Power Systems Engineer I (345A)

About the Role

The Power Systems Engineer I is a critical role within JPL's Avionics, Power, & Instrument Electronics Section, focusing on the design, analysis, fabrication, testing, verification, and operations of electronics, electrical ground support equipment, and power flight systems for JPL missions. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of next-generation electronics and power systems that will propel missions throughout the solar system.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and management of power system and electrical system requirements.
• Support the development and execution of V&V plans on JPL lead projects/missions.
• Support the development of power system architectures and power subsystem definition on new mission proposals.
• Support power system sizing & resource management.
• Define and document electrical interfaces across a spacecraft.
• Work effectively with power designers in defining optimum architectures.
• Contribute to architectural trades to optimize systems across technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Understand grounding diagrams in support of a compliant EMI/EMC approach.
• Produce detailed and accurate design products for hardware development and to document the as-built configuration.
• Present power system concepts to different levels of line management and project teams.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, or related technical subject area.
• General understanding of one or more of the following areas: Analog Electronics, Controls, Power Systems Design, Systems Engineering, Electrical Systems Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Integration and Test.
• General understanding of principles, theories, concepts and techniques in Power Systems Engineering.
• Project experience delivering building and testing hardware.
• General knowledge of grounding, EMI/EMC, electrical compatibility, signal integrity, and battery management.
• Knowledge related to the development, testing, integration, and use of solar arrays and batteries for space applications.
• Experience with standard electronic test equipment: oscilloscope, power supply, logic analyzer, etc.
• Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose problems to determine the root cause.
• Knowledge of power converter topologies, power switching, and control systems.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, or related technical subject area, with a minimum of 1 year of related work experience, OR Masters in a similar discipline with 0 years of related work experience.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with power subsystem hardware, electrical interfaces, and complex integrated systems.
• Knowledge of industry and/or academic practices and standards system development.
• Experience in hardware development and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with Altium Designer, LTSPICE, and PLECS.
• Ability to multi-task meet schedule milestones.