Student Trainee; Mechanical Engineering

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, : NASA Pathways Internship Program. Please read the entire announcement before applying.

• Open to students pursuing Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering majors.
• Work under guidance of senior engineers/scientists to support NASA mission operations in design, development, test, evaluation, or research of aerospace technologies aligning with your studies and interests.
• Specific duties will depend on the assigned occupational specialty in preparation for more difficult tasks as a professional trainee after graduation.
• Disciplines include, but are not limited to:
  Fluid and Flight Mechanics;
  Materials and Structures;
  Propulsion and Power;
  Flight Systems;
  Data Systems and Analysis; and Operations.

• Open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Must be a degree or certificate seeking student enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited institution on at least a half‑time basis.
• Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• Expected start date: either June 1, 2026 or August 24, 2026.
• Must be able to work a minimum of 480 hours after your start date and before completing academic program requirements.
• Selectees starting June 1, 2026 must have a graduation date on or after August 22, 2026; selectees starting August 24, 2026 must have a graduation date on or after November 14, 2026.
• Must maintain enrollment during periods not working at NASA and a GPA of at least 2.9.
• Must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement.
• Subject to pre‑employment background investigation, clearance, financial disclosure, drug testing, and risk designation as required by duty location.
• Salary range reflects lowest and highest salary for advertised duty locations; actual salary depends on location.
• Rotational assignments are at management's discretion.
• May be required to take additional USA Hire assessments after submitting application.
• Must be at least 16 years old at the start date.
• Interns are expected to report onsite.
• Position may require a two‑year trial period with performance evaluation.
• Eligible to apply for only one duty location.

Starting GS grade levels are determined by education level completed at this time:

• GS‑4:
  Completed at least 30 semester credit hours or 45 quarter hours in a certificate program, associate's or bachelor's degree program.
• GS‑5:
  Completed at least 60 semester credit hours or 90 quarter hours in a certificate program or bachelor's degree program.
• GS‑6:
  Completed 90 or more semester credit hours or 135 or more quarter hours in a certificate program or bachelor's degree program.
• GS‑7:
  Accepted into a master's or juris doctor program OR in the first year of a master's or juris doctor program.
• 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. Documentation must be provided to support your eligibility. NASA prohibits the use of AI tools in drafting application responses.

Education requirements:

• Must be enrolled and pursuing a degree with a major in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering.

Engineering program requirements:

• For U.S. institutions:
  Must be enrolled in a degree program at a college or university school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by ABET as a professional engineering curriculum.
• For non‑U.S. institutions:
  Must be recognized by an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) or an equivalent recognized by ABET.

Science program requirements:

• U.S. institutions:
  Must be accredited by a recognized accrediting organization.
• Non‑U.S.…