RF Microwave Engineer III

RF Microwave Engineer IIINew 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 Flight Communications & Tracking Section at JPL is looking for a RF Microwave Engineer III to join their Frequency and Timing Systems Group.

The Group provides the Deep Space Network (DSN) with precision atomic frequency and time references and distribution systems and operates state-of-the-art microwave and optical metrology references and test capabilities in the Frequency Standards Test Laboratory. As a member of this Group, you will have an opportunity to be involved with a diverse engineering team working in the development and implementation of advanced state-of-the-art frequency and timing systems (FTS).Tasks may include but are not limited to:Develop unique ultralow noise and power efficient microwave oscillators and synthesizers; reliable resonant drivers for ion traps and discharge lamps; ultralow noise power efficient analog electronics for JPLs trapped ion frequency standards with the goal to reduce size and improve performance of the clocks if compared with the recently flown Deep Space Atomic ClocksSupport development and maintenance of RF and microwave assemblies for the Deep Space Network Frequency and Time Subsystem (FTS) on a Cognizant Engineer level. Those include S-Ka bands Comb Generation Assemblies that produce thousands of equally-spaced ultra stable microwave harmonics used for the calibration of frequencies of the spacecraft tracking as well as radio astronomy signals.Develop, design, assemble and test electronic drivers for the following: high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) compact and power efficient atomic clocks, unique low noise optical and radio frequency systems, and compact rugged metrology devices and microwave photonic oscillators.Qualifications:Bachelors in Electrical and Electronics Engineering with Microwave engineering focus with a minimum of 6 years of related experience, Masters in a related discipline with a minimum of 4 years of related experience, PhD in a related discipline with a minimum of 2 years of related experience.Expertise in the development of radiofrequency resonant tank circuits, and low noise analog electronics.Wide-ranging hands-on experience and advanced knowledge of low noise and precision circuits.Familiarity of atomic clock principles.Experience with developing hardware from concept to prototype to engineering model to field deployed/flight model stage with the goal to operate the hardware over multiple years in the relevant environment.Experience with electrical and electronic design tools such as Altium and HFSS.Ability to assemble (both hands-on assembly and ability to work with assembly houses) and troubleshoot advanced microwave boards for impedance mismatches, parasitics, grounding issues, layout effects, and packaging imperfectness using vector network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes with high bandwidth probes, phase noise measurement systems.Preferred Skills:Computer and analytical skills necessary for microwave circuit design (AWR Microwave Office, ADS, PSpice, HFSS)Experience with development, building and testing of circuits suitable for driving and controlling state-of-the-art frequency references and state of the art measurement techniques including cross-correlation phase noise analysis, frequency discrimination, heterodyne measurements, timing jitter and time error measurements.Familiarity with basics of quantum physics and spectroscopy, both fundamental and technical noise sources as well as error sources pertaining to clocks and oscillators as well as control theory and oscillator stabilization techniques.Significant experience with printed circuit board programs (OrCAD, Altium Designer), and experience with taking circuit analysis through design, build and test.Software and hardware-related experience of development of analog-digital mixed circuitry using micro-processors and FPGAs, high-resolution ADCs, and digital phase detectorsFamiliarity with computer-based data acquisition and instrumentationStrong communication skills both written and verbal.