Not every government agency is a household name, but NASA certainly is.
Sponsored Links
NASA is short for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and it is a highly desirable job for many United States citizens or nationals.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is a federal agency that is actually independent.
It is still part of the United States federal government, though.
It is responsible for the country’s aerospace research and civilian space program.
On July 29th, 1958, NASA was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower through the National Aeronautics and Space Act.
This act was established to combat the Soviet Union’s satellite Sputnik launch, and it heralded the start of the Space Age and subsequent space race between the Soviet Union and the United States.
Sponsored Links
Before NASA, there was NACA, which stands for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
This organization has been researching aeronautics since 1915.
It was absorbed into NASA and its facilities and personnel were used to advance space exploration and aeronautical science.
Throughout its time, NASA has contributed massively to human spaceflight and technological advancements with the Apollo moon landings and many more projects.
According to the organization itself, its aim is to:
“Drive advances in science, technology, and exploration to enhance knowledge, education, innovation, economic vitality, and stewardship of Earth.”
NASA’s primary goal is space exploration.
It organizes and executes both human and robotic missions to explore the unknowns of space.
NASA works to send astronauts to space, create spacecraft and launch systems, and research other planets and celestial bodies in the night sky.
NASA also does quite a lot of aeronautics research to improve aviation and aeronautics technology
It works to build safer and more efficient aircraft, as well as study advanced air traffic management systems.
Furthermore, it researches aerodynamics and the best materials for aviation.
Some work that is less well-known is NASA’s research on Earth science and its climate.
NASA spends a lot of time studying the Earth and its climate systems to work to predict the changes it undergoes.
Data is collected and analyzed concerning the Earth’s atmosphere, land, bodies of water, and ice.
This data is used to better understand the global picture of climate change and natural disasters.
Although NASA is an independent federal agency, it works together with international organizations, other government agencies, and private businesses to complete its goals.
NASA focuses on achieving technological innovation, discovering new things about the world, and exploring the boundaries of space.
There are a variety of unique roles within NASA pertaining to the fields of science, engineering, technology, and even administration.
However, jobs within NASA are quite competitive.
Obviously, the most well-known job at NASA is being an astronaut.
Astronauts are extremely specialized and capable people who travel to space to lead experiments, explore, and perform spacewalks.
Astronauts need to have a rigorous background in science, engineering, or mathematics.
They must also undergo serious physical and medical evaluations.
NASA also employs numerous engineers of various kinds.
Popular engineering roles are aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and software engineering.
These workers help to design and build spacecraft, as well as other instruments crucial to NASA’s operations.
These instruments can include measurement systems and robots.
Mission control specialists are a crucial role at NASA.
These individuals are flight controllers and they work in the mission control center to monitor and guide spacecraft during all missions.
They are crucial to the safety and success of space missions and have to have excellent communication with the astronauts on board.
People who are crucial to NASA but less well-known are project managers.
Project managers have to oversee the entire mission and other programs at NASA.
They deal with the planning, budgeting, scheduling, and execution of these endeavors to ensure the mission objectives are achieved.
These are just a few examples of the roles available at NASA.
There are many more jobs in different sub-fields for which one could apply.
Applying for NASA is very competitive, but the actual application itself is fairly straightforward.
Applicants must first make an account with login.gov and then make an account with USAJOBS.gov.
USAJOBS.gov is a federal website, which has listings of all the open positions at the United States government and its associated agencies.
NASA is included on this website.
Because NASA is a pretty selective workforce, there are just over 35 jobs listed on the site based on data from June 2nd, 2023.
One such job is working as a Program Analyst (Direct Hire) at John Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. It pays a yearly salary of $72,185.
This job is open to the public, so anyone who wants to apply as a United States citizen or national can apply.
However, there are other NASA listings that are restricted to the current federal employees of that agency.
When an applicant chooses a listing, they need to click on the “Apply” button and enter all the required information.
They will likely have to undergo a background check and submit extra documents.
Any documents can be submitted and uploaded through the USA JOBS portal.
After the job posting closes, NASA will review the applications and check that everyone meets the eligibility and qualifications.
If the application is strong, the resume will generally be forwarded to a hiring manager and the applicant will be contacted for an interview.
Interviews can be panel, in-person, or over the phone.
It may also be a virtual meeting.
There may be several interview rounds, so a phone interview could have an in-person interview next.
If the applicant is selected, NASA will contact them to start the job offer process.
They will likely have to undergo security clearance processes.
Although it is independent, NASA is still a federal agency and its employees are considered federal workers.
Therefore, there are some standard benefits that are available.
Federal employees all receive an excellent healthcare plan that provides them with medical, vision, and dental insurance.
Additionally, they get coverage for themselves and for eligible dependents.
Federal employees also have special retirement savings and investing plans, like the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
NASA also gives its employees paid vacation leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
It also offers employee assistance programs (EAPs) to support its employees’ well-being.
EAPs give resources such as confidential counseling and other such support networks
Individual benefits vary based on things like employment status (permanent, temporary, full-time, part-time), service duration, and agency policies.
Workers need to go through official channels to get their specific information.
NASA is the place to work for anyone passionate about the future of space exploration and other aviation endeavors.
There are a little over 35 jobs available right now on USAJOBS.gov.