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 Facilities and Logistics Operations Division (Div 6400) is responsible for the overall physical development and maintenance of the laboratory. The objective of the division is to provide a safe physical environment that promotes the advancement and transfer of knowledge. Our core function is the stewardship, reliability, and safe operation of the Lab’s physical infrastructure, site structures, utility systems, and equipment. Our primary goal is to provide advanced workplaces, resilient infrastructure, and comprehensive logistics to enable optimal Laboratory operations with minimal disruption.

The Facilities Operations Section (Section 642) assumes end-to-end ownership of the physical work environment. This includes the set-up, sustainment, and tear-down of the Laboratory's infrastructure, from the building core to specialized technical spaces. The section is responsible for the overall physical maintenance and safe operation of the Laboratory, ensuring optimal building operating conditions, common area maintenance, and energy efficiency programs. Facilities Operations manages essential utility services (electricity, natural gas, and water), oversees facilities-related sub-contracting services, and specializes in operating and certifying critical technical facilities, including cleanrooms with stringent contamination control protocols, pressure vessels, liquid cryogens, and specialized Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) techniques, all to directly support mission development and testing.

We invite you to join the Facilities Operations Section within the Facilities and Logistics Operations Division to serve as an Electrical Engineer IV. This is a senior role within the Facilities Management group and will report to the Group Supervisor.

In this role, you will be responsible for the overall reliability, maintainability, oversight, and compliance of highly complex institutional electrical infrastructure across the Lab, ranging from low-voltage systems to critical high-voltage substations.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Conduct highly complex, technically challenging quality inspections of maintenance work performed by subcontractors on critical electrical systems (e.g., UPS, switchgear, generators, 16.5 kV substations) to ensure strict compliance with job plans, industry standards (NFPA, NETA, CEC), and regulatory requirements.

• Lead and conduct highly complex investigations, Failure Mode Analysis, and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) on major electrical equipment failures and downtime incidents.

• Develops and implements strategic, long-term corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

• Design, implement, and continuously improve complex preventive/predictive maintenance (PM/PdM) programs based on the total application of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) concepts and data-driven insights.

• Develops, reviews, and updates as needed standard electrical policies, procedures, and requirements as needed.

• Serves as a mentor, providing guidance and technical mentorship to operations personnel, construction/project managers, and multidisciplinary teams regarding complex electrical troubleshooting, maintenance procedures, and technology improvements.

• Leads multifunctional and/or multidisciplinary Maintenance and Operations (M&O) projects, Facility Service Requests, and Construction of Facilities (CoF) projects related to electrical infrastructure. Accountable for project safety, performance standards, budget, and schedule adherence.

• Develops highly complex scopes of work (SOWs) based on user requirements and authors written statements of work for external subcontracts contracts.

• Reviews/approves all third-party Methods of Operation (MOPs) and Lockout/Tagout Procedures (LOPs) to ensure maintainability, sustainability, and absolute safety.

• Conducts final-level design reviews and plan checks for new construction and reconstruction projects, specifically evaluating electrical system designs for compliance, long-term maintainability, and reliability performance.

• Identifies major energy conservation and plant modernization projects that go beyond the scope of current subcontractor duties, contributing significantly to established energy goals and continual plant reliability improvement.

• Ensures all maintenance, repair, and modification activities are executed in strict accordance with NASA-approved directives, organizational policies, and current local/national electrical codes (e.g., NFPA 70, NETA, CEC/NEC).

• Utilizes the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to monitor subcontractor performance, evaluate data from quality inspections, and generate reports that drive strategic recommendations for improving maintenance effectiveness and efficiency.

• Interfaces regularly with management and JPL project stakeholders, internal & external organizations (e.g., subcontract partners, NASA centers) as the technical representative during design, development and execution of electrical infrastructure-related projects.

• Functions as the technical advisor to management on all significant electrical maintenance issues.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (or a similar related discipline) with a minimum of 9 years of related experience; OR a Master’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of related experience; OR a PhD with a minimum of 5 years of related experience.

• Extensive understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, and concepts in the operation and maintenance of large, campus-type institutional electrical infrastructure, utility systems, and equipment.

• Expert-level, working knowledge and experience with critical electrical systems, including:

- High Voltage Systems (16.5 kV or equivalent).

- Substations, Switchgear, and Distribution equipment.

- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and Power Distribution Units

(PDUs).

- Emergency Generators and Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS).

• Complete knowledge and demonstrated application of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and advanced failure analysis techniques (RCA/FMEA). Extensive knowledge of relevant electrical codes and standards (NFPA 70, NETA, CEC/NEC).

• Proven ability to work on major assignments without appreciable direction, exercising considerable latitude in determining objectives and independent judgment in evaluating complex and unusual problems.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to report out on project status and advise/consult with management on highly complex and significant technical issues.

• Excellent working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of programs including MS Project.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working in a Federal government or high-security laboratory setting.

• Expertise in electrical arc flash hazard analysis and mitigation.

• Working knowledge of CMMS platforms such as MAXIMO or Meridian.

• Experience using Bluebeam Software as a review and documentation tool.

• The nature of this work may require occasional non-standard hours to meet critical project deadlines and support operational requirements.

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.

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.

EEO is the Law.

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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 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.