Job Details

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

Responsibilities:

The Instruments and Communications Division is known for the development and infusion of technologies that enable advanced flight sensors, instruments, and deep space communications. Our expertise spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum — from Radio Frequency (RF) through ultraviolet (UV). Our product line ranges from quantum technology and flight systems, imaging spectrometers, microwave radiometers, scientific radars, mass spectrometers and other in situ instruments, ground and space-based RF and optical systems, and innovative sensors. We create novel material systems and fabrication techniques that unlock new concepts and mission architecture. We pioneer deep space communication theory, implement advanced communication systems, and develop navigational tracking to understand where we are and how to ensure robust engineering and science data return.

The Optics and Spectroscopy Section provides world-leading capability and expertise in a wide range of technologies that are crucial to the development of optical instruments. Section leadership and expertise are specifically applied to the development of sophisticated ground and space-based optical systems in the following areas: research and development of optics-related technologies; system architecture and concept definition; detailed optical system design for space-based and airborne systems, opto-mechanical design, analysis, and implementation; optical hardware integration and alignment, test and calibration of optical instruments and systems.

We invite you to join the Optics and Spectroscopy Section to serve as an Optical Engineer III. You will be reporting administratively to the Group Supervisor of the High Contrast Imaging Group. This group specializes in the development of high-contrast coronagraphic systems for direct imaging of exoplanets including both internal coronagraphs and starshades. The group’s expertise includes design, operation, and maintenance of world-leading testbed facilities; design, integration, and testing of orbiting high-contrast instruments as well as ground-based observatory-class instruments; design of  unique diffraction control components;  development of wavefront sensing and control algorithms; development and validation of precision optical propagation codes and  post-processing algorithms; optical systems engineering including development of detailed error budgets.

 The group also provides concept-to-implementation technical leadership and support for technologies ranging from precision metrology to long-baseline interferometry.The High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) is the world’s foremost facility for demonstrating technologies capable of imaging and characterizing Earth-like exoplanets orbiting nearby stars. This facility was used to develop the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope Coronagraph Instrument (CGI) and is being transformed into the development facility for the Habitable World’s Observatory (HWO). The success of the testbed and the HWO mission critically depends on the ability to accurately and efficiently model the physics of optical propagation through the systems. These models must incorporate wavefront sensing and control algorithms and deformable mirror characteristics, polarization aberrations, and realistic representations of manufactured optics and masks. 

Tasks will include but not be limited to:

• Lead the starlight suppression modeling and model validation efforts in support of HWO and HCIT.

• Support coronagraph and telescope architecture and design trades for HWO.

• Support development of wavefront control and post-processing algorithms.

• Support optical systems engineering including development of performance error budgets and optical tolerancing.

• Support coronagraphic technology development for the High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT);

• Develop high efficiency modeling platforms for broad-band high-contrast starlight suppression systems.

• Document the platforms.

• Mentor team members in use of the modeling tools.

• Lead a team of modelers including prioritization of modeling tasks.

• Planning for model validation efforts.

• Optical design and tolerancing for testbed and flight instrumentation.

• Optical systems engineering including developing error budgets for components, subsystems, and systems.

• Plan and coordinate model development activities including cost and schedule.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related technical field with a minimum of 6 years of hands-on hardware work experience; Master’s degree in similar fields with a minimum of 4 years of hands-on hardware work experience; or Ph.D. in  related discipline to optical engineering and/or physics with a minimum of 2 years hands-on hardware work experience;

• Extensive understanding of fundamental principles, theories, and concepts of optical propagation.

• Extensive experience modeling optical propagation including polarization and wavefront control.

• Extensive experience in at least one common scientific programming language (Python, Matlab, C++, etc).

• Understanding and experience with high-performance computing platforms.

• Understanding of optical design tools such as Code V and/or Zemax.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with interferometric optical testing, e.g. Zygo, 4-D, or Wyko

• Experience with alignment of complex optical instruments

• Experience with multiple common scientific programming languages.

NOTE: The location preference for this position is on-site at the JPL Campus. This job may be considered a remote position; a determination will be made when a candidate is selected.

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. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$152,880 - $188,448

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.