Instrumentation Engineer

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In this position the candidate will be performing the role of Instrumentation Engineer at NASA’s Arc Jet Complex at NASA Ames Research Center. The candidate will work under the guidance of the Lead Test Engineer and will specialize in characterization of plasma flows and high temperature surfaces with respect to thermal protection system testing (TPS). The candidate will be familiar with and direct test personnel on the instrument types used for plasma flow characterizations and TPS testing.

Instrument types include visible and infrared spectrometers, lasers, cameras, calorimeter probes, thermocouples, and pitot probes. For optical diagnostics, the candidate will be responsible for setting up and guiding the operation of the diagnostic for flow and surface characterization during arc jet testing. Specifically, the candidate will support the NASA Test Engineering group with instrument set up and operation for TPS testing, follow and continually improve documented procedures for data acquisition, analyze acquired data in a timely manner, and interpret results in collaboration with the Lead Test Engineer.

For calorimeter and pitot probes, the candidate will work with the Test Engineering group to plan arc jet testing aimed at reducing uncertainty in calorimeter-measured heat flux. The candidate will also provide technical expertise to help interpret the results of these internal calorimeter tests. The candidate will communicate key findings to customers and document findings through either internal reports or publication of conference and journal papers.

The ideal candidate will continually be looking for better (e.g., lower uncertainty, more efficient) methods of making key arc jet measurements, will recommend potential improvements for existing diagnostics, and will help implement selected improvements.

Visual and physical contact with test system hardware and installed test articles. Multiple workstation assignments (office, test facility, control room, laboratory, shops, etc.). Transportation of notebooks, drawings, forms, sensors, etc. required. Ability to hear normal conversation. One eye (minimum) correctable to 20/20. Ability to distinguish eight colors on basic panel displays and wiring. Ability to manipulate small and delicate instruments and wiring.

Work is accomplished in an office, control room, in and around test facility buildings, and within facility test chambers. Movement is required between these work areas. Some work areas are high in noise.

Equipment and Machines Involved in Work Tasks:
Office and control room equipment includes computers, calculators, electronic instruments, mechanical instruments, and miscellaneous precision measuring devices.

Normal working hours are 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. A "compressed" schedule with 9-hour days and every other Friday off is also available. Regular on-site daily attendance is required to maintain team effectiveness.

Provides technical supervision to assigned project personnel and assists management on administrative matters. Must be able to obtain a NASA badge and gain access to the work facilities.

• Health and medical benefits including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance (eligible employees and their dependents may elect).
• 401(k) plan, deferred compensation plan, and Executive Deferral Plan.
• 17 days of vacation per year, 11 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday (if applicable).
• Caregiver leave.
• Company stock purchase option and performance discretionary bonus.
• Base salary range $92,000 to $127,000.

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Basic data analysis skills with experience in software such as Matlab, Origin, Igor, or Python.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interface with engineers and technicians.
• U.S. citizenship or Permanent Resident status.

• Background in high-enthalpy ground test facilities or plasma physics.
• Experience designing, building, implementing, and collecting data from high-enthalpy flow or plasma diagnostics.
• Technical writing and reporting experience (scientific papers for conferences or journals).