Blanket Technician (Multi-Layer Insulation)

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 unique opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (35), which creates advanced mechanical, robotics, thermal, propulsion, onboard GNC, and electronic packaging systems. Division 35 develops hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem, and system-level integration and test.

You will be working as an Engineering Development Technician, within the Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Services Section, which supports the mechanical and electronic fabrication, assembly, packaging, and testing needs of all JPL projects. As a technician supporting the thermal soft goods subsystem, you will be providing Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) and Single Layer Insulation (SLI) fabrication and installation support for multiple flight projects.

• Pattern, fabricate, and install advanced MLI and SLI architectures for critical payloads (e.g., optical payloads, gimbals, thrusters, deployables, and cryogenic systems).
• Partner with the MLI Lead Engineer to define coverage requirements, design robust blanket interfaces and specialized hardware attachments, align hardware deliveries with integration schedules, and resolve workflow issues.
• Coordinate multi‑week domestic and international integration campaigns, managing logistics and directing technician activities on flight hardware.
• Read dimensions from drawings, CAD models, and 3D printed tools.
• Independently fabricate custom blanket layups using sensitive and exotic materials.
• Perform advanced manual assembly, precision templating, 3D-print-based patterning, and industrial sewing machine operations.
• Collaborate with and mentor technicians who are developing soft goods expertise.
• Ensure compliance with NASA and DOD quality standards. Adhere to Quality Assurance (QA) standards, Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) avoidance, cleanroom protocols, and critical flight hardware handling practices.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance (QA) to inspect, verify, and validate fabrication patterns and ensure hardware configurations satisfy levied requirements.
• Support bakeout operations, ensuring all contamination control requirements are met.
• Maintain and update the official blanket pattern filing system.
• Organize workspace and maintain material traceability by tracking usage of supplies and flight-certified materials.

******IMPORTANT******* This position, because of its associated job duties, has been determined by JPL to be safety-sensitive as defined in JPL's Drug Free Workplace Requirement. An employee holding this position will be subject to periodic, unannounced, random drug testing. Please refer to JPL's Drug Free Workplace Requirement for more information. Candidates who are hired into designated safety-sensitive positions will be included in a pool from which individuals are randomly selected to participate in the unannounced drug testing.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a High School diploma with a minimum of 8 years of aerospace experience specializing in hands-on spaceflight MLI/SLI patterning, fabrication, and integration; or Associate’s degree with a minimum of 4 years of related experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 1 year of related experience.

• Knowledge of thermal blanket properties, grounding procedures, and soft goods installation techniques.
• Ability to work from engineering drawings, sketches, CAD models, and 3D-printed templates.
• Proficiency in physical hardware templating and custom attachment schemes (e.g., Blanket Buttons, Velcro, Dual Lock, Lacing Cord).

• Fabrication experience including cutting patterns, sealing edges, and operating a sewing machine
• Proficient with thermal blanket lay-ups utilizing various woven materials, films, threads, grounding methods, and seam styles.

• Ability to travel extensively and lead multi‑week field campaigns under compressed schedules.
• Ability to work with limited supervision - no instructions needed on routine tasks, and general guidance on new assignments.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of basic Microsoft tools (Outlook, Teams, Excel)

Desired Qualifications

• Familiarity with Compute-Aided Design (CAD) platforms to assess MLI/SLI designs and generate flat patterns.

• Advanced understanding of applicable policies, procedures, and practices for installing soft goods on sensitive Flight Hardware.

• Experience working in a cleanroom environment.
• Practical understanding of thermal balance testing environments, thermal vacuum (TVAC) preparations, and instrument-level thermal interfaces.
• Experience developing specialized installation procedure guides for non-standard mechanical deployment subsystems.
• Existing security clearance, with the ability to support sensitive DOD-level flight programs.

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.

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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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.