Aerospace Jobs in California

Aerospace Engineer 2 (5221C), Space Sciences Laboratory #89688 About Berkeley

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Departmental Overview

The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space-related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

Position Summary

The Aerospace Engineer 2 position requires an equipment, vacuum and test engineer with experience in the development, maintenance and testing of cosmic-chemistry, gamma-ray and ultra-violet instrumentation. The role consists of engineering design and development for ground support and space-flight mission objectives (e.g., vacuum test chambers, U-V light sources and detectors, ultra-sensitive chemistry instruments, ultra-high vacuum leak detection), for space-flight instrument deliverables, and high energy astrophysics experiments.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is November 24, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Support space instrumentation and technology development. Design components/systems, organize and output work products, planning, and organizational activities.
Implement electrical, opto-mechanical, and software solutions in support of instrument design and evaluation.
Assemble and test instrumentation in support of space flight research and development. Carry out detailed test of components and systems, troubleshoot electronics systems as required, perform tests, data aggregation, reduction, and analysis.
Gather and analyze information, prepare trade studies, generate reports with respect to feasibility and engineering design criteria, as well as component/instrument performance.
Coordinate with internal and external organizations in support of the development of
component/system-specification, component fabrication, test equipment support, etc.
Coordination and supervision of tasks, provide guidance and support research-based learning for lower-level staff and students
Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Working skills in the design, development, and construction of space systems, including one successful aerospace product.
Specialist in at least one discipline (chemical, electrical, software, or mechanical). Proficiency in related Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems (e.g., Altium, Zemax Opticstudio, Solidworks, or any other relevant software).
Working systems knowledge of other engineering specialties involved in assignments. Understanding of system design principles, methodical approach to space flight instrument design and realization, infer from requirements, standards, specifications, etc.
Familiarity with clean-room activities, UHV systems, control systems, micro/nano fabrication processes and techniques.
Ability to develop analytical models, analyze data, implement routines in software (i.e. Matlab, Python, etc.)
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing effectively. Ability to interface with various institutions and disciplines to accomplish project goals and meet requirements.

Education / Training

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training. (Required)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $106,680.00 - $125,000.00. The full pay scale for this classification is $106,680.00 - $199,290.00.

This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
This is a full-time [40 hours/week] Career position eligible for full UC benefits.