Contract Probabilistic Risk Analysis Engineer Jobs in Illinois

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.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Schedule Analyst (PSA) to serve as a technical authority in advanced schedule analysis and risk-informed planning, supporting complex flight programs and projects in Earth Science and Planetary Science (e.g., Mars, Europa). This role requires demonstrated expertise in advanced schedule analysis techniques, probabilistic risk modeling, and the ability to develop, package, and present data-driven results that clearly inform project, program, and institutional decision-making.

In This Role, You Will:

• Serve as the lead scheduling and schedule risk authority for complex technical and flight projects.

• Develop, integrate and maintain the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) in alignment with technical scope and cost baselines.

• Ensure logical integrity, traceability, and compliance with institutional governance, Earned Value Management (EVM) requirements, and baseline control standards.

• Perform advanced deterministic and probabilistic schedule analyses, including critical and near-critical path evaluation, float consumption trending, logic quality assessment, schedule realism validation, and what-if scenario modeling.

• Lead development and execution of independent Schedule Risk Assessments (SRA) and Institutional Joint Confidence Level (I-JCL) analyses.

• Produce risk-loaded schedules, confidence-level dates (P50/P70), cumulative probability curves, sensitivity (tornado) charts, scatter plots, margin adequacy assessments, and quantified schedule risk drivers to support Agency commitments and decision authority determinations.

• Demonstrate expertise using Acumen Fuse to develop, maintain, trend, and interpret schedule health metrics, performance indicators, and predictive analytics. Translate these metrics into actionable insights that inform independent evaluation conclusions and execution strategy recommendations.

• Build and analyze complex risk models, evaluate sensitivity drivers, and assess schedule margin adequacy by using Acumen Fuse, SSI Tools, and Primavera Risk Analysis (PRA) (or equivalent Monte Carlo-based probabilistic schedule risk tools).

• Integrate cost, schedule, and technical performance data to generate risk-informed forecasts and Estimate at Complete (EAC) insights.

• Conduct comprehensive subcontractor schedule integration and credibility assessments, evaluating interface dependencies, critical hardware/software delivery paths, execution risk exposure, and alignment between subcontractor and prime baselines.

• Demonstrate exceptional analytical rigor and executive presentation capability-synthesizing complex modeling outputs, performance trends, and probabilistic results into a clear, structured, and data-driven narrative.

• Develop executive-quality briefings that convey independent assessment findings, execution status, risk drivers, confidence levels, trade-offs, and recommended mitigation strategies in senior leadership and decision forums.

• Champion best practices in advanced schedule analysis, probabilistic modeling, and quantitative decision support while mentoring junior analysts and strengthening institutional independent assessment capability.

Required Qualifications:

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering, business administration or similar discipline with a minimum of 12 years of related experience; or Master's degree in similar discipline with a minimum of 10 years of related experience years; or PhD in similar discipline with a minimum of 8 years of related experience.

• Extensive experience preparing and delivering independent schedule and cost assessments to support institutional reviews, governance boards, and Key Decision Points (KDPs).

• Demonstrated hands-on experience developing analysis schedules, performing Schedule Risk Assessments (SRAs) and Institutional Joint Confidence Level (I-JCL) on complex technical projects.

• Demonstrated expertise using Acumen Fuse to develop, maintain, and analyze schedule performance metrics, trend data, and predictive indicators, and to effectively communicate findings through executive-level briefings and decision forums.

• Proven proficiency using Acumen Fuse, SSI Tools, and Primavera Risk Analysis (PRA) (or equivalent probabilistic schedule risk tools).

• Strong expertise in advanced schedule analysis techniques, including critical path analysis, logic quality assessment, sensitivity analysis, and probabilistic modeling.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, interpret, and present data-driven analytical results to technical and senior leadership audiences.

• Strong experience supporting flight projects, with emphasis on implementation phases and execution-focused analysis.

• Extensive experience with what-if scenario development, mitigation planning, earned value performance measurement, and integrated cost/schedule analysis.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, including the ability to develop executive-quality briefings that tell a clear, compelling story using complex analytical results, supported by strong skills in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project Professional.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including experience briefing risk-informed analytical results to senior leadership.

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn and apply new analytical tools and techniques.

• Minimal travel, based on business requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

.

• Demonstrated experience leading or independently executing formal SRAs and Institutional Joint Confidence Level (I-JCL) in support of project reviews, independent assessments, or Key Decision Points (KDPs).

• Experience integrating SRA and I-JCL results into management decision forums, including schedule margin management, mitigation planning, and risk burn-down strategies.

• Experience supporting or leading Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs) and responding to audit or independent review findings.

• Experience across all phases of the flight project lifecycle, including formulation and early planning phases.

• Experience coordinating with multiple NASA centers and industry partners, integrating multi-institution schedule and risk data into coherent analytical products.

• Experience developing executive dashboards and briefing packages for senior leadership and external stakeholders.

• An active TS/SCI clearance or the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

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.

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.