NASA Wallops Island jobs in 2026: sounding rockets, small launch vehicles, and how to get hired
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia's Eastern Shore launched over 16,000 sounding rockets since it opened in 1945 and now hosts Rocket Lab Electron launches from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Launch Complex 2. With Northrop Grumman's Antares replacement vehicle coming online and growing demand for small-sat orbital access, Wallops is expanding its launch cadence and workforce heading into 2026.
Here is a complete guide to the types of jobs at Wallops, who hires there, salary ranges, and how to apply.
What happens at Wallops Flight Facility
Wallops is a Goddard Space Flight Center subinstallation that serves three primary missions:
Suborbital research programs. Wallops manages NASA's Sounding Rockets Program Office, which conducts 15-20 sounding rocket launches per year from Wallops Island and remote sites (Poker Flat Alaska, Andoya Norway, Kwajalein). These missions carry science payloads to the upper atmosphere and near-space for 5-20 minutes of microgravity or observation time. Sounding rockets use solid-fuel motors (Black Brant, Terrier-Improved Malemute) and require mechanical, electrical, and telemetry technicians for assembly and launch operations.
Scientific balloon flights. The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility, managed by Wallops, launches stratospheric balloons for astrophysics, atmospheric science, and technology demonstration missions. Balloon payloads can weigh up to 8,000 pounds and reach altitudes of 130,000 feet.
Commercial launch support. The MARS complex at Wallops includes Pad 0A (Northrop Grumman Antares/CRS missions to the International Space Station) and Launch Complex 2 (Rocket Lab Electron). Wallops provides range safety, tracking, and launch infrastructure support for these commercial operations.
Job categories and roles available
| Category | Typical Roles | Employer | Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Operations | Launch director, range safety officer, countdown engineer | NASA civil service | Secret (some) |
| Mechanical/Electrical | Rocket assembly tech, payload integration tech, ground systems mechanic | KBR, Jacobs, Peraton | None to Secret |
| Telemetry & Data | Radar operator, telemetry engineer, data acquisition specialist | NASA / contractor | Secret |
| Range Safety | Flight safety analyst, destruct system engineer, debris analyst | NASA civil service | Secret |
| Facilities & Infrastructure | Electrician, HVAC tech, pad systems tech, crane operator | Contractor (AECOM, Jacobs) | None |
| Engineering | Mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, systems engineer | NASA / KBR / SSAI | None to Secret |
| IT & Communications | Network engineer, RF engineer, comm systems tech | Peraton, KBR | Secret |
| Administrative | Budget analyst, contracting officer, project coordinator | NASA civil service | None |
About 300 of Wallops' 1,100 workers are NASA civil servants hired through USAJobs.gov. The remaining 800 work for contractors including KBR (engineering and mission support), Jacobs (facilities and technical services), Peraton (IT and range systems), and SSAI (science support). Contractor positions are posted on company career sites and typically hire faster than civil service roles. Many people start as contractors and convert to civil service when positions open.
Salary ranges at Wallops
NASA civil service (GS scale, Washington-Baltimore-Arlington locality, 2026)
| Grade | Step 1 | Step 5 | Step 10 | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GS-5 | $42,429 | $46,882 | $52,604 | Technician trainee, admin assistant |
| GS-7 | $47,397 | $52,375 | $58,759 | Entry engineer, junior technician |
| GS-9 | $53,014 | $58,603 | $65,744 | Engineer (BS+2yr), mid technician |
| GS-11 | $59,319 | $65,571 | $73,558 | Journey engineer, senior technician |
| GS-12 | $71,099 | $78,585 | $88,170 | Senior engineer, project lead |
| GS-13 | $84,546 | $93,451 | $104,862 | Branch manager, senior specialist |
| GS-14 | $99,908 | $110,453 | $123,912 | Division chief, senior program manager |
| GS-15 | $117,518 | $129,885 | $145,766 | Director, senior executive roles |
Wallops falls under the Washington-Baltimore-Arlington locality pay area, which adds approximately 34% above base GS pay. This is a significant advantage compared to other NASA centers in lower-locality areas.
Contractor salaries at Wallops
| Role | Entry | Mid-Career | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Technician | $45K-$55K | $55K-$72K | $72K-$88K |
| Electrical Technician | $48K-$58K | $58K-$75K | $75K-$92K |
| Launch Operations Engineer | $65K-$80K | $80K-$105K | $105K-$130K |
| Range Safety Analyst | $70K-$85K | $85K-$110K | $110K-$135K |
| Systems Engineer | $72K-$90K | $90K-$115K | $115K-$140K |
| IT/Network Engineer | $65K-$78K | $78K-$100K | $100K-$125K |
| Facilities Technician | $40K-$50K | $50K-$65K | $65K-$80K |
Contractor salaries at Wallops are lower than comparable positions at larger NASA centers (JSC, GSFC main campus) or commercial space companies, but the low cost of living on Virginia's Eastern Shore partially offsets this gap. Housing costs in the Chincoteague-Accomack area are 40-60% below the national average.
Wallops' location on the Eastern Shore of Virginia means significantly lower housing costs. The median home price in Accomack County is approximately $190K, compared to $550K+ in the DC metro area where Goddard Space Flight Center is located. A GS-12 salary at Wallops provides considerably more purchasing power than the same grade at GSFC, even though both receive the same locality adjustment.
Major employers at Wallops
NASA (civil service) hires directly through USAJobs.gov. Positions include engineers, scientists, range safety analysts, and administrative staff. Civil service openings at Wallops appear under the Goddard Space Flight Center umbrella. Search for duty station "Wallops Island, VA" on USAJobs.
KBR is the primary engineering and mission support contractor. KBR employees at Wallops work on sounding rocket assembly, launch operations, payload integration, and flight safety analysis. KBR posts Wallops positions on its careers site under the Science and Space division.
Jacobs (now Amentum) provides facilities maintenance, technical services, and institutional support. Jacobs employees maintain launch pads, ground equipment, buildings, and utility systems across the Wallops complex.
Peraton manages range IT systems, radar operations, and communications networks. Peraton employees operate the tracking radars, telemetry systems, and data acquisition equipment used during launch operations.
SSAI (Science Systems and Applications Inc.) supports Wallops' science missions, providing research scientists, data analysts, and mission planning support for sounding rocket and balloon campaigns.
Rocket Lab operates Launch Complex 2 at MARS and hires launch operations technicians, pad engineers, and mission managers based at Wallops. These positions are posted on Rocket Lab's careers page.
How to apply for Wallops positions
For NASA civil service roles:
- Create a USAJobs.gov account with a complete resume in the federal resume format (much more detailed than a private-sector resume)
- Search for positions with duty station "Wallops Island, VA" or organization "Goddard Space Flight Center"
- Apply during the open period (many postings are open for only 5-10 business days)
- Complete any required questionnaires and upload supporting documents (transcripts, DD-214 for veterans)
- Wait for HR to rate and rank applications (4-12 weeks typical)
For contractor roles:
- Monitor career sites for KBR, Jacobs/Amentum, Peraton, SSAI, and Rocket Lab
- Apply directly through the contractor's portal
- Contractor hiring is faster (2-6 weeks) than civil service
- Many contractors at Wallops hire through local networking and referrals
Wallops has a high concentration of military veterans, particularly from Navy and Air Force backgrounds. Veterans with 5-point or 10-point preference receive significant advantages in the civil service hiring process. Prior military experience with rocket or missile systems, range operations, radar, or explosive ordnance translates directly to Wallops positions.
Living and working on Virginia's Eastern Shore
Wallops Flight Facility is located on the coast of the Delmarva Peninsula, about 5 miles from Chincoteague Island and 170 miles southeast of Washington DC. The area is rural with a small-town character that is a significant departure from the suburban environments surrounding most NASA centers.
Housing. Most Wallops employees live in the Chincoteague, Accomack, or Onley areas. Rental apartments run $800-$1,200/month. Home purchases are available from $150K-$300K for a single-family home. Some employees commute from Salisbury MD (45 minutes) or the Norfolk-Virginia Beach area (90 minutes) for more amenities.
Commute. Traffic is minimal. Most employees have a 10-25 minute commute. This is a significant quality of life advantage compared to the 45-90 minute commutes common at JSC, GSFC, or JPL.
Lifestyle. The area offers beaches, nature preserves (Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge), fishing, and the famous Chincoteague pony swim. Dining and entertainment options are limited compared to urban areas. The nearest major city is Norfolk VA (2 hours) or the DC metro area (3 hours).
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs are available at NASA Wallops in 2026?
Wallops supports approximately 1,100 workers total (300 civil service, 800 contractor). Turnover creates 50-100 openings per year across all employers. The expansion of commercial launch operations at MARS is adding positions in launch operations, range safety, and pad maintenance.
Do I need a security clearance to work at Wallops?
Not all positions require clearances. Facilities maintenance, some technician roles, and administrative positions may not require any clearance. However, roles involving launch operations, range safety, telemetry, and IT systems typically require at least a Secret clearance due to range safety data and tracking system access.
Can I work at Wallops without a college degree?
Yes. Technician roles (mechanical, electrical, facilities) often accept candidates with associate degrees, trade school certificates, or relevant military experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree. Skilled trades positions (electricians, HVAC technicians, machinists) hire based on certifications and experience.
What is the career progression at Wallops?
Contractor technicians can advance to lead tech, supervisor, and program management roles. Civil servants progress through the GS scale, typically moving from GS-7/9 to GS-12/13 over 5-10 years. Some employees transfer to GSFC main campus or other NASA centers for broader opportunities. The Wallops-to-GSFC pipeline is well established since both are part of the same center.
Does Wallops hire remote workers?
Very few positions at Wallops can be performed remotely. Launch operations, hardware assembly, range operations, and facilities maintenance are inherently on-site. Some engineering analysis, IT administration, and administrative roles may offer partial telework (1-2 days per week), but full remote work is uncommon.
What makes Wallops different from other NASA centers?
Wallops is NASA's most launch-active facility by number of launches per year, but with smaller vehicles and faster turnaround times than KSC. Engineers and technicians at Wallops get hands-on experience across the full launch lifecycle (payload integration, countdown, launch, recovery) much faster than at centers focused on large orbital vehicles. The smaller workforce means less bureaucracy and more individual responsibility. A junior engineer at Wallops might lead a sounding rocket mission within their first two years, which would take much longer at a larger center.
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