Jobs at Mars Science Laboratory

Provides comprehensive administrative and operational support to JPL Section 353 management and technical groups. Responsibilities include travel processing, visitor badge requests, purchasing, scheduling meetings, timekeeping, presentations, website updates, office moves, onboarding and offboarding, work authorization memos, workshops, interviews, and ad hoc assignments. The role requires strong organization, customer service, discretion, communication, multitasking, and proficiency with Microsoft 365 and office automation tools.

Manages NASA JPL and NASAUniverse social media strategy, content planning, publishing, and community engagement. Creates platform-native graphics, carousels, short-form videos, captions, and other visual assets while translating complex science and engineering topics for public audiences. Monitors trends, account performance, and audience behavior; develops reports and recommendations; collaborates with NASA partners, scientists, designers, and communications teams; and supports mission events, breaking news, and changing priorities while maintaining accuracy, accessibility, and brand standards.

Develop AI-driven planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and execution algorithms for autonomous spacecraft, vehicles, and mission operations. Apply search-based, constraint-based, satisfaction, optimization, geometric reasoning, and operations research techniques to complex mission data. Build software for automation, real-time decision-making, and scientific data analysis, while contributing to interdisciplinary teams and potentially leading development efforts.

Conduct machine learning and data science research for robotic exploration, science, and engineering applications. Develop algorithms, datasets, and models for airborne, orbital, and planetary mission data, lead small research teams, collaborate with scientific and engineering experts, publish findings, and support technology infusion across JPL and NASA. The role focuses on imaging spectroscopy, remote sensing, scientific validation, large-scale computing, and operational delivery of AI-driven technologies.

Provides strategic HR partnership to client organizations, advising managers and employees on workforce planning, talent acquisition, compensation, development, employee relations, compliance, performance management, and organizational change. Uses human capital data to support decisions, collaborates with HR and legal teams, guides policy implementation, and develops talent and organizational strategies.

Leads power electronics tasks for space-flight hardware from concept through design, fabrication, testing, and delivery. Develops power system architectures, requirements, budgets, schedules, documentation, and technical reports. Designs and tests analog, digital, mixed-signal, power, and sensor electronics, supports reviews and mission proposals, and coordinates development activities across project teams. The role requires hands-on hardware development, test equipment and software expertise, task-level leadership, and the ability to obtain required U.S. Government clearance.

Manage complex government and commercial contracts, proposals, modifications, negotiations, and contractual risk. Interpret FAR, NASA, JPL, and commercial contracting requirements; develop negotiation positions; coordinate with Legal, Finance, technical, program, and sponsor stakeholders; provide authoritative guidance; negotiate NDAs, MOUs, IPAs, and related agreements; and maintain compliant contract records.

Supports NASA/Caltech prime contract and related agreements by coordinating proposals, task plans, renewals, modifications, contract execution, and compliance activities. Advises JPL personnel on contractual rights and obligations, processes NDAs, MOUs, IPAs, and other agreements, and maintains accurate contract records. Collaborates with Legal, Finance, Program Management, NASA, and external partners while developing expertise in federal contracting, negotiation, and compliance.

Leads end-to-end spacecraft power and electrical systems engineering across mission concept, architecture, requirements, design, verification, hardware delivery, integration, testing, and operations. Responsibilities include power sizing, resource management, electrical interfaces, grounding, EMI/EMC, harness design, architectural trades, flight hardware delivery, technical reviews, standards development, stakeholder presentations, mentorship, and mission-critical technical decisions.

Develops, plans, negotiates, and optimizes Deep Space Network antenna tracking schedules for spacecraft missions. Responsibilities include analyzing multi-mission scheduling data, producing allocation plans and view-period analyses, coordinating with mission engineers and scientists, resolving operational scheduling challenges, and participating in a 24/7 emergency on-call rotation. Completes a structured 3–6 month training program.

Provides administrative and business support for JPL’s Ground Software and Systems Engineering organization. Responsibilities include coordinating travel, visitor badges, procurement, meetings, presentations, onboarding and offboarding, recruiting logistics, office moves, events, compliance activities, and section resources. The role also maintains SharePoint, Wiki, and Alfresco content, supports workplace and cost-transfer processes, and handles sensitive information while coordinating with employees, affiliates, visitors, and foreign nationals.

Leads the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of innovative learning solutions and curricula for JPL employees. Partners with senior leaders, stakeholders, subject matter experts, and HR partners to translate business needs into measurable hybrid learning experiences. Develops eLearning, videos, instructor-led content, job aids, simulations, and learning portals; facilitates pilots and workshops; advises on talent development, change management, team effectiveness, leadership, and professional development; and oversees learning solution maintenance and retirement.

Designs, develops, delivers, and evaluates innovative learning solutions and curricula for JPL employees in hybrid learning environments. Partners with business stakeholders, subject matter experts, and HR teams to translate performance needs into measurable learning programs, including eLearning, videos, instructor-led training, simulations, job aids, and workshops. Manages projects from design through implementation, facilitates pilots, assesses business impact, and maintains learning products. Provides organizational consulting in areas such as leadership, mentoring, team effectiveness, and professional development.

Programs, sets up, and operates 3- to 5-axis CNC equipment to produce complex, high-precision spacecraft hardware. Develops machining strategies, performs unattended machining, interprets engineering drawings and GD&T, conducts self-inspection, maintains equipment, and optimizes cycle times. Collaborates with engineering teams on design-for-manufacturability and process planning while mentoring less experienced machinists. The role requires advanced Mastercam and Vericut expertise, precision machining experience, and strong knowledge of aerospace manufacturing practices.

Manages complex government task orders throughout their lifecycle, including development, modifications, funding actions, renewals, extensions, compliance, documentation, and closeout. Advises stakeholders on contractual obligations, risks, and FAR requirements while coordinating with NASA, sponsors, legal, pricing, business, program management, and technical teams. Independently resolves complex contractual issues and supports effective task order execution under the Caltech-NASA Prime Contract.

Designs human-centered Web, AR, and VR interfaces, workflows, and processes for NASA mission operations and scientific applications. Responsibilities include user research, requirements discovery, information architecture, prototyping, usability validation, roadmap prioritization, training, onboarding, change management, and communicating complex concepts. The role also supports AI and data science adoption, conducts qualitative and quantitative research, and develops solutions for specialized engineering and science users.

Lead the design and development of complex spacecraft avionics and power subsystem electronic test systems, including circuit card assemblies, FPGA IP, chassis, and rack assemblies. Derive requirements, guide FPGA implementation, coordinate multidisciplinary engineers, oversee integration and delivery, develop verification plans, and produce technical documentation. The role also provides technical leadership, contract oversight, and support for flight hardware integration and testing.

Conduct postdoctoral Earth Action science focused on advancing NASA Earth-observation products, applications, and decision-support. Responsibilities include scientific studies, product development, collaboration with community and organizational partners, and translating Earth science insights into practical societal applications. Scholars work across JPL and Caltech disciplines, communicate results to scientific and public audiences, and contribute to Earth-observing satellite and airborne-instrument missions.

Provides administrative and business support for a classified JPL project and cleared community. Responsibilities include calendar and meeting coordination, project and classified travel arrangements, event and visitor logistics, presentation materials, conference room coordination, purchasing documentation, and customer service. The role requires strong organization, initiative, multitasking, communication, judgment, and flexibility in a dynamic environment, along with proficiency in Microsoft applications and an active TS/SCI with polygraph clearance.

Supports a JPL engineering section’s business administration, including budgeting, financial analysis, forecasting, workforce and facilities administration, reporting, process improvement, and HR-related activities. Develops dashboards and automated reports, maintains websites and repositories, collaborates with business partners, handles confidential data, and serves as backup to the Section Business Manager.