Engineering Applications Software Engineer I

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.

Responsibilities:

The JPL Power Systems & Electrical Engineering Group is responsible for architecting, generating requirements, performing subsystem design and analysis, verifying functionality and performance, delivering, and operating flight power systems to meet the needs of current and future missions. Within this group are leaders in project execution and subject matter experts driving technical development of mission enabling technology.

The Power Systems & Electrical Engineering Group is expanding its capability to perform advanced modelling, prediction, and simulation of spacecraft and power system elements (solar arrays, batteries, radioisotope thermoelectric generators, power electronics).  These advance simulation and modelling tools are used both during spacecraft development to inform vehicle architecture and sizing, as well as in operations to support inflight activities. 

As an Engineering Applications Software Engineer within the Power Systems & Electrical Engineering Group (345A), you will design, develop, and modify engineering applications for highly complex and specialized capabilities within spacecraft, instruments, electronic ground support equipment, planning, and mission software systems.  You will also support the operations of inflight vehicles such as landers, rovers, orbiters, and probes.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Utilize power, electronics, and spacecraft domain-specific engineering expertise to understand the needs of customers, translate those needs into requirements, develop prototype applications, iterate with customers and then deliver quality applications.

• Involved in entire life-cycle of system, including planning, development, deployment and maintenance.

• Responsible for understanding and meeting software operational and engineering requirements.

• Participate on spacecraft operational teams and provide power system focused engineering support.

• Participate in power subsystem design engineering teams to support technical design and performance trades, perform analyses, and provide recommendations.

• Present power system concepts to line management and other technical personnel.

• Seek out new tools and techniques that improve the performance of Software Quality, Reliability, and Safety Engineering, and that enable better risk analysis and detection of defects and vulnerabilities early in the project life cycle.

• Explore promising new areas of software development and assurance, including model-based assurance, static code analysis, independent verification of systems, AIs, and LLMs.

• Operate in a team environment focused on continual improvement

• Work both tactically and strategically to keep up with near term needs, but also support long term growth in our software products

• Perform complex and wide-ranging job functions and activities across multiple disciplines.

• Work independently on key projects and assignments with only limited direction.

• Support the team leads on various projects and assignments

• Serve as a team member on teams inside or outside organization, project, activity or function.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or related technical disciplines with 1 year of related experience; or Master's degree in similar disciplines with 0 years of related experience.

• Knowledge in one or more of the following areas: Modelling and Simulation, Algorithm and code development, Analog Electronics, Controls, Power Systems Design, Systems Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Integration and Test

• Understanding and application of advanced principles, theories, concepts and techniques in Systems Engineering

• Experience in programming in the C, C++, Java and/or Python programming languages in a UNIX/Linux or real-time (e.g. VxWorks) operating system environment.

• Experience with software engineering tools such as Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), compilers, and static analyzers.

• The capability to analyze modern systems and software requirements, architecture, and test procedures and results.

• Experience with software engineering tools such as Github, and JIRA

• Ability to learn technical knowledge quickly and independently.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communications skills.

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.