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.

Join DesignLab at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and shape the content of the web and graphic products we create in support of our community and of our mandate to explore Earth, our solar system, and the universe.

Our web and graphics team seeks an eager, curious, and experienced editor and writer, highly skilled in reviewing and creating content specific to websites and other digital and print graphic products. The successful candidate will work closely with customers and our designers to ensure all content is relevant, organized, and efficiently presented. Do you find yourself mentally editing websites with wordy, repetitive and disorganized content? This position is for you.

The Lab is made up of thousands of scientists, engineers, business, and support staff. Creating compelling, concise, and effective communication content for this diverse community will be your goal. You will focus on articulating personnel and facilities capabilities, program and project objectives, and enterprise engagement in support of mission and exploration success.

Candidates must have a strong editorial background, and a proven ability to interface with customers and developers, to maintain a content-centered focus, and to manage and meet deadlines. The successful candidate will demonstrate aptitude in project coordination from a content-first mindset. In addition, you will represent the user and their content needs during discussions of potential new features or platforms under consideration by the team.

While a science or technology background is not required, you must be curious and interested when speaking with our world-leading experts in space exploration, while possessing a desire to translate complex ideas and concepts into clear, concise reads for the Lab's diverse audience.

Responsibilities

Edit and create text content in alignment with audience needs and institutional strategic priorities

Review submitted content for relevance, accuracy, appropriateness and brevity

Represent the voice of the user during product planning

Collaborate with stakeholders to create effective user experiences

Serve as a customer point of contact throughout the project lifecycle

Manage multiple simultaneous projects

Skills and Experience (Qualifications)

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: journalism, communications, science and/or technical writing, or computer science or graphic design discipline with the equivalent of a minor in journalism—along with 3-5 years of related experience.

Excellent written and oral communications skills

Excellent interview and interpersonal skills

Ability to effectively communicate with developers and articulate technical topics

Experience creating sitemaps, content hierarchies, and user flows

Experience writing long form and short form digital content

Fluency in AP Style and high standards for proofing and editing content

Experience working directly with clients in technical fields

Understanding of SEO concepts and tools, including exposure to technical SEO

Experience working in content management systems

Background in the public sector or regulated industries (preferred)

Background working in an agency environment (preferred)

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. Hiring range for this job may be adjusted based on primary work location outside of Pasadena, California. This adjusted range will be provided to candidates by the Recruiter when applicable.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

$71,032 - $87,984

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.

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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 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.