Parts Engineer II

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

11d•$109,512 - $130,416

About The Position

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Electronic Parts Reliability Engineering Group reviews electrical, electronic, and electromechanical parts for reliability, advises projects on part selection, conducts analyses and experiments to understand part behavior in space-like environments, oversees compliant procurement, and maintains part inventories. The group works with both commercial and high-reliability components used in spacecraft and satellites. In this role, you will evaluate and approve electronic parts for space missions, advise project teams on selections that balance reliability, schedule, and cost, and develop part specifications and drawings. You will work with mission assurance, circuit design, project management, and manufacturers; support component development and supplier audits; assess risk and test data; investigate failures; and develop, execute, and analyze reliability testing. You will also review parts lists and requirements compliance using the Part Acquisition and Review System (PARS), helping ensure reviews, screening, testing, and procurement meet project schedules.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, physics, materials science/engineering, applied mathematics, or a related technical discipline and typically at least 3 years of related experience; alternatively, a master’s degree in a similar discipline and typically at least 1 year of related experience, or a PhD in a similar discipline.
Experience with electronic parts in design, evaluation, or testing.
Good working knowledge of circuits and device function.
Understanding of standard electronic device functions and failure mechanisms, and ability to design tests to verify them.
Ability to multitask and a track record of meeting schedule milestones.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work well with cross-functional teams, including design engineers, line management, and project management.
Understanding and substantial use of common computer tools and AI.
Understanding and experience in the selection, procurement, manufacture, use, and testing or screening of high-reliability microelectronics for space-flight applications.
Understanding and experience in the selection, procurement, manufacture, use, and testing or screening of commercial microelectronics, including automotive components, for high-reliability applications.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of experimental design and data analysis for electronic device reliability testing.
Knowledge of MIL-STD-883, MIL-STD-1580, MIL-PRF-38535, and relevant JEDEC and AEC specifications and requirements related to electronic parts.
Strong working knowledge of packaging and wafer fabrication.
Relevant experience in digital microelectronics manufacturing or design.
Knowledge of NASA parts requirements, including EEE-INST-002 and NASA-STD-87932.11.
Demonstrated leadership skills, including defining deliverables, tracking team deadlines, and delivering final reports.

Responsibilities

Evaluate, select, and approve electronics for space missions based on design, construction, quality, and reliability.
Advise project management on electronic part selections that maximize reliability while considering schedule and cost constraints.
Develop part engineering specifications and drawings.
Interface with Mission Assurance Managers, Circuit Design Engineers, and part manufacturers.
Work with manufacturers on new component development and lead resolution of technical issues to support project flight build.
Support technical surveys and audits of electronics part suppliers.
Perform statistical data analysis and risk assessments.
Disposition test and inspection failures, including failures during screening, destructive physical analysis (DPA), lot qualification, and receiving inspection.
Develop screening methods to reduce risk in space and during digital microelectronics manufacturing.
Understand potential electronics failure mechanisms and participate in failure investigations and reliability assessments.
Use the Part Acquisition and Review System (PARS) to review project parts lists and assess compliance with project requirements.
Help ensure part reviews, screening and testing, and procurement meet project schedules.
Develop, execute, and analyze reliability testing for new devices and publish findings.