Propulsion Development Technician IV

Job Details

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus  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.

This unique opportunity is part of the Mechanical & Control Systems Division which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of sophisticated mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems with expertise that spans the full breath of mechanical fields and is applied from architectural concept development through operations. These services are required to fabricate, assemble, and test electro-mechanical developmental and flight hardware using metal jointing.

As a Propulsion Development Technician, you will be working for JPL's Mechanical Engineering, Integration and Test Section which maintains technical support facilities and resources that provide the services required to fabricate, assemble, clean and test electro-mechanical developmental and flight hardware. This Section develops and matures equipment and technologies, which enable and enhance our fabrication and environmental test capability for current and future missions.

Responsibilities:
Will lead or be a key member of a team of technicians responsible for interacting with customers and quality assurance in preparing and working from test procedures to perform precision tubing fabrication, orbital tube welding, pressure/propulsion/fluid system assembly, and test operations on R&D and flight components and systems.
Will lead or be a key member of a team performing Flight propulsion/fluid system assembly, test, and launch site operations, following JCI-handling best practices when working on or near Flight hardware.
Ensure that the process, product, and environment comply with Laboratory protocols, government regulations, and professional standards.
Proficient in and able to mentor others in the following areas:
Manual and mechanical tube bending, flaring, and facing operations per material limits, and know minimum bend radii for specific tube material, diameter, and wall thickness.
Preparing tubing, set purge parameters, configure weld heads, and perform orbital tube welding, recognizing weld discontinuities and defects and maintaining personal weld certifications and logs.
Building pressure/propulsion/fluid/purge systems to schematics using industry-standard components (tubes/hoses, relief devices, fittings such as AN/VCR/compression, valves, regulators, gauges, flow meters, filters), maintaining required cleanliness levels and appropriate torque throughout assembly.
Conducting proof, cold shock, and leak testing and perform moisture and hydrocarbon analysis.
May support Pressure Vessel Systems (PVS) and Pressure System Safety (PSS) activities, including relief device and flex hose testing, pressure testing, and creation/affixing of PSS tags on tested components.
May be required to perform precision parts cleaning using chemicals and cleaning solutions such as Isopropyl alcohol, Ethyl Alcohol, Acetone, Vertrel, Brulin detergent, Oakite or other high-alkaline detergent, operate ultrasonic cleaners, perform chemical and particle count analyses, and passivation…