Thermal Systems Engineer II; Multi-Layer Insulation

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 Division which engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems with expertise that spans the full breath of mechanical disciplines and is applied from architectural concept development through operations.

As a Thermal Engineer, you will be working for JPL's Thermal, Propulsion and Materials Engineering Section (353) which provides leadership and unique world-class expertise in a wide range of technologies and technical discipline areas of chemical and electrical propulsion, thermal, materials, contamination control engineering, materials testing, and analytical chemistry support to technology and flight programs. You will be a member of the Thermal Fluid Systems & Hardware Group and will report to the Group Supervisor.

The focus of this role includes designing thermal systems, hardware development, assembly and testing. The Thermal Engineer will be working primarily on Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI) & Single Layer Insulation (SLI) blankets and soft-goods for spacecraft temperature control and energy management.

• Design custom SLI and MLI blankets from requirements to support the MLI Lead Engineer.
• Work with the Lead MLI Engineer on using computer aided design for blanket patterns.
• Support the patterning, fabrication, bake-outs, delivery, and installation of flight MLI/SLI in a cleanroom environment.
• Work with JPL and JPL partners thermal system engineers to guide the material selection, design and implementation of thermal SLI and MLI.
• Oversee material traceability by tracking blanket shop supplies, flight-certified materials, processing material charge, re-certification of materials, part numbers, and procure materials.
• Support the coordination of blanket technicians’ access and logistics to flight hardware (payloads and spacecraft) with the MLI Lead Engineer.
• Support the planned logistics and technician support for a variety of assignments within multiple JPL facilities, nation-wide at non-JPL spacecraft/payload manufacturer’s facilities, as well as internationally at the facilities of any of JPL’s partners, including launch pad support.
• Prepare for technical design and test review presentations and close review action items.
• Support the MLI Lead Engineer with MLI costing/schedule for flight projects.
• Support the MLI Lead Engineering in completing significant projects or assignment milestones.
• Support design trades that successfully balance performance margins, resource use, risk, cost, and schedule.
• Build trusting relationships between project customers, team members, the Lead MLI Engineer and line management.
• Partner with subsystem engineers to complete interface agreements.
• Develop and maintain extensive knowledge base of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics or…