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.

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

The Flight Communications Systems Section (337) develops, delivers and supports Software Defined Radios (SDRs), spacecraft and airborne antennas, RF power amplifiers, and related products for RF system applications including telecommunications, radars, radio science instruments, and GPS tracking sensors.

We seek a self-motivated individual who can work well both independently and in a team environment to serve as an Antenna Microwave Engineer IV in the Spacecraft Antennas Group (337B). The group leads the development of antennas for telecommunications and remote-sensing instruments. This team is engaged in all phases of product development from research and technology advancement through design, build, test and delivery. Specific core expertise includes: Antenna RF design & development, antenna RF performance modeling, antenna performance testing, high power breakdown testing of antennas and passive microwave components, passive component RF design & development, and Contract Technical Management (CTM) for antennas and passive components. The group manages and operates the Mesa Test Facility, which includes multiple indoor and outdoor antenna ranges and a high-power RF test facility.

Responsibilities may include and are not limited to:

• Lead a multi-disciplinary team to create flight antenna designs that meet RF, mechanical, environmental, and interface requirements for NASA Earth Science and planetary exploration missions.
• Be a Contract Technical Manager (CTM) for antenna and antenna component subcontracts.
• Prepare requirements documents and specifications, and support mechanical engineers in the generation of fabrication drawings.
• Model and analyze installed antenna performance on spacecraft.
• Plan build processes, oversee antenna fabrication and assembly, and maintain build documentation and traceability.
• Plan and oversee antenna verification tests.
• Resolve technical issues during the design, build, and test phases.
• Lead design, manufacturing, test, and delivery reviews.
• Present antenna technical and programmatic status in management reviews.
• Lead the antenna portions of mission trade studies, proposal concepts, and proposal responses.
• Lead cost and schedule estimation and implementation planning of antenna subsystems.
• Lead the development of new flight antenna technologies in response to current and future mission needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline with typically a minimum of 9 years of related experience, a Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 7 year of related experience, or a Ph.D. in similar disciplines with a minimum of 5 years related experience.
• Extensive understanding and broad application of advanced principles, theories, and concepts in electromagnetic and antenna theory.
• Wide-ranging experience and advanced knowledge in designing, building, and testing antennas for space.
• Capability to identify creative designs within available project resources to meet requirements.
• Knowledge of industry practices and standards related to designing, manufacturing, and testing spaceflight antennas.
• In-depth experience using most or all of the following software tools: HFSS, Ticra Tools Suite (GRASP), CST, Matlab.
• Experience in performance modeling and simulation of antennas in free space and in installed configurations.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Desired Skills

• Ph. D. degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus in electromagnetics and antennas with a minimum of 5 years of related experience, or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus in electromagnetics and antennas with a minimum of 7 years of antenna-related experience.
• Experience designing a range of antenna types, including wire antennas, reflector antennas, horns, patch arrays, reflectarrays, slot arrays, or similar.
• Experience leading flight antenna engineering teams involving multiple technical disciplines.
• Experience adhering to NASA and JPL policies and procedures, government regulations, and industry standards.
• Experience with cost and schedule development and management.
• Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) for tracking project cost and schedule performance.
• Experience as a Contract Technical Manager on small (<$10M) subcontracts.
• Experience working on proposal teams.

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.

EEO is the Law Supplement

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 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.