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.

The Tracking Systems and Application Section provides world-leading capability and expertise in a wide range of technologies that are critical to spacecraft tracking and related applications. The Section undertakes precise ranging measurements for gravity sensing applications, using both laser and microwave ranging. In addition, the section uses precision orbit determination (POD) of low Earth orbiter (LEO) missions using GNSS and other data, calibration and validation of NASA’s satellite altimeter missions as well as supporting NASA's deep-space missions by providing to the JPL navigators unique and extremely precise radiometric sources and data types. The Section provides the Deep Space Network (DSN) with precision atomic frequency and time references and distribution systems. The Section also delivers to JPL navigators a host of other products that are required for deep space navigation such as celestial and terrestrial reference frame coordinates, Earth orientation parameters, and calibrations to account for the effects of the Earth's troposphere and ionosphere on radiofrequency metric tracking data-types.

For terrestrial and near-Earth users the Section offers the highest accuracy Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based positioning and timing products and services. The Section also performs extensive scientific investigations using its technologies in the areas of planetary dynamics, astrophysics, astrometry and radio astronomy, gravitational waves, geophysics, and fundamental physics.

Responsibilities:

As an Embedded Flight Software Engineer in the GNSS and Signals of Opportunity Flight Instruments group, you will be assigned technical tasks and projects, and report to the group supervisor administratively. Initial work will include FPGA digital signal processing algorithm design and implementation, as well as software and hardware-related tasks. Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop FPGA firmware for GNSS software defined radio development. Primary targeted components include the Xilinx Kintex, Zynq and RFSoC.

• Work with a small team to architect, design and deliver state of the art future receivers and help define the required DSP FPGA firmware associated with them.

• Use design verification tools to verify and validate FPGA designs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, or related technical discipline with typically a minimum of 6 years of related experience; Master's degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 4 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.

• Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, concepts and techniques in software engineering and relevant knowledge and experience in the fields below:

  • Experience in embedded real-time software development in C, CPP

  • Experience with application software development in Python

  • Experience in FPGA development and testing

• Has advanced knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards.

• Oral and written communication skills relating to leading team meetings, producing documentation and reporting to team leads.

• Able to work independently on key projects and assignments with only limited direction, typically receiving few or no instructions.

• Able to exercise discretion and independent judgment in evaluating potential approaches and solutions to critical problems and determining appropriate resolutions.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Xilinx FPGA design

• Experience in embedded flight software and firmware

• Knowledge of GNSS Digital Signal Processing

• Experience with RFSoC and the associated RF Signal blocks

• Familiarity with remote sensing, applications and science data processing

• Familiarity with GPS receiver design

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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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

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 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.