Student Trainee; Aerospace Engineering

Summary

This announcement has been amended. The "How You Will Be Evaluated" section has been updated to align with the assessment. Applicants do not need to reapply.

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.

• This vacancy is open to students pursuing Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or Astronautical 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.
• 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.

• 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 either June 1, 2026 or August 24, 2026.
• You must be able to work a minimum of 480 hours after your start date and before you complete your 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.
• At least 16 years old at the time of your start date.
• May require a two‑year trial period, as required by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.
• You may be required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement, undergo a pre‑employment background investigation or higher level clearance, and possibly financial disclosure, drug testing, or a risk designation, depending 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.
• All Pathways interns are expected to report onsite.
• Maintain your enrollment at your current educational institution during periods you are not working at NASA, and maintain a GPA of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• You can apply for a maximum of one duty location.
• After submitting your application via USAJOBS, you may be notified via email to take additional USA Hire assessments online.
• Interns may be promoted to higher grades based on the amount of education completed and acceptable performance, but promotions are not guaranteed.
• Special rate tables may apply for graduate students.

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…