NASA \ Northrup Grumman
James webb Space Telescope
James Webb Space Telescope
Lead Electrical Systems Engineer
Harness Architecture & Integration
Interface Control Across Agencies
Team leadership
Thermal-Responsive Design Verification
Project Overview / MIssion Objectives
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is NASA’s flagship infrared observatory, designed to peer into the early universe, study exoplanets, and revolutionize our understanding of cosmic formation. Developed as the scientific successor to Hubble, JWST features a 6.5-meter segmented mirror, a sunshield the size of a tennis court, and a suite of cutting-edge instruments—all operating at cryogenic temperatures, nearly a million miles from Earth.
As one of the most complex space systems ever built, JWST demanded an extraordinary level of precision, fault tolerance, and systems integration. Its mission profile—unserviceable and fully autonomous at L2—meant every component had to work the first time. There would be no second chance.
Roles and Responsibilities
I joined the JWST program as the lead electrical systems engineer for the science instrument suite, responsible for integrating power and data systems across multiple international payloads. My work centered on the ISIM (Integrated Science Instrument Module), the nerve center of the observatory.
I led the design and verification of instrument harnessing, interface control, and electrical grounding/isolation strategies. Working alongside NASA Goddard, Northrop Grumman, and European Space Agency teams, I navigated shifting requirements, international coordination, and one-of-a-kind constraints driven by cryogenic operation and deep space deployment.
This role demanded rigorous adherence to Class A flight standards, extreme attention to traceability, and a relentless push for design clarity—especially across languages, standards, and agency cultures.
Legacy
JWST launched in 2021 and is now delivering unprecedented data from across the cosmos. My work lives within its core systems, ensuring stable electrical operation, clean data acquisition, and thermal survivability in a brutally unforgiving environment.
What I carry forward is more than just pride—it’s a mindset. JWST taught me how to lead across continents, translate ambiguity into action, and design systems that not only work, but endure.
Highlight: Instrument Harness Integration & Isolation Design
The ISIM housed four major science instruments: NIRCam, NIRSpec, MIRI, and FGS/NIRISS. Each was developed by a different international partner and had its own electrical, thermal, and grounding philosophies.
My job was to unify these into a single, coherent system—without compromising instrument sensitivity or violating isolation boundaries. This meant:
Designing and routing harnesses to accommodate thermal contraction at cryo temps
Implementing isolation techniques to prevent ground loops and signal degradation
Coordinating with EMI/EMC teams to verify cleanliness in an extremely sensitive environment
Creating interface control documents that balanced flight constraints with instrument needs
The result: a seamless integration that survived vibration testing, thermal vacuum cycles, and ultimately launch and deployment.