Brian Lim serves as the Chief Technologist of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Fabrication and Test (Division 35). Brian wants to stimulate innovations for mission enabling technologies. He is interested in technologies for Additive Manufacturing, Deployable Structures, Design Optimization, Entry/Descent/Landing, Material Science, Mechatronics for Sampling/Mobility/Instruments, Modelling/Simulations, Microelectronics Packaging, Planetary Protection, Contamination Control, Propulsion: Electric & Chemical, Thermal Control: Passive & Active, and V&V Testing for Extreme Environments.

Brian began his career at JPL as a mechanisms engineering intern on the Wide Field Planetary Camera (WFPC) for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Upon graduation, he became the cognizant engineer for WFPC-2 mechanisms for the HST Servicing Mission 1, including the Pickoff Mirror Cover Mechanism used by the STS-61 Space Shuttle Endeavour astronauts during their spacewalk. Brian served as the cognizant engineer for mechanisms on Cassini, Mars Observer, and Terra spacecrafts. He then explored opportunities outside of JPL for 16 years. During this odyssey, Brian gained experiences in a wide variety of industries and disciplines including nanotech, semiconductor, computer systems, software, networking, and internet services for large publicly traded companies and venture capital funded tech startups as an executive in engineering, product management, business development, marketing, and sales. Java software platform, DARPA SIMNET, carbon nanotube transistors, and MEMS sensors are just a few examples of technologies he has worked on commercializing.

Since returning to JPL, Brian has served as the supervisor of the Technology Infusion Group in the Payloads and Small Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering Section. The members of this group have infused technologies for Mars Helicopter and MarCO, conforming landing gear for uncertain surfaces of Europa, life detection instruments for icy moons, and low-cost landing device for Mars exploration. Brian has also served as the supervisor of the Mechatronics and Mechanisms/Mobility Groups, Technology Development Manager for Starshade, and as the Principal Investigator of the Planetary Landing Testbed (PLT). The PLT has supported technology development for lander vision systems, asteroid capture mechanism, comet surface sample return, Mars landers, and Earth entry vehicles.

MS, Engineering and Management, MIT

BS, Mechanical Engineering, MIT

• Additive Manufacturing
• Contamination Control
• Deployable Structures
• Design Optimization
• Entry/Descent/Landing
• Material Science
• Mechatronics for Sampling/Mobility/Instruments
• Modelling/Simulations
• Microelectronics Packaging
• Planetary Protection
• Propulsion: Electric & Chemical
• Thermal Control: Passive & Active
• V&V Testing for Extreme Environments

• Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing  | Additive Manufacturing, Multifunctional Systems
• Robotic Systems  | Manipulation And Sampling Systems
• Propulsion Systems  | Novel In-Space Propulsion Technologies
• Thermal Management Systems  | Thermal Control Components And Systems
• Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing  | Smart And Novel Materials/Processes

• generative design  
• multi-functional structures  
• mechatronics  
• additive manufacturing