NASA Jobs in 2026: Open Roles & Application Guide

Working on NASA programs involves direct civil service positions at NASA facilities, research roles at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and engineering positions across commercial space providers and defense contractors. Across the industry, 1,140 open roles currently support NASA programs, human spaceflight initiatives, planetary exploration, and satellite payloads.

Securing a position requires understanding where work happens, how responsibilities vary across prime contractors and government centers, and what salaries compensation packages offer across experience levels.

Pay Ranges for NASA and Partner Programs

Salaries for roles tied to NASA programs range from entry-level engineering rates to executive management compensation:

• Entry-level engineering: Roles at JPL, such as the Flight Software Engineer I ($96,616 to $117,104) and Robotics Systems Engineer I ($102,232 to $123,136), establish base compensation for early-career technical hires.
• Mid-level and senior technical roles: Mid-career positions pay between $100,000 and $230,000 per year. For example, Human Spaceflight Systems Engineer positions at The Aerospace Corporation pay $100,300 to $175,900, while a Parachute Systems Engineer ranges from $151,300 to $226,900. Direct civil service positions, such as the Research Materials Engineer, AST, Aerospace Materials role at NASA in New Jersey, offer $117,284 to $152,471.
• Program management and leadership: Executive and division lead positions reach up to $402,000. The General Manager - NASA Programs Division (NPD) role at The Aerospace Corporation pays between $268,000 and $402,000 per year.

Engineering and Technical Roles

Engineering roles make up the majority of open opportunities on NASA-related programs. These roles cover flight dynamics, software, life support, payload integration, and structural design.

Systems Engineering and Mission Assurance

Systems engineers tie together hardware, software, and operational requirements. Companies supporting NASA lunar and orbital platforms require systems leads at multiple levels. Firefly Aerospace lists stepped technical tracks including Spacecraft Systems Engineer II, Spacecraft Systems Engineer III, and Spacecraft Systems Engineer IV.

Mission assurance specialists ensure components meet strict spaceflight standards. CesiumAstro hires for this function through roles like the Staff Mission Assurance Engineer in Westminster, CO ($136,000 to $167,000) and another Staff Mission Assurance Engineer position in Austin, TX.

Human Spaceflight and Environmental Control

Human spaceflight requires specialized engineering in life support systems, crew safety, and capsule architecture. Axiom Space hires engineers to develop commercial space station modules and suits, including the Life Support Systems (LSS) Mechanical Engineer in Houston. The Aerospace Corporation provides technical oversight for crewed launches through roles like Human Spaceflight Engineer ($86,600 to $129,800).

For heavy-lift and lunar programs, Blue Origin recruits senior technical leads such as the Sr Lunar Systems Engineer, Engines Integration Lead ($133,500 to $186,899) and Senior Systems Engineer - Technical Program Lead ($133,500 to $186,898.95).

Defense and Special Programs

Defense contractors supporting space architecture also hire senior engineers for specialized hardware. Anduril Industries recruits for the Principal Mechanical Engineer, Space Special Programs in Chantilly, VA, offering $222,000 to $292,000 per year.

Program Management and Proposal Leadership

Managing complex government programs requires professionals who understand federal acquisition, systems engineering management, and proposal development.

Blue Origin recruits capture leads to secure major agency contracts, such as the Capture & Proposals Lead, New Glenn NASA Programs ($145,188 to $203,263). The Aerospace Corporation hires program managers to oversee flight readiness and policy evolution, including the Human Spaceflight Project Manager ($107,000 to $160,500) and the Space Enterprise Evolution Senior Project Lead ($155,900 to $233,900).

Payload integration teams also seek leads like the Senior Payload Systems Engineer at Vantor ($109,000 to $159,500).

Work Locations and Work Modes

Work on NASA initiatives takes place primarily near NASA centers and key aerospace hubs:

• Houston, Texas (Johnson Space Center): Focuses on human spaceflight operations, life support systems, and station logistics.
• Southern California (JPL and El Segundo): Hosts robotic planetary exploration programs, satellite engineering, and parachute systems development.
• Washington D.C. / Virginia (Chantilly and Crystal City): Centers on agency program oversight, policy, and defense-space integration.
• Colorado (Westminster, Longmont, Denver): Hosts payload engineering, mission assurance, and systems integration.

Most hardware and mission roles operate fully onsite due to laboratory requirements and secure facility access. Select management and systems architecture roles permit hybrid arrangements.

Open NASA and Partner Roles

See every open role on Zero G Talent.