Propulsion Development Technician IV

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

7d•$94,328 - $116,376•Onsite

About The Position

The Propulsion Development Technician works in JPL’s Mechanical Engineering, Integration and Test Section, which supports fabrication, assembly, cleaning, and testing of electro-mechanical developmental and flight hardware. The Section develops and matures equipment and technologies that enable fabrication and environmental testing for current and future missions. The role leads or contributes to technician teams that work with customers and quality assurance to prepare and execute test procedures for precision tubing fabrication, orbital tube welding, pressure/propulsion/fluid system assembly, and testing of research and development and flight components and systems. The technician may support flight-system assembly, testing, and launch-site operations, following best practices for handling flight hardware. The position also involves complying with laboratory protocols, government regulations, and professional standards; mentoring others in specialized fabrication and test practices; and maintaining equipment calibration and certification records. The work may include pressure-system safety activities, precision parts cleaning and analysis, and working in ISO-5 cleanrooms and other controlled environments while wearing a full cleanroom suit. The position may require travel to distant domestic or international locations. JPL’s campus is located in Pasadena, California.

Requirements

High school diploma with at least 10 years of general work experience and related required training, or an associate degree with at least 6 years of related experience, or a bachelor’s degree with at least 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 mechanical hardware assembly and testing, installation and testing of electronic components, and working with flight hardware.
Experience using hand tools, including some machining experience with equipment such as a drill press, band saw, and grinder.
Practice complying with applicable policies, procedures, and practices for handling flight hardware.
Ability to 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 distant domestic and/or international locations as needed.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Lead or serve as a key member of technician teams, interacting with customers and quality assurance to prepare and work from test procedures.
Perform precision tubing fabrication, orbital tube welding, pressure/propulsion/fluid system assembly, and test operations on R&D and flight components and systems.
Perform flight propulsion/fluid system assembly, testing, and launch-site operations while following flight-hardware handling best practices.
Ensure processes, products, and the work environment comply with Laboratory protocols, government regulations, and professional standards.
Mentor others in tube bending, flaring, facing, orbital tube welding, pressure/propulsion/fluid system assembly, and related practices.
Build pressure, propulsion, fluid, and purge systems to schematics using industry-standard components while maintaining cleanliness and appropriate torque.
Conduct proof, cold-shock, and leak testing, and perform moisture and hydrocarbon analysis.
Support Pressure Vessel Systems and Pressure System Safety activities, which may include relief-device and flex-hose testing, pressure testing, and creating or affixing PSS tags to tested components.
Perform precision parts cleaning using chemicals and cleaning solutions; operate ultrasonic cleaners; perform chemical and particle-count analyses and passivation operations, as required.
Follow protocols for working in ISO-5 cleanrooms and controlled environments, including wearing a full cleanroom suit.
Maintain calibration and certification records for equipment and notify the area lead when equipment requires calibration or maintenance.
Operate equipment using detailed test procedures and make adjustments as required.
Travel to distant domestic or international locations as needed.