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 the Mechanical & Control Systems Division which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of sophisticated mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems with expertise that spans the full breath of mechanical fields and is applied from architectural concept development through operations. These services are required to fabricate, assemble, and test electro-mechanical developmental and flight hardware using metal jointing.

As a Propulsion Development Technician, you will be working for JPL's Mechanical Engineering, Integration and Test Section which maintains technical support facilities and resources that provide the services required to fabricate, assemble, clean and test electro-mechanical developmental and flight hardware.  This Section develops and matures equipment and technologies, which enable and enhance our fabrication and environmental test capability for current and future missions.   

Responsibilities:

• Will lead or be a key member of a team of technicians responsible for interacting with customers and quality assurance in preparing and working from test procedures to perform precision tubing fabrication, orbital tube welding, pressure/propulsion/fluid system assembly, and test operations on R&D and flight components and systems.

• Will lead or be a key member of a team performing Flight propulsion/fluid system assembly, test, and launch site operations, following JCI-handling best practices when working on or near Flight hardware.

• Ensure that the process, product, and environment comply with Laboratory protocols, government regulations, and professional standards.

• Proficient in and able to mentor others in the following areas:

• Manual and mechanical tube bending, flaring, and facing operations per material limits, and know minimum bend radii for specific tube material, diameter, and wall thickness. 

• Preparing tubing, set purge parameters, configure weld heads, and perform orbital tube welding, recognizing weld discontinuities and defects and maintaining personal weld certifications and logs.

• Building pressure/propulsion/fluid/purge systems to schematics using industry-standard components (tubes/hoses, relief devices, fittings such as AN/VCR/compression, valves, regulators, gauges, flow meters, filters), maintaining required cleanliness levels and appropriate torque throughout assembly.

• Conducting proof, cold shock, and leak testing and perform moisture and hydrocarbon analysis.

• May support Pressure Vessel Systems (PVS) and Pressure System Safety (PSS) activities, including relief device and flex hose testing, pressure testing, and creation/affixing of PSS tags on tested components.

• May be required to perform precision parts cleaning using chemicals and cleaning solutions such as Isopropyl alcohol, Ethyl Alcohol, Acetone, Vertrel, Brulin detergent, Oakite or other high-alkaline detergent, operate ultrasonic cleaners, perform chemical and particle count analyses, and passivation operations.

• Will be required to work and follow all protocol for working in ISO-5 cleanroom and controlled environments, including but not limited to wearing full cleanroom suit.

• Will help keep calibration/certification records for equipment and notify area lead of any equipment requiring calibration or maintenance.

Required Qualifications:

• Typically requires a High School diploma with a minimum of 10 years of general work experience; related required training; or an Associates with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or Bachelor's degree with minimum of 3 years of related experience.
• Advanced understanding, technical expertise and experience in precision tubing fabrication, orbital tube welding, and pressure/propulsion/fluid system assembly.
• Expertise and experience in the following areas: mechanical hardware assembly and test, installation and test of electronic components; working with flight hardware.
• Experienced with use of hand tools, including some machining experience (drill press, band saw, grinder).
• Practice in complying with applicable policies, procedures, and practices in handling Flight Hardware.
• Tests and operate equipment from detailed test procedures and make adjustments as required
• Work with limited supervision requiring no instructions on routine work, and general instructions on new assignments.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to work in distant locations, domestic and/or international, as needed.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior Lead Technician experience – planning and prioritizations to meet project schedules, delegating tasks to technicians, training new technician, etc.
• Knowledge of JPL flight hardware practices and requirements
• Orbital tube welding certification and experience, including tube bending and flaring.
• Experience with pressure system fabrication, test, and certification methods, including proof, leak, and cold shock testing.
• Experience working in a class 100 – 100,000 cleanroom environment and performing precision parts cleaning.
• Experience with manual machining, including 3-axis mill and lathe operations.
• Experience with basic electrical fabrication, including familiarity with electronic components, cabling, soldering and wiring diagrams.
• Good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity, necessary to work with miniaturized systems or components.
• Extensive knowledge of computer applications (e.g., spreadsheets, databases, word processing, web searches) for component information.

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.