Engineering Development Technician II

About the role

This unique opportunity is part of the Manufacturing, Packaging, and Test Section that engages in research, technology development, and the creation of advanced mechanical, thermal, propulsion, and electronic packaging systems with expertise that spans the full breadth of mechanical disciplines and is applied from architectural concept development through operations.

Reporting to the Group Supervisor of Environmental Test, you will be responsible for maintaining and certifying several EMC lab facilities at JPL, and also support the EMC engineering team in performing EMC testing on flight hardware and R&TD assignments. This is an on-site position located in Pasadena, California.

Responsibilities

• Performing EMC testing, including Radiated Emissions, Radiated Susceptibility, Conducted Emissions, and Conducted Susceptibility per MIL-STD-461C/462, MIL-STD-461F/G, as well as JPL unique EMC tests including DC magnetics traceability and power quality testing.
• Reading and understanding EMC test procedures, independently setting up EMC tests, performing EMC tests using Tile! software, and understanding and interpreting EMC test results.
• Performing data processing during and after a test: verifying, reviewing, and documenting all pertinent data. Finalizing data and sending to EMC Engineer/customer.
• Lab management and maintenance: keeping all EMC lab facilities in clean working order, ensuring lab equipment is calibrated and maintained, organizing lab space, and managing lab inventory and supplies.
• Performing regular system checks of all RF components across 4 labs testing antennas such as Monopole, Bicon, Log-periodic, Double Rigged Waveguides, etc.
• Supporting construction of mechanical ground support equipment needed for unique EMC tests and simple modification of electronics ground support equipment including custom electrical switches and line impedance stabilization networks.

Requirements

• Typically requires a High School Diploma with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; or an Associate’s Degree with a minimum of 1 year of related experience. Related training required.
• Experience in EMC Testing. Ability to independently perform EMC tests, instrument checkouts, and calibration runs per Mil-Std 461C/462 and Mil-Std 461G EMC/EMI testing for emissions, susceptibility/immunity, and magnetics. Tests include Radiated Emissions (RE), Radiated Susceptibility (RS), Conducted Emissions (CE), and Conducted Susceptibility (CS) tests.
• Experience in using the ETS Lindgren Tile! EMC automated software, ability to create and run test profiles.
• Experience using a variety of Spectrum analyzers (Rohde and Schwarz ESU, FSP38, Keysight UXA), Oscilloscopes (Tektronix and Keysight), Signal generators (Keysight), Network Analyzers (Keysight PXA), Power meters (Keysight), Amplifiers (IFI and AR), antennas.

Desired Skills

• Knowledge in managing physical EMC laboratories on site, including daily upkeep, safety requirements, organization, maintenance, and calibration of over 200 components.
• Knowledge in performing regular system checks of all RF components across 3 labs testing antennas such as Monopole, Bicon, Log-periodic, Double Rigged Waveguides.
• Knowledge in EMC testing, including Radiated Emissions, Radiated Susceptibility, Conducted Emissions, and Conducted Susceptibility per MIL-STD-461C/462, MIL-STD-461F/G, as well as JPL unique EMC tests including DC magnetics traceability and power quality testing.
• Trained in flight hardware handling, electrostatic discharge, flight mate/demate, cleanroom fundamentals, personal protective equipment, etc.
• Knowledge in construction of mechanical ground support equipment needed for unique EMC tests and simple modification of electronics ground support equipment including custom electrical switches and line impedance stabilization networks.
• Advanced understanding of DMM, Oscilloscope, power supplies, RF amplifiers, RF measurement techniques, and the use of various RF measurement instruments (specifically Spectrum Analyzers, EMI Receivers, Network Analyzers, EMI receivers, Power Meters).
• Strong working knowledge of TILE (Total Integrated Laboratory Environment) EMC test software.

Benefits

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave, and many more. For benefits-eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

Pay

The typical full-time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California is $72,800 - $90,480.