply wide-ranging experience and advance knowledge in mission/trajectory design to perform highly complex trade studies.
- Ability to evaluate technologies and requirements to develop highly complex Mission Design analysis tool to fulfill project needs.
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills (both oral and written) with the ability to present technical results to a wide audience.
- Must have excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.
- Must thrive in a team environment as well as perform independent studies with little direct supervision.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background investigation (SBBI) within a 5-year scope and must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) accesses, or the ability to obtain one.
Desired Skills:
- Previous technical team leadership experience
- Extensive understanding of advance principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in Mission Design to make contributions to the development of new theories and methods.
- Expert knowledge of optimization under uncertainty and nonlinear optimization.
- Knowledge and understanding of spacecraft conjunction analysis.
- Knowledge and understanding of operating multiple spacecraft in formation.
- Proficiency in Python.
- Familiarity with software development, git-based development, and unit testing.
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. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.
The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.
$107,224 - $143,936
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.