Mechanical Systems Engineer IV

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

5d•$170,144 - $215,800•Onsite

About The Position

This senior-level role is within JPL’s Mechanical and Control Systems Division (35), which develops advanced mechanical, robotics, thermal, propulsion, onboard GNC, and electronic packaging systems from early architecture through design, fabrication, integration, and test. The position is in the Mechanical Engineering, Integration, and Test Section (352), responsible for the design, analysis, development, integration, and test of flight mechanical and robotic systems for spacecraft, payloads, and ground-based systems. The Mechanical Systems Engineer leads mechanical hardware development and systems engineering for payloads, instruments, and spacecraft throughout mission phases, from proposals and architecture through detailed design, integration and test, and flight operations. The role exercises technical authority over requirements, interfaces, verification and validation plans, engineering products, technical direction, and major decisions. It also guides engineering documentation and technical data packages, directs complex trade studies and technical models, supports cost and schedule planning, represents technical status to stakeholders, and provides mentorship and oversight to multidisciplinary teams. This is a temporary position that may last up to 36 months, with assignments subject to approval in 6- to 12-month intervals. The posting states that the position is not an employment contract and temporary employment may be terminated at any time, with or without notice.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline with typically at least 9 years of related experience; or a master’s degree with at least 7 years of related experience; or a Ph.D. with related experience (the posting does not specify the number of years for a Ph.D.).
Extensive experience researching, developing, designing, analyzing, assembling, integrating, testing, or verifying mechanical systems for spaceflight or similarly complex environments.
Ability to translate mission-level needs into system architectures, technical requirements, and implementation strategies.
Experience exercising technical authority, approving engineering products, and leading critical reviews.
Ability to plan tasks, lead projects, manage schedules, and deliver commitments in complex, multi-organizational environments.
U.S. citizenship and an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based on a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) within a 5-year scope; must be eligible for approval for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) accesses.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading development and delivery of spaceflight hardware or other complex mechanical systems.
Success defining and approving requirements, interfaces, verification and validation plans, and risk mitigation strategies at subsystem or system levels.
Expertise in CAD modeling tools such as NX, SolidWorks, and Teamcenter, and in advanced classical and finite element analysis (FEA) methods.
Deep knowledge of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5.
Ability to innovate, solve unprecedented engineering challenges, and lead multidisciplinary teams.
Strong communication skills and ability to present complex information to management, partners, and external organizations.
Experience representing organizations in technical reviews and coordinating across multiple teams and partners.
Experience with aerospace fabrication processes, specifically composite structures.
Experience with aerospace material selection and implementation, specifically composite structures.
Experience with mass properties.
Experience with engineering CAD (Computer-Aided Design).
Understanding of JPL, NASA, and Aerospace Corporation policies and procedures.
Experience with JAMA.
Experience with opto-mechanical hardware design, implementation, and test.

Responsibilities

Lead mechanical hardware development and mechanical systems engineering for payloads, instruments, and spacecraft across proposal, architecture, detailed design, integration and test, and flight operations phases.
Approve requirements, interfaces, verification and validation plans, and key engineering products to ensure technical integrity and mission success.
Lead the generation and maintenance of engineering documentation, design artifacts, and technical data packages.
Direct complex trade studies, oversee highly complex technical models, and drive major technical decisions with significant mission and organizational impact.
Lead the definition, documentation, and management of technical requirements, interfaces, and mechanical systems engineering products for spaceflight missions.
Ensure delivered products meet technical requirements and programmatic commitments, exercising broad judgment and authority over technical direction.
Advise and contribute significantly to cost and schedule estimation and implementation planning for mechanical engineering components.
Present technical work to line, project, and management audiences, representing system status and major decisions.
Provide mentorship, coaching, technical guidance, and oversight for engineers, designers, analysts, and cross-disciplinary team members.
Work independently with wide latitude and form and lead multidisciplinary teams to address high-impact technical challenges.