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.

Do you excel in an environment that values exploration and discovery? We have a universe of opportunities waiting for you!

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is NASA’s lead center for robotic exploration of the solar system. Our core competency is the end-to-end implementation of unprecedented robotic space missions to study Earth, the Solar System, and the Universe.

The Instrument Software and Science Data Systems (Org. 398) Section within JPL consist of multidisciplinary teams of engineers and technologists who provide expertise across the domains of instrument operations and science data systems. 

We are responsible for:

• Safely controlling JPL remote sensing instruments.
• Transforming data collected by these instruments into scientific measurements and preserving them for future analyses.
• Providing context and understanding to the measurements.
• Making the measurements and related information accessible to a broad and global user community: scientists, operations, decision makers and society at large.

Our engineering teams build and operate high performance data processing, management and analysis systems capable of handling petabyte scale datasets in support of science discovery, research, operations and applications.   They support JPL and NASA missions, as well as other science-based projects.  Our research and technology development teams create new onboard and ground based technologies for data processing, analysis, modeling, reasoning, visualization, management, access and analytics that are infused into our data systems.

JPL, located in Pasadena, California, has a casual, 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.

We are proud to be part of NASA and Caltech, as we explore the universe and make history through new discoveries. 

We aim to do things never done before and to go places few can go. We dare mighty things…do you?

The Applied Science System Engineering group in the Instrument Software and Science Data Systems section at JPL is seeking a science system engineer interested in providing the interface between science, algorithm development and science data system development in support of JPL missions and projects.

The Applied Science Systems Engineering Group develops and uses tools, analyses, and processes that apply existing scientific knowledge and NASA system engineering approaches to understand and support science, science planning and applied science data and data system needs, and defines end user requirements that support mission and project formulation, design, operations.

Job Responsibilities:

This position is primarily in support of NASA’s Physical Oceanography Data Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC). Other activities will include support for Earth applied science initiatives and activities more broadly.

The successful candidate will serve as an essential team member and team leader, and must be proactive and willing to do what it takes to achieve mission success. The science system engineer will work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team environment to harness the unique capabilities of satellites, airborne and modeling assets to enable new capabilities made possible by the unique vantage point of space.

The candidate will support a range of activities including providing data guidance for science and applications end users, with an emphasis on guiding oceanography and terrestrial hydrology end-users to access and use data in the cloud, contribute to and support meetings, reviews, and develop documentation as needed.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Earth science, or related technical discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related experience; Master's degree in similar disciplines with at least 2 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with at least 1 years of related experience.
• Excellent communication skills to understand science and applied science needs/requirements, communicate complex science to non-technical audiences and multidisciplinary teams,
• Programming/computer skills including C/C++ or Python, R; data and statistical analysis tools; machine learning techniques; geographic information systems and visualization tools (e.g., ENVI, ArcGIS and Google Earth); Microsoft Office suite.

Desired Skills:

• Familiarity with JPL policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations.
• Experience in applied Earth science..
• Demonstrated use of creativity and innovation to address critical issues.

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. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$102,752 - $125,216

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.