Data Scientist II

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 Artificial Intelligence Group ( is seeking a Data Scientist II to work on fundamental research problems leading to unique software applications in spacecraft autonomy, scientific data analysis, mission operations automation, and onboard analysis for real-time decisions.

The Data Scientist II will have the opportunity to work on development projects that include the automation of ground and flight operations for communications stations, space missions, marine vehicles, and aerial vehicles, including fleets of vehicles. You will use Artificial Intelligence technologies to partially and fully automate critical systems for scheduling, planning, and resource allocation. Our software is currently in use for numerous missions including but not limited to: ECOSTRESS, OCO-3, EMIT, NISAR, M2020, and the DSN.

Tasks include but are not limited to:

• Develop planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and execution algorithms for autonomous systems that interpret complex state, resource, constraint, and event data to take actions to achieve mission goals.
• Develop and use search-based, constraint-based, satisfaction and optimization systems to solve large scale planning and resource allocation problems.
• Develop software to represent and reason about complex geometric and operations constraints relevant to observation planning.
• Support broader team efforts in this automation and resource allocation areas.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related discipline with a minimum of 3 years of related work experience; Master's degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 1 years of related work experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with 0 years of related work experience.
• Broad knowledge in one or more related fields of the following areas: software development, artificial intelligence, operations research, resource allocation mechanisms.
• Experience in wide application of principles, theories, concepts, and techniques in programming languages (in order of preference) such as Rust, C++, C, Python, and Java.
• Background knowledge in Artificial Intelligence and/or Operations research techniques and concepts, as documented by software artifacts built, tested, etc.

Preferred Skills:

• Hands-on experience in automation and analysis systems for robotic autonomous systems.
• Extensive knowledge of applicable industry and/or academic practices and standards in Software design & development and Computer Science.
• Experience in interdisciplinary team leadership.

Note: Must have an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) within a 5 year scope and must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) accesses.

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.

$122,720 - $135,512

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.

EEO is the Law Supplement

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.