NASA Pathways Intern
THE LINK TO THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT CAN BE FOUND ON THE NASA PATHWAYS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM WEBSITE
Summary
This position is in NASA's Pathways Intern Employment Program (IEP) which provides students with opportunities to explore NASA careers and gain meaningful developmental work experience.
To learn more about NASA's Pathways Program, click here: NASA Pathways Internship Program
Please read the entire announcement before applying.
Duties
- This vacancy is open to students pursuing Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Architecture, Astronautical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computational Science and Engineering ...
 - .... Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Fire Protection Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science ...
 - ... Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Metallurgical Engineering, Molecular Engineering, Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Engineering, Robotics Engineering, ...
 - ..... Software Engineering, Structural Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Welding Engineering majors.
 - Work under the guidance of senior engineers/scientists to support NASA mission operations in groundbreaking design, development, test and evaluation, and/or research work of aerospace technologies that align to your academic studies and interests.
 - Specific duties will be dependent upon the assigned occupational specialty in preparation for more difficult tasks as a professional trainee after graduation.
 
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- This position is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
 - At the time you apply for this announcement, you must be a degree or certificate seeking student who is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half time basis as defined by the institution.
 - At the time you apply for this announcement, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
 - The expected start date is January 26, 2026.
 - You must be able to work a minimum of 480 hours after your start date and before you complete your academic program requirements.
 - Applicants must have a graduation date on or after April 19, 2026.
 - If you are selected, you must maintain your enrollment at your current educational institution during periods you are not working at NASA. You must also maintain a GPA of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
 - If you are selected, you will be required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement which outlines the conditions of employment.
 - If you are selected, you will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation or higher level clearance. The level of investigation/clearance may differ and be required based on the duties/location-NASA Center requirements.
 - Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Risk Designation for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
 - Salary Range reflects the lowest and highest salary for the advertised duty locations. Actual salary will be dependent on the NASA duty location for which you are selected.
 - Rotational assignments are at management's discretion.
 - After submitting your application via USAJOBS, you may be notified via email to take additional USA Hire assessments online. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for important information.
 - If you are selected, you must be at least 16 years old at the time of your start date.
 - All Pathways interns are expected to report onsite.
 - This position may require a two-year trial period. If selected, the requirement to serve such period will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. **See Additional Information section**
 
Qualifications
Starting GS grade levels are determined by education level COMPLETED at this time:
- For GS-4: Completed at least 30 semester credit hours or at least 45 quarter hours in a certificate program, associate's or bachelor's degree program.
 - For GS-5: Completed at least 60 semester credit hours or at least 90 quarter hours in a certificate program or bachelor's degree program.
 - For GS-6: Completed 90 or more semester credit hours or 135 or more quarter hours in a certificate program or bachelor's degree program.
 - For GS-7: Accepted into a master's or juris doctor program OR in the first year of a master's or juris doctor program.
 - For GS-9: Completed 1 academic year* of a master's or juris doctor program OR accepted into a doctorate program OR in the first year of a doctorate program.
 
*An academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study.
Your responses to the initial application questionnaire will determine the grade for which you will be considered. You will only be considered for the grade level matching your claimed academic level.
Documentation must be provided which adequately supports your answers to the eligibility questions. If enrolled in a dual degree program, your supporting documents must show how your credit hours apply to each degree and, if applicable, which degree(s) you have completed.
NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tool in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit https://www.nasa.gov/careers/how-to-apply/#Artificial-Intelligence to review NASA's guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.
Education
To be eligible for this position, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree with a major in one of the following required fields:
- Aerospace Engineering
 - Aeronautical Engineering
 - Architecture
 - Astronautical Engineering
 - Ceramic Engineering
 - Chemical Engineering
 - Chemistry
 - Civil Engineering
 - Computational Science and Engineering
 - Computer Engineering
 - Computer Science
 - Electrical Engineering
 - Electronics Engineering
 - Engineering Mechanics
 - Fire Protection Engineering
 - Industrial Engineering
 - Materials Engineering
 - Materials Science
 - Mechanical Engineering
 - Mechatronics
 - Metallurgical Engineering
 - Molecular Engineering
 - Optical Engineering
 - Optical Sciences
 - Organic Chemistry
 - Polymer Chemistry
 - Polymer Engineering
 - Robotics Engineering
 - Software Engineering
 - Structural Engineering
 - Systems Engineering
 - Welding Engineering
 
Degrees in engineering technology are not qualifying for this position.