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 senior-level opportunity is part of the Mechanical and Control Systems Division (35), which creates advanced mechanical, robotics, thermal, propulsion, onboard GNC, and electronic packaging systems. Division 35 develops hardware and systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, subsystem and system-level integration, and test.
Note: As a temporary position, this assignment may last up to 36 months in duration with approvals based on 6 to 12-month assignments. However, please note that you are not under any employment contract and your temporary employment status can be terminated at any time, with or without notice.
You will be working as a Mechanical Design Engineer within the Mechanical Engineering, Integration, and Test Section, which leads the design, analysis, development, integration, and test of flight mechanical and robotic systems for spacecraft, payloads, and ground-based systems. In this role, you will:
Perform as a Mechanical Design Engineer for JPL on a spacecraft, instrument, robotic, and/or Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) application
Create complex CAD models, manage critical assemblies and produce engineering drawings.
Work with world class engineers and participate in teams in a highly collaborative environment.
Develop and manage configurations and/or trades on the mechanical design for projects
Interfacing with space science experts, analysts, manufacturing engineers, and project staff
Lead the design effort for conceptualization, design and tolerancing of highly complex mechanical components, subassemblies, and assemblies for spacecraft, payloads, mechanisms, opto-mechanical systems, and ground support equipment.
Conduct and approve critical mechanical design and analysis efforts, including structural, thermal, dynamic, kinematic, GD&T, material selection, and producibility evaluations.
Oversee and guide development of engineering documentation, including models, drawings, interface definitions, mechanical requirement sets, and design packages
Lead subsystem-level architecture development for mechanical designs, ensuring robust interfaces, integration feasibility, and end-to-end mechanical integrity.
Present mechanical engineering products and decisions at subsystem, system, and management reviews, representing the technical status and justification for mechanical design choices.
Required Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with a minimum of 9 years of related experience; or Master’s degree with a minimum of 7 years; or a PhD with a minimum 5 years of related experience.
Extensive experience designing, analyzing, developing, integrating, and verifying mechanical components and assemblies for spaceflight or comparably complex environments.
Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex mechanical design efforts, including requirements development, interface definition, subsystem architecture, and formal design reviews.
Proven experience approving mechanical engineering products such as drawings, models, analyses, interface documents, and change requests.
Strong communication skills and ability to present complex mechanical engineering material to internal and external…