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.

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.

Our missions are complex, long-lasting, far-reaching, and each one is unique. We’re constantly developing new mission-specific technologies. For engineers, researchers, scientists, and technologists who like to test the limits, JPL is a constant source of new stimulating challenges.

JPL is seeking highly motivated college and university students with intellectual curiosity to join our team and aid in our quest to ensure mission success. In this role you would be a vital team member in a JPL engineering group. You will partner with lead engineers to work on projects like JPL’s spacecrafts, science instruments, mission control systems, and science analysis pipelines.

JPL’s Flight Communications and Tracking Section is looking for an Academic Part Time Intern to join their GNSS, Radiometric & Gravity Sensing Instruments Group. As a member of this Group, you will support senior engineers responsible for development of spacecraft antennas for telecommunications and remote-sensing instruments. You will have an opportunity to be involved in all phases of product development from research and technology advancement through build and test.  Depending on current project phases, responsibilities may include:

• Designing, building and testing of PCB (printed circuit boards).
• Using Test Equipment to troubleshoot, characterize and validate circuit designs.
• Working on a multi-disciplinary team to create instruments for space flight.
• Assisting engineers and scientists in a laboratory environment.

Qualifications

• Students are typically enrolled at least half-time at an accredited local college or university pursuing a Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or other technical discipline related to work assignment
• Must be available to work a minimum of 8 hours per week, with a maximum of 40 hours per week over the summer.
• Minimum cumulative GPA 3.0 out of 4.0 or equivalent
• Recently completed coursework providing an understanding and application of standard principles, theories, concepts and techniques in related work assignment
• General knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in related work assignment
• Good verbal and written communications skills with ability to work in a team environment

Responsibilities:

We invite you to join the Flight Communications and Tracking Section within the GNSS, Radiometric & Gravity Sensing Instruments Group to serve as an Academic Part Time Intern. You will be reporting administratively to the Group Supervisor.

This group is responsible for delivering flight instruments, primarily based on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals, for use in space to measure atmospheric properties of Earth and planets.

 Tasks Include

• Support Lab activities including setting up tests, lab equipment and programming embedded systems.
• Work with a team to develop, test and program software defined radios. 
• Support Shipping and Loan Pool activities related to ground support equipment set up and transportation.
• Use oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers and GNSS simulators to facilitate testing.
• Support the software team writing and testing of GNSS Instrument software.
• Participate in lab maintenance, set up and cleaning activities.
• Write software test scripts and perform and execute test sequences.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with electronics engineering, radio frequency communications and digital signal processing.  
• Knowledge of lab equipment including signal generators, network analyzers and digital multimeters.
• Experience with Python and C++. 
• Strong background in software systems architecture, design, development, integration, test, deployment, and/or operations, i.e., the full project and software development life cycle.

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 hourly rate for this job in Pasadena, California depending on education level (undergrad) is $21.00 as a freshman, $22.50 as a sophomore, $24.50 as a junior, and $26.50 as a Senior

Rates may differ for graduate students pursuing a Master's or PhD.

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.

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 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.