Project Manager/Systems Engineer IV
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 JPL's Mechanical Systems Engineering, Fabrication and Test Division that engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems
As a Project Manager/Systems Engineer IV, you will be working for the Payload and Small Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering Section (355), which is responsible for: (1) the structures, mechanisms, and mechanical systems engineering of payloads and small spacecraft across all phases of the mission life-cycle and (2) developing science-enabling technology, and infusing it into flight missions. In this role, you will:
Be accountable for all day-to-day technical leadership at any point in a project's lifecycle from conception through development, implementation, operations and decommissioning.
Plan, execute and deliver products including: concepts, proposals, integrated systems, mission operations, ground data system, science data system and data products for payloads and small spacecraft missions.
Provide leadership of product / hardware team, ensure objectives, goals and commitments (i.e. cost, performance, risk and schedule) are met.
Perform duties as Contract Technical Manager (CTM) to ensure successful award and management of contracts and delivery of products to various projects
Be responsible for maintaining the cost, technical, schedule and documentation compliance of JPL contracts
Process and supervise contract orders, review and approve subcontractor invoices, supervise subcontractor technical progress and programmatic achievements.
Frequently interact with JPL Acquisition and cognizant engineers in the Request for Proposal, Request for Quote, and Selection Debrief process of JPL contracts (including technical evaluations)
Identify and control project risk and provide independent risk evaluations/assessments and risks balancing guidance.
Interface with project and line managers in supporting engineering peer reviews and flight project reviews.
Provides suggestions and feedback to cognizant engineers and designers on areas of concern based on analysis, mechanical intuition, and experience.
Derive and document highly complex and critical design requirements and lead verification of mechanical assemblies of significant impact
Direct work of others, internal and external to own organization, by leading operations of mechanical systems.
Review design analyses for accuracy and completeness.
Required Skills:
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related experience; or a Master's degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 5 years related experience.
Wide-ranging experience and advanced knowledge in mechanical systems, design, analysis, and verification of structures mechanisms, or opto-mechanical assemblies.
Experience as a Hardware Cognizant Engineer, technical lead, or other significant project experience.
Experience and knowledge in mechanical engineering and systems engineering with expertise in mechanical technology development or mechanical hardware design, development and integration and test.
Experience in project /contract management, task planning, cost estimating, cost control, schedule management and hardware delivery.
Demonstrated experience in leading teams and mentoring engineers.
Desired Skills:
Ability to develop innovative design solutions for existing space flight systems problems to enable requirements or mechanical performance to be met.
Experience and advanced knowledge in space flight mechanical systems (spacecraft or instruments), mechanisms, or optomechanical assemblies.
Knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations across a range of applications.
Working knowledge of flight project practices and JPL flight hardware design principles.
Experience working across organizations, disciplines, and outside companies or vendors.
Experience in mechanisms, actuators and / or motor controller technologies as well as fundamental electronic design in spacecraft application.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent leadership skills.
Ability to market and solicit new business.
Experience in applying new concepts to flight applications.
Previous experience with low cost implementation of low TRL to mid TRL technologies.
Previous experience with fast paced, low cost hardware design, development, and delivery.
Experience in building relationships between JPL and external entities such as support contractors, strategic partners, and other government agencies.
Experience in managing a combination of individuals with varying technical skills.Proje
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.
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.
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