Jordan P. Evans

As an Aerospace Engineer, Jordan P. Evans has successfully faced the challenges of the design, development, and leadership of complex space systems that range from UV telescopes to gravitational wave detectors and from the Hubble Space Telescope instruments to the Curiosity Rover on Mars. For his work on the Mars Science Lab Curiosity Project, Evans received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, one of our nation’s highest civilian honors.

Regularly called upon to lead the investigation of mission-impacting problems, Evans brings a healthy mix of technical experience, leadership skills, and humor to otherwise uncomfortable situations and has received numerous awards for his leadership and ability to balance risk effectively. Evans is currently responsible for leading the team developing a mission to explore Jupiter’s ocean moon, Europa. This exciting, flagship NASA mission will carry a suite of eight cutting-edge scientific instruments to explore Europa, widely regarded as the most likely place in the solar system beyond Earth to have life.

Previously, Evans led the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's engineering and science workforce as it accomplished the full spectrum of science and engineering challenges from fundamental research through development of the next generation of advanced robotic systems for the exploration of our universe, such as the Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Evans has shared his experiences with the national and international media and as a speaker at numerous conferences, including TEDx. Additionally, Evans participates with the National Academy of Sciences’ "Science & Entertainment Exchange" and serves as a science consultant for major motion pictures and television shows. An accomplished jazz musician, Evans regularly performs with big bands and small jazz ensembles in the Southern California area. He is married with two children and resides in La Crescenta, California.