Full-Time

Software Quality Assurance Engineer 3

Updated on 8/1/2026

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

5,001-10,000 employees

Federally funded space science R&D center

Compensation Overview

$126.7k - $144k/yr

No H1B Sponsorship

Pasadena, CA, USA

In Person

US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
QA & Testing (1)
Required Skills
LLM
Python
Git
Java
Cybersecurity
JIRA
Risk Management
Penetration Testing
C/C++
FPGA
Linux/Unix

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Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Cyber Defense, Mathematics, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar technical discipline with typically a minimum of 6 years of related experience; a master's degree in similar disciplines with 4 years of related experience; or a PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 2 years of related experience, including requirements analysis, design, coding, configuration management, integration, and testing.
  • Knowledge of the JPL Problem Reporting System and Problem Failure Reports.
  • Knowledge of NASA Software Assurance and Software Safety Standard 8739.8, NASA Software Engineering Requirements NPR 7150.2, JPL Software Development Requirements, JPL Safety and Mission Assurance Requirements, JPL Flight Project Practices, and JPL Design Principles.
  • Experience programming in C, C++, Java, and/or Python in a UNIX/Linux or real-time operating system environment such as VxWorks.
  • Experience with software engineering tools such as GitHub and JIRA.
  • Experience costing and managing assurance activities for JPL flight projects.
  • Experience with JPL flight software processes.
  • Experience with JPL risk management for JPL projects.
  • Experience with JPL and NASA quality assurance programs.
  • Experience writing, winning, and working on research proposals.
  • Ability to learn technical knowledge quickly and independently.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • The candidate must be a U.S. citizen with an active Top Secret clearance based on a Single Scope Background Investigation within a five-year scope and must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information access.
Responsibilities
  • Perform high-value Software Quality Assurance Engineering for mission-critical software that is developed or acquired.
  • Plan and cost appropriate Software Assurance activities tailored to a project.
  • Review and assess software development throughout project lifecycles.
  • Work with the Software Quality Assurance Group Supervisor and Leads to improve project software infrastructure, including the processes, systems, and tools that support existing functions and enable new ones.
  • Seek out tools and techniques that improve Software Quality, Reliability, and Safety Engineering performance and enable better risk analysis and early detection of defects and vulnerabilities in the project lifecycle.
  • Explore promising areas of software assurance, including model-based assurance, static code analysis, independent verification of systems, artificial intelligence, large language models, and assurance of software embedded in ASICs and FPGAs.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience assuring JPL project software and system security engineering.
  • Experience with the JPL Project Protection Plan, JPL Project Cybersecurity Management Plan, JPL Project Software Management Plan, JPL Project Configuration Management Plan, and JPL Project Incident Response Plan.
  • Knowledge of Supply Chain Risk Management.
  • Knowledge of the Threat Assessment Process.
  • Knowledge of the Data Protection Process.
  • Experience with software engineering tools such as integrated development environments, compilers, and static analyzers.
  • Experience with penetration testing.
  • Experience with modern systems and software development processes described in the Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI).
  • Capability to analyze modern systems and software requirements, architecture, and test procedures and results.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

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NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) designs, builds, and operates robotic spacecraft and instruments for planetary exploration, Earth science, and space-based astronomy, and develops space technologies. It turns science ideas into missions by having engineers design and test spacecraft, launch them with NASA, and operate missions from mission control using onboard systems and ground data processing to collect science data. JPL stands out as NASA’s primary in-house center for robotic space missions, with a long history and a strong Caltech partnership that supports end-to-end mission delivery. Its goal is to turn scientific investigations into real operating space missions that explore the solar system and Earth, advance technical capabilities, and inspire discovery.

Company Size

5,001-10,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Pasadena, California

Founded

1936

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • FAME deployments run through 2028, extending JPL’s Earth-disaster AI validation window.
  • Mars helicopter rotor tests support larger payloads and more capable aerial science craft.
  • Autonomous onboard processing cuts latency for wildfire, flood, and volcano detection.

What critics are saying

  • Loft Orbital now hosts JPL AI, reducing JPL’s control over deployment layers.
  • Mars helicopter success remains unproven beyond chamber tests and could stall mission funding.
  • Any FAME flight failure through 2028 would damage JPL’s real-time disaster-monitoring credibility.

What makes NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) unique

  • JPL combines deep-space systems engineering with on-orbit AI for Earth and Mars missions.
  • Its GUARDIAN, ASE, and FAME programs prove end-to-end autonomous sensing workflows.
  • JPL pairs spacecraft autonomy with science payload design and mission operations expertise.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Wellness Program

Paid Vacation

Parental Leave

Childcare Support

Flexible Work Hours