Senior Communications and Signal Processing Engineer

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

2d•$206,128 - $250,536•Onsite

About The Position

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. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Communications and Instruments Division conducts scientific investigations, advanced technology research, engineering development, and system implementation in space telecommunications, tracking, and active remote sensing using electromagnetic waves. The Ground Communications & Architectures Section (361) provides end-to-end communications system engineering and architectures across RF and optical domains. This includes long-term network evolution and planning; development of large ground antennas for the Deep Space Network (DSN); low-noise amplifiers, transmitters, and RF feed systems; channel coding and data compression; advanced digital receivers for antenna arraying and weak-signal tracking; entry, descent, and landing (EDL) support; optical communications; global spectrum management; and solar system radar operations supporting planetary defense, debris characterization, and radio science. The Advanced Communications & Networking Group within Section 361 is seeking a Senior Communications and Signal Processing Engineer. The group’s work includes pioneering contributions to the theory, design, and standardization of turbo codes and low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, as well as efficient algorithms for compressing still and hyperspectral imagery, all of which enable energy-efficient and reliable communication of data from NASA/JPL spacecraft instruments to Earth. Currently, the group is focused on applying its core expertise to a broad set of applications in data compression, RF, optical, and quantum communications, and signal analysis and machine learning to support efficient extraction of information from a variety of data sources. Key customers include both NASA and non-NASA sponsors.

Requirements

PhD in electrical engineering, Signal Analysis or similar disciplines with a minimum of 8 years of related work experience; Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 10 years of related work experience; Bachelor’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 12 years of related work experience.
Significant expertise in analysis of telecommunication or communication signal processing systems and technology development.
Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, and concepts for signal analysis and technical analyses of telecommunications systems resulting in contributions to the development of new theories and methods.
Demonstrated application of advanced theories and principles in areas such as: Information theory Source coding Channel coding Detection and estimation theory Digital and adaptive signal processing RF or optical communications from space
Significant experience in proposing, developing or executing technology research in one or more of the group’s current technological focus areas of channel coding, modulation, ranging, data compression, RF communications, optical communications, quantum communications, signal processing, and machine learning.
Strong leadership skills with excellent track record in planning, executing, and implementing complex projects or tasks.
Demonstrated experience in leading work groups and teams.
Excellent communications, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

Nice To Haves

Recent JPL experience in task and/or project management relating to telecommunication systems.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with JPL technical sections and divisions, and with JPL program and project offices.
Record of successful collaboration across organizational boundaries, including scientists, investigators, and partners in industry, academia and government.
Experience working with non-NASA sponsors.
Willingness to obtain a security clearance.
Knowledge of Laboratory policies and procedures, NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations across a range of applications.

Responsibilities

Lead development of new business opportunities, including proposals, technical approaches, and strategic initiatives
Drive research and development in areas such as RF and optical digital modems, adaptive signal processing, optical receivers and arraying systems, advanced modulation and encoding/decoding, synchronization, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), and ranging.
Plan, lead, and execute technical tasks within the Advanced Communications & Networking Group
Provide technical leadership and oversight across the group and the institution, guiding capabilities, aligning efforts across teams, and representing JPL in collaborations with external partners
Contribute to defining capability goals, strategy, and long-term technical direction