Electric Propulsion Technologist III

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 (3500), which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, robotics, guidance & control, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems. Our expertise spans architectural concept development through operations. The division fosters research and development in technologies aligned with the Laboratory’s Strategic Technology Plan, while encouraging individual creativity and entrepreneurial activity. We value the efforts of our technologists and reward them for developing and infusing new technologies that further JPL’s mission.

As an Electric Propulsion (EP) Technologist, 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 of 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 Electric Propulsion Systems Group (353B) and will report to the Group Supervisor.

Primary responsibility will be the development, testing, and qualification of Hall thruster systems for Earth-orbiting and deep-space flight applications, with particular emphasis on laser-induced fluorescence and other advanced plasma diagnostics. Work may also include electrospray thrusters and magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters.

Responsibilities:

• Support the full lifecycle development of flight electric propulsion systems, including requirements definition, design trades, component and subsystem integration, qualification, verification, and flight implementation.

• Develop and qualify Hall thruster propulsion systems, including thrusters, cathodes, power processing units, propellant feed systems, and associated spacecraft interfaces.

• Plan and execute development, performance, environmental, and life testing of electric propulsion hardware and systems.

• Develop and apply plasma diagnostics to characterize thruster operation, investigate plasma processes, assess life-limiting mechanisms, and validate physics-based models.

• Provide test engineering support for the EP laboratories at JPL in the following areas: vacuum systems, gaseous and liquid-metal propellant feed systems, high-voltage power electronics, electric thrusters, plasma diagnostics, and data acquisition systems.

• Apply experimental or theoretical principles and scientific methods to the design, development, optimization, testing, and analysis of complex vacuum systems, data acquisition systems, plasma diagnostics, and electric thrusters.

• Develop laboratory test plans and procedures and present at test readiness reviews.

• Iinstall and operate electric thrusters and diagnostics.

• Analyze electric thruster and diagnostic test data, write reports, and present results.

• Support and maintain EP vacuum facilities and related support equipment such as propellant feed systems, high-voltage power electronics, data acquisition systems, and diagnostics. 

• Work with technicians in the EP systems group and provide guidance and support for their tasks.

• Develop and validate technical specifications to comply with project/program requirements.

• Partner with other researchers to develop technologies with potential flight or other research applications.

• Present results at technical conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

Required Skills:

• A Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or Physics or related technical discipline with a minimum of 6 years of experience, or Master's degree in related technical discipline with a minimum of 4 years of experience, or Ph.D. degree in related technical discipline with a minimum of 2 years of experience.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience developing and applying laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic systems in low-temperature plasma devices, including laser and optical system setup and alignment, wavelength calibration, signal acquisition, data reduction, uncertainty quantification, and interpretation of velocity distribution measurements.

• Experience using laser-induced fluorescence to measure ion or neutral velocity distribution functions and investigate plasma acceleration, transport, or plasma-surface interactions in electric propulsion devices.

• Experience applying and interpreting laser-induced fluorescence measurements to assess electric-thruster performance and lifetime and to validate plasma and plume models.

• Prior academic or work experience in a relevant laboratory setting including direct experience with one or more of the following:  vacuum systems, plasmas, electric thrusters, data acquisition systems, and diagnostics.

• Prior work experience in a government or industry setting in electric propulsion development, qualification, and flight implementation.

• Experience with LabVIEW-based data acquisition and control systems.

• Demonstrated understanding and application of standard principles, theories, concepts and techniques in electric propulsion.

• General knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards.

Desired Skills:

• Prior academic or work experience in a relevant laboratory setting including direct experience with all of the following:  vacuum systems, plasmas, electric thrusters, data acquisition systems, and diagnostics.

• Broad experience developing LabVIEW-based data acquisition and control systems for power electronics and instrumentation.

• Experience with scripting and programming languages such as Python.

• Experience with mechanical design, 3D solid modeling, and the generation of drawings for fabrication.

• Prior work experience with electric propulsion system requirements for robotic spacecraft.

• General knowledge of applicable Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations.

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.

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.