r/NASAJobs

Hi everyone I am in the middle of a huge transition of my life and I want to change everything. Also I am approaching 40 and I am getting scared.

I currently work in retail been working for 18 years but I dont want to do Retail anymore. I am exhausted and tired of it. I want to go for my passion and my career which is Aerospace/ Defense and want to work for NASA, DoD Space. To build and launch Rockets, fighter jets. To work on the Space Coast FL but I am open to Alabama, Texas and California.

I currently have a masters degree in STEM, I am an AIAA member along with being a member of the Florida Engineering Society. And I do go to SpaceCom in Orlando. I was there this year.

The thing is I am applying and I had about 20 or so interviews with Boeing, Northrop, Jacobs/ Amentum but they said I have great qualifications but that they went with someone else? Which it defeats me alot, its like I am always losing?

I know I am nontraditional but I think NASA hires for many departments or I could be wrong?

I dont know what to do, how am I going to deal with? I dont know to take out more student loans or what exactly?

Also not sure if this is the right place for this or not?

hi, everyone!! I recently accepted an OSTEM internship position at NASA JSC this summer, and I’m very excited for it! working for NASA is a dream position of mine, and I very much would want to continue after graduating later this year. I’ve heard that Pathways is the only surefire way to get hired after an internship though, so has anyone been able to land a job at NASA after OSTEM (preferably in the same department, but I’d love to hear your experience regardless)? how was the job application process for you/are there any skills or experiences that they’re looking for from former interns that you’d suggest highlighting?

basically, what are the chances you’d hear back from NASA after doing an OSTEM internship, if you really wanted a job there? really appreciate your insight on this!

I feel like my qualifications are just barely average compared to others my age. I’m looking into doing a masters in a year or two. I do really want to try my best to get an internship at NASA.

I graduated with a Bachelors in CS last year but I struggled my last 2 years and don’t have any strong extracurriculars or research work. I currently work a 9-5 desk job. I’ve been emailing around my local universities to see if anyone would be willing to let me do research.

I want to do it over this time and give it my all. Does anyone else have a similar experience?

^title. I'm curious as to what kind of jobs engineers with a PhD can get working in the space industry (specifically NASA).

I’m an Aerospace Engineering PhD student specializing in Guidance, Navigation, and Controls. I recently accepted a NASA Pathways position in the Research Directorate, and I was just invited to interview for another Pathways position in the Flight Ops Directorate.

I know it’s probably too late for me to move forward with the Flight Ops interview, so this question is mostly out of curiosity and thinking about my long-term career trajectory.

I’ve always thought of GNC as being more focused on vehicle and mission design, while Flight Ops covers everything that happens after launch. So what would the role of a GNC engineer look like within the Flight Ops Directorate?

To start, I am currently am 23 years old, and turning 24 in the summer. I always wanted to work at NASA since I was a kid, and majored in computer science in TAMU to hopefully make it there one day. But unfortunate events happened within my first year of college that made me drop out (mom lost job, some long term personal relationships ended) which resulted in me having a mental episode and dropping out, then I eventually worked full time to support my immediate family. I worked as an IT systems engineer for a company for about 3 years, before getting laid off due to a shortage of work. And then made the personal decision to move in with my aunt in LA to find a better paying job, and get back into school while working. I would want to major in electrical engineering, and waiting on my 1 year and 1 day rule to enroll into classes again at a community college here and hopefully transfer to a good university, while working full time. I already made the decision to finish school and plan on finishing it, even if it means I might have to stop working at some point and take out loans to focus on school full-time. I wanted to ask if anyone else in this subreddit has done the same or something similar and managed to land a job at NASA?

Well, I gotta be honest, I didn’t expect to make it this far. My application was referred to the hiring manager for the NASA Force GS-14 position in the 0861 Aerospace Engineering job family. Anything I should keep in mind or prep for moving forward?

hi, i'm a science major contemplating doing an internship and possible research for NASA. My interest is varied from cubesats, building modules and satellites, to deep space and climate science—i tend to be a jack of all trades in terms of my interests in STEM and i like to do a variety of different things.

knowing the history and how NASA is pretty much intermarried with the defense industry and with the current administration, i'm concerned about my work being allocated to defense or being placed to work with department of homeland security.

I'm a conscientious objector when it comes to war and i don't believe in building weapons or using them for harm to innocent lives. i saw it happen to a few colleagues of mine with the federal government restructuring branches and departments, with some of FEMA being allocated to build and plan detention centers for ICE.

i want to know if there's a way to work within the field and this organization, and avoid manufacturing weapons or having my research be used to do so, and if there's jobs that deal more with the space side of things and not so much with the defense industry. I've seen some good opportunities for climate science and outreach to schools, but i feel kinda deflated when i'm seeing defense/DOD contractors clamoring for people while at NASA and ostem job fairs.

Hello! First time post here. I am currently in my final year of art school, I've always had a fascination and love for space and science, and I would’ve gone into astro related studies if I didn't suck so bad at math.(lol) Anyways, I was wondering if there is any career paths that could join the two? I have will have my BFA next April.

Thanks in advance

For NASA, how long does it typically take between being referred to the hiring manager and a potential interview?

I ask because I was referred to the hiring manager and just looking to typical experience and timelines.

I believe there are some HR or other workers with experience lurking in this sub who might be able to help answer this question.

How much does the ABET accreditation matter? Would it be a dealbreaker?

For more context, I want to apply for NASA after military service. I‘ll have 15 years of job performance with flying experience. My undergrad is Aeronautics from ERAU, which the AST guide specifically states doesn’t count. I‘m currently pursuing a graduate in Systems Engineering from ERAU which lacks the ABET accreditation, so I’m considering switching to JHU since it’s accredited.

The limiting factor is JHU is considerable more expensive for the same degree title with an ABET accreditation. So realistically would it matter if I received my grad degree from ERAU with significant job experience? or would I absolutely must have the ABET accreditation? Thank you for reading and look forward to your responses.

I was offered an entry level position with a contractor at KSC for Artemis. The salary they offered is 71k. That seems somewhat low, so I am curious what other contractors are making.

I am basing the "low" argument on the typical GS promotion cycle and relatively weak benefits compared to civil servants and manufacturers like Boeing. Civil servant pay seems to start at roughly the same amount, but quickly beats the contractor pay. That, combined with their benefits, means that they do have an overall better compensation package.

They said decisions would be out by May 8th, still have yet to receive anything 🤞.

I recently applied to a IT specialist position via USA jobs and I’m currently working for a contractor that supports NASA. I’ve been a contractor since 2022. The job I have now ,is not really IT related but more of data management for aircraft. Before, I was working as IT customer service representative. I want to know do I really have a real chance at getting hired directly with nasa ? It states on the job announcement they are currently reviewing applications now. My background is completely IT support / customer support related and I have a Bachelor degree in computer science and a masters in Information Technology Management. Plus I did check my degrees are accredited.

Hi,

A little background about myself. 27M, PM&R resident outside of the USA with dual citizenship. Will complete my training at about 30.

I have been interested in space medicine and is willing to pursue a masters degree or higher in space medicine or other relevant fields. Starting residency over again in the US is less preferred, meaning that I will likely be a foreign trained MD of PM&R with higher education in space medicine.

The question is, are there any jobs in the industry that are suitable, given my background? NASA jobs or private companies jobs are welcomed. And what I could do to further strengthen my resume?

Thanks in advance

Hello everyone! I've been working at my current company for almost a decade. I am now going to be in my mid 30s and I feel like I've been needing a change in my life. I decided to apply to a job at JPL. Things like the job market and hiring strategies have certainly changed since I've last applied for any job. Im hoping anyone out there that have more experience with today's hiring processes could give some tips? Applying for NASA seems like a pipedream but i wanna shoot my shot. What else could I do to stand out besides my work experience? Thanks in advance for any feedback you may have.

Community planning with the federal government is a very niche role but was just curious if anyone here does it or knows of someone who does. I’d be curious to know what they do and if there’s any signs of future positions!

at what point in my schooling should i stop smoking and try for an intership? i imagine they’ll do a background check and see i’ve had a med card in past and drug test? i came into this fully knowing id have to quit eventually. are they going to background check for an internship? are they going to drug test? i start my freshmen year for my pre engineering major june 1st, do i wait till junior year to apply for internships?

Hello everyone,

I'm 17 years old, I'm French, I'm currently in 11th grade (year 12) and I'm hesitating between 2 demanding careers :

1. Medicine (military or not)
2. Aviation (military or not too) with an engineering degree before that (like in ISAE-Supaero)

I love sciences (maths, physics, aerospace engineering, and medicine / biology). My English is quite bad so I need to work on it. I also love doing sport (gym, biking, boxing, calisthenics, swimming, running...).

I need your advice to choose the best way to maximize my chances to be able to apply in a space agency (ESA or NASA). Keep in mind that I know it is a really really long and competitive career, and if I don't succeed I'll be happy being a pilot or a doctor (assuming I become one...).

I have plenty of time this summer to work on some areas I need to improve such as English and Sciences. I really want to build something consistent, a long term discipline over years.

Thank you for your help !

I got referred to the mechanical pathways internships , but im not sure what they’re looking for. I’m a mechanical engineer that programs robotics and controls, so im not sure if I even have the skills they’re looking for?

One of my internships literally says CS intern, but it’s for robotics programming???

For context I got referred to Edward’s AFB, Houston, and Cleveland.