Responsibilities:

The JPL Avionics, Power & Instrument Electronics Section's experts provide the knowledge and expertise for cutting edge technologies in a wide variety of fields including electronics, electrical ground support equipment, and power flight systems for JPL missions. The breadth of the section's technical expertise ranges from materials research to technology development to flight hardware implementation for robotic missions that explore our solar system. The Photovoltaic, Electrochemical and Thermoelectric Systems Group within the Avionics, Power & Instrument Electronics Section develops new technology for solar power generation and implements solar array hardware on space flight missions. Current destinations include the Moon, Mars, Venus, Psyche, Jupiter and its moons. Potential future destinations under study include Saturn and its moons, the Centaurs and Uranus.

As a JPL Solar Array Technologist, you will contribute to technology development efforts, including proposal preparation, laboratory experiments, reporting and publishing results and infusion of technology into flight projects. You will also contribute to implementation of solar array technology on flight missions, including generation of requirements, design, testing, verification of flight hardware and technical management of procurement.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. degree in Physics, Applied Physics or related technical field with a minimum of 2 years of related work experience, or a Master's degree in a related technical field with a minimum of 4 years of related work experience or a Bachelors degree in a related technical field with a minimum of 9 years of related work experience.
• Experience with and extensive knowledge of photovoltaics
• Experience with and broad knowledge in one or more of the following fields: electrical test systems, vacuum systems, environmental testing, solar simulation, space radiation and combined environments
• Computer programming in Python and/or Matlab
• Ability to collaborate with power systems and flight systems engineering teams to ensure successful integration of solar arrays into a space system
• Ability to provide mentoring/coaching to team members
• Ability to represent the solar array team to external organizations
• Ability to manage cost and schedule for development and flight project tasks

Preferred Skills:

• Ability to perform complex and varied job functions and activities in the field of space photovoltaics
• Ability to lead teams
• Ability to work effectively with different personalities across various organizations
• Ability to work independently on important assignments and projects with limited supervision

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.

$123,864 - $170,248