Data Scientist II

JPL/NASA is seeking a Data Scientist II for the Artificial Intelligence Group to deliver research and software solutions for spacecraft autonomy and mission operations.

Responsibilities

• Build planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and execution algorithms for autonomous systems that interpret complex state, resource, constraint, and event data to support mission goals.
• Develop and apply search-based and constraint-based methods, including satisfaction and optimization systems, for large-scale planning and resource allocation problems.
• Create software to represent and reason about complex geometric and operations constraints used in observation planning.
• Contribute to broader team efforts focused on automation and resource allocation.

Requirements

• Education and experience alignment:
  • Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline with minimum 3 years of related work experience
  • Master’s degree in similar disciplines with minimum 1 year of related work experience
  • PhD in similar disciplines with 0 years of related work experience
• Broad knowledge in one or more related areas: software development, artificial intelligence, operations research, and resource allocation mechanisms.
• Experience applying programming principles and techniques in languages including, in order of preference: Rust, C++, C, Python, and Java.
• Background in Artificial Intelligence and/or Operations research supported by software artifacts that have been built and tested.

Tools & Technologies

• Rust
• C++
• C
• Python
• Java

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Learning
• Rideshare
• Childcare
• Flexible schedule
• Parental leave
• Work-life balance focus
• Benefits effective the first day of the month coinciding with or immediately following the employee’s start date

Preferred Skills

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

Security Clearance

• Must have an active Top Secret (TS) clearance based upon Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) within a 5-year scope.
• Must be approved for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.

Location

• Pasadena, CA (onsite)

Compensation

• USD 122,720 - 135,512 per year (hiring range specific to those who will work in or reside in Pasadena, CA)

Minimum Qualifications at a Glance

• 3 years related work experience (with a Bachelor’s degree)
• Eligible education/work experience alternatives for Master’s and PhD noted above
• Active TS clearance (SSBI within the past 5 years) with SCI approval