Software Engineer 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.

Responsibilities:

The JPL Communications and Instruments Division perform scientific investigations, advanced technology research, engineering developments and system implementations encompassing space telecommunications, tracking and active remote sensing using electromagnetic waves.

The Flight Communications and Tracking Section provides cost-effective space communications systems, software defined radios, high power RF amplifiers, and power supplies that support primary telecom subsystems and major radar and radiometer science payloads. The section also provides Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) flight equipment, radiometric science instruments, high stability frequency standards and clocks and seismometers for NASA/JPL missions. In addition to flight hardware expertise, the section specializes in collection of and processing of worldwide, fixed site, GNSS data that is processed into clock, atmospheric, and ionospheric GNSS correction metrics.  The section also develops high stability frequency references and clocks for flight and ground applications. 

The Flight Communications & Tracking Section at JPL is looking for a Software Engineer III to join their Software Defined Radios Group to support flight software development and implementation for the Polar Rover for Observation, Mapping, and In-Situ Exploration (PROMISE) telecom subsystem. The Group leads the development of software / firmware defined digital flight electronics for telecom, radio metrics, and radar support applications. Work includes development and implementation of flight signal processing algorithms, complex spacecraft interfaces, and various data transfer and communications protocols that enable and support telecom, radar science, instruments, and spacecraft safety and health. Group members work on all phases of product development from early concept, low technology readiness specification and prototyping to engineering and flight model development and implementation, functional and environmental testing, and flight operations support.

PROMISE is a NASA lunar rover mission intended to explore the lunar south pole as part of the Moon Base program. As the PROMISE telecom Software Engineer, you will be responsible for the development, implementation, test, and delivery of the Boot Code Software and the Application Software designs that are part of the Universal Space Transponder (UST) radio family. You will be a member of the multidisciplinary implementation team consisting of approximately 7 full-time equivalent employees, industry partners, and subcontractors. You will report programmatically to the PROMISE Telecom Product Delivery Manager or the PROMISE Radio Cognizant Engineer and administratively to the Group Supervisor of the Software Defined Radios Group (362B).

Tasks may include but are not limited to:

• Support telecom system engineering team with software requirements development
• Implement and validate Spacecraft data and command/telemetry interfaces
• Support Spacecraft interface compatibility testing
• Own the software side of the interface to FPGA and mixed-signal hardware
• Implement and validate interfaces to the radio Modem Processor and Housekeeper FPGAs
• Support radio FPGA development and implementation team during FPGA firmware and software integration and testing
• Maintain the software release schedule, balancing critical delivery milestones with capabilities and resources of the team
• Support radio and subsystem integration, test, ATLO, and early operations
• Prepare and deliver presentations to technical and management review boards
• Provide input to programmatic and technical standards, practices, procedures, processes, and policies
• Support or lead flight software design, implementation, hardware test, and test data analysis
• Develop and maintain comprehensive software documentation, including software management plan, software design documents, software requirements, and software test plans and test procedures
• Support or lead flight software reviews and Software Readiness Certification Records (SRCRs)
• Generate software End Item Data Package (EIDP) and prepare software flight releases

Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree in Electrical Engineering with a minimum of 6 years of related work experience, MA/MS degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience, PhD in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related work experience
• Strong C/C++ and working proficiency in Python
• Experience developing software that interfaces directly with hardware, including FPGA-based systems, data acquisition, embedded platforms, or instrumentation
• Experience with complex Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms and with Spacecraft command, telemetry, and high-speed data interfaces (MIL-STD-1553B, SpaceWire, RS-422, and Ethernet)
• Experience with software that must meet timing, throughput, or data-integrity requirements
• Extensive knowledge of best industry practices in software development, implementation, and testing
• Experience working within a structured engineering process, including design reviews and requirements-based verification
• Experience testing and debugging software against real hardware in a lab or operational field environment
• Experience in the development and delivery of Electra or UST related software defined radio products and space flight hardware
• Experience developing design requirements and solving engineering problems
• Proven ability to work in a team environment and lead a team of engineers
• Ability to meet deadlines and be responsive to customers
• Strong communication (oral, written, presentation), interpersonal, negotiation and organizational skills
• Advanced knowledge in one or more of the following areas: PWB design, fabrication, and assembly, digital hardware, FPGAs and firmware, microprocessors and embedded software
• Familiarity with standard test equipment used for electrical and RF testing
• Experience with operating systems Windows, Linux and Bash Shell and Shell scripting

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in cost account management and schedule tracking
• Advanced knowledge of applicable Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations
• Experience with DSP algorithm development, simulation, and analysis
• Experience with CCSDS Proximity-1 Protocol, Unified Space Data Link Protocol (USLP), and Advanced Orbiting Systems (AOS) Space Data Link Protocol
• Experience with software testing frameworks, test automation, and test-driven development practices
• Knowledge of container and runtime orchestration frameworks (Podman, Docker, or Kubernetes)

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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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.