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Company:
Goddard Space Flight CenterCompany Website
Location(s):
8800 Greenbelt RdGreenbelt, MD
20771-2400
Map Location
Phone:
(301) 286-2000Industry:
Aerospace / Military / DefenseSize:
500 or more
An aerial view of some of the buildings at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Credit: NASA
The center's main campus is located in Greenbelt, Md., a suburb of Washington, D.C. The center is named after American rocketry pioneer Dr. Robert H. Goddard.
Career Opportunities NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., leads the world in scientific discovery and understanding. Goddard is the home of innovative Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics and planetary science. The center's diverse and talented team is responsible for each breakthrough emerging from Goddard laboratories.
From high school interns to accomplished Nobel Prize winners, each member of the Goddard team plays a vital role in mission success.
Internship Programs and Educator Workshops
Hundreds of students and educators contribute to Goddard's missions through internship programs each year. Students engage in Goddard’s revolutionary missions and research projects, which inspire a life-long interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Goddard internship participants work alongside the center’s world-renowned engineers, scientists and professionals, contributing significantly to missions, projects and other endeavors.Goddard’s student and educator opportunities continue NASA’s tradition of investing in the nation's education programs. They are directly tied to the agency's major educational goal of strengthening NASA's and the nation's future workforce. Through this and the agency's other college and university programs, NASA identifies and develops the critical skills and capabilities needed to achieve NASA’s visions.
Transform Your Future
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., leads the world in scientific discovery and understanding. Goddard is the home of innovative Earth science, astrophysics, heliophysics and planetary science. The center's diverse and talented team is responsible for each breakthrough emerging from Goddard laboratories.From high school interns to accomplished Nobel Prize winners, each member of the Goddard team plays a vital role in mission success. If you are interested in applying for employment with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, contact our Human Resources department at (301) 286-7918.
Today there are more opportunities than ever before that await each and every one of you who wants to reach for the stars. In the 21st century, your generation is going to lead the world…and possibly, even leave this world to live on another. These opportunities might lead to adventures such as living on the International Space Station; or working on a research station on a near-Earth asteroid; developing a colony on Mars; or peering thousands of trillions of miles into the vastness of space, looking for Earth-sized planets, and searching for an answer to the big question: Are we alone?
Exploring heavens brings advances here on Earth that we have yet to imagine. But we should also pursue these missions because there’s more to life than survival and consumption. Are these goals bold? Yes. Are the missions risky? Yes. Is there a chance we could fail? You bet.
New frontiers – in space and on Earth – are always risky … and often dangerous. But don't be afraid to dream. Now its your turn. Take your place in history.
Career Opportunities
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center has a variety of career opportunities for scientists, engineers, technicians, and professionals.
A Quicklook at NASA Employee Benefits
| Your Pay Or Benefits | As a NASA Civil Service Employee |
Challenging, Interesting Work | Planned a mission to Mars lately? Ever replaced a gyro on an orbiting telescope traveling at 17,600 mph in a full vacuum? As a NASA civil servant, you will participate in or provide critical support to activities just like these. Each day you will be helping to make our Nation's history...and create our future. Your work is to invent, to create, to explore, to explain. Often, it's not very easy...but it's very satisfying and personally--very rewarding. Each day, you have the opportunity to perform meaningful, challenging work in state-of the-art facilities. Your work is important not only to our Nation's space program....but also to the future of humankind. Working for NASA, you can really make a difference that is literally and figuratively...out of this world. |
Financial & Job Security | You receive a very competitive salary with a comprehensive retirement and benefits package. As a Federal employee, you have numerous employment safeguards that insure that promotions and advancement are based on performance, achievement, and productivity. Even though NASA has been downsizing for the past couple of years, we've been able to meet our targets without any involuntary separations. What this means to you is that if you join NASA and continue to perform satisfactorily, you most likely will have the opportunity to remain with us throughout your entire career. As shown by our very, very low turnover rates, NASA is a proven "employer of choice." |
Family Friendly Workplace | To meet the needs of our evolving workforce, NASA has instituted a variety of programs and policies designed to insure that you can continue to meet the needs and demands of family and personal life while continuing to successfully perform your NASA duties. NASA Family Friendly initiatives include: flexible work and leave schedules; leave sharing, flexi-place programs; safety, wellness, and recreation programs; Employee Assistance Programs; educational outreach; career and benefits counseling, and relocation assistance. Many NASA installations also offer onsite or nearby childcare facilities. |
Great Work Environment! | NASA provides state-of the-art facilities that provide a safe, secure, and well maintained work environment. You work along-side well-trained, experienced professionals who share not only your sense of dedication to our mission but also a passion for our work. |
Life-Long Learning | NASA is all about learning and education. As a NASA employee, our expectation is that you will continue to learn and develop throughout your career. Life-long learning is not only important...it is absolutely necessary for our continuing success. As we stretch the limits of human knowledge and the boundaries of our known universe--you, as a NASA employee, will be expected to develop and expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities. To help you, NASA has a number of tools, programs, and experiences that will not only develop--but also challenge you. Subsidized continuing education, extensive onsite training, continuing exposure to the latest technology, and a constant influx of new and challenging projects will help you continue to learn throughout your NASA career. |
Competitive Salary | Your salary is based upon established government-wide standards and adjusted for longevity, cost of living, and locality costs. |
Locality Pay | In addition to you salary, you will receive an additional percentage of your pay that is intended to insure that your civil service pay is competitive with that offered in the private sector. This pay is based upon average local wage costs in the geographic areas in which our NASA facilities are located. |
Pay Increases For Experience & Longevity | In addition to a competitive salary and locality pay, you receive "within grade" pay increases based upon time in your pay grade and satisfactory job performance. These ten "steps" occur at 1, 2, and 3 year intervals. |
Cost Of Living Pay Increases | Usually each year, Congress approves a small percentage salary increase for most employees. This increase is generally intended to insure that Federal salaries keep pace with inflation. |
Incentive Awards Program | NASA has an active incentive awards program that rewards and recognizes outstanding achievement, innovation, and performance. Awards are both monetary and non-monetary (time-off, medals, and certificates). |
Choice Of Health Benefits Plans | You have a choice from a variety of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) or fee-for-service health plans. If you are enrolled, NASA pays approximately 75% of your biweekly health benefit premium. There is an annual open season for switching plans. Pre-existing conditions are covered. Coverage may be carried into retirement. |
Health Clinic | Most installations have onsite health clinics that provide preventive care, limited immunizations, and health screening at no charge. |
Safety & Wellness Programs | NASA considers your safety and wellness to be of paramount importance to the accomplishment of our agency missions. As a NASA employee, not only will you be a key player in our safety and wellness programs, you will also be a major beneficiary in that our processes, products, facilities, and workforce are all focused on insuring that you are safe, secure, and well cared for. |
Sick Leave | You earn 4 hours of sick leave for each two week pay period. You may accrue sick leave indefinitely throughout your career. You may also be advanced up to 240 hours of sick leave in cases of serious illness. You may use up to 104 hours of your sick leave each year to care for sick family members. |
Short Term Disability Protection | You receive 100% of pay and benefits during the period covered by your accrued and advanced sick leave and accrued and advanced annual leave and credit hours. Through our Leave Donor Program, you may also receive donated leave hours from your co-workers for use during periods of extended illness. |
Long Term Disability Protection | If you become disabled and have at least 18months of service you may be entitled to long term disability benefits. NASA will also make extensive efforts to accommodate any handicapping condition and allow you to remain as a productive member of our workforce. |
FEGLI Life Insurance | NASA employees may enroll in the government-wide Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program. FEGLI provides a variety of coverage and benefit amounts. NASA pays 1/3 of the cost of your basic premium. |
NEBA Life & Travel Insurance | NASA employees may also enroll in the NASA Employees Benefit Association (NEBA) Life & Travel Insurance Program. NEBA is an employee operated not-for-profit association that offers a variety of coverage including free child coverage--at very competitive rates. . |
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) | Each NASA facility has an active Employee Assistance Program that offers confidential evaluation, counseling, education, and referral services to NASA employees and their families. These services are free of charge. |
Annual Leave | You earn 13 days paid annual leave during your first 3 years of Federal service; 20 days of annual leave per year up to your 15th year of service; and 26 days of annual leave per year after your 15th year of service. You may also carry over up to 30 days of unused annual leave each year. |
Holidays | As a Federal employee, you will receive 10 paid Federal holidays per year. |
Military Leave | NASA is supportive of your participation in the U.S. military as a reservist or member of the National Guard. You may receive 15 or more days paid military leave each year for periods of active military duty. |
Leave For Jury Duty | If called to jury duty, you will be given additional paid leave without having to use your own annual leave. |
Flexible Work Schedules | NASA employees have a variety of different work schedules that are available to them depending upon their duties, location, and personal needs. Schedules include flextime, variable day (VDS), regular, and irregular work tours. |
Telecommuting | Most NASA installations offer programs that support telecommuting to accommodate medical, family, commuter needs, or clean air programs. |
Retirement Plan | As a NASA civil servant, you will be enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). You will be eligible to receive retirement income from three sources: a basic retirement plan, your Thrift Savings Plan, and Social Security. |
Retirement Eligibility | Depending on your year of birth, you will be eligible to retire at age 55-57 with 30 years service (or 10 years service with a reduced annuity); or age 60 with 20 years service; or age 62 with 5 years service. Under some circumstances, you may also be eligible for early retirement at any age with 25 years service or after age 50 and 20 years service. |
Thrift Savings Plan | As a NASA employee you will be eligible to contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This plan is similar to a 401K plan in the private sector. You may contribute up to $15,000 of your salary each year. The government will automatically contribute 1% of your salary with additional matching up to a total of 5% match of your salary. |
Social Security Coverage | If you've earned at least 40 Social Security credits, you will be entitled to social security benefits--normally at age 62. |
Medicare Coverage | As a Federal employee, you will be eligible for Medicare at age 65. |
Credit For Active Duty in the U.S. Uniformed Services | In most circumstances, you may receive civil service credit for your active duty in the U.S. uniformed services. Credit may be used for determination of your leave accrual rate and your retirement eligibility. |
Tuition Assistance | NASA will prepay your tuition for college coursework related to your job. |
Relocation Assistance | For most jobs, NASA offers relocation assistance for your move to your new NASA duty station. First duty station benefits include movement of your household goods and travel reimbursement. |
Reasonable Living Costs | Most NASA facilities are located in areas that are rated below the national average for costs of living....but are rated high for quality of life. |
Competitive Internal Job Placement | When filling most positions, NASA considers current employees first. If the position involves a possible promotion, we will announce the job opportunity. If you meet the basic qualifications, you will be allowed to apply for the job vacancy and compete for the job with other internal applicants. |
Job Portability | If you are on a career appointment, your service credit, pay grade, sick leave, annual leave, and retirement are transferable to other Federal government agencies. If you leave government service, you will also carry over Social Security credits and be able to rollover Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) investments into a private sector plan. Even if you leave before normal retirement, you may be eligible for a deferred annuity. |
Cafeterias Onsite | Most NASA facilities have food service facilities conveniently located within walking distance of your office or work area. Food service is offered at very competitive prices. |
Travel Agency Onsite | Most NASA facilities have an onsite travel agency that, in addition to arranging government travel, also provides personal travel assistance. |
Federal Credit Union | As a NASA civil servant, you will be eligible for membership in various Federal Credit unions. Branches are conveniently located near most NASA installations or accessible on-line. |
Recreation & Fitness Programs | Most NASA installations have recreation and fitness facilities or arrangements with nearby providers. Many installations sponsor athletic leagues, recreational and wellness classes, and special events that are also open to family members. |
Scholarship Programs For Dependents | NASA has both agency-wide and local installation scholarship programs that are open to NASA dependents. Competitive selections are made annually. |
Free Or Subsidized Parking; Commuting Assistance | If you have to pay $100-$150 per month in parking or commuting costs like many workers in larger cities---you'll understand why this is one of our hidden benefits. Most NASA installations have ample, nearby onsite parking that is free or subsidized. Where needed, some NASA installations have programs to help reduce commuting time or public transit costs. |
Your NASA Job | It's worth repeating--your NASA job is the greatest benefit of all. When you put the whole package together---our work, the pay, the benefits, being part of the NASA family---we truly have some of the best jobs on earth...or above it! |
Personal thoughts about working for Goddard Space Flight Center
Carlos Bernabe, Electrical Engineer
Joined NASA as a co-op student in 1992; became a full-time employee in 1994
Carlos Bernabe, Electrical Engineer
"As an electrical engineer in the Instrumentation Engineering Group of the Electromechanical Systems Branch at Goddard, I’m working on developing the focus and filter mechanisms positioning sensors, or actuators, and the electronics for the InfraRed Array Camera (IRAC) instrument. The instrument will operate in a cryogenic environment on a mission, SIRTF, that’s now scheduled to fly in late 2001. My group is developing the ground support equipment to simulate the environment before the instrument actually flies. The control system for the equipment can be positioned remotely.""I work with a young, diverse team of people with expertise in several disciplines. We interact with each other to develop the final product. For instance, the electrical engineers and the mechanical engineers work together to develop the various components of this instrument."
"I think that NASA allows you to develop your professional career and also to apply your knowledge to your daily job. At NASA, if a person is interested in developing new technology, the opportunities are there. The goal is to discover and enhance technology that may have many applications rather than to just apply the technology to one component."
Deborah Amato, Aerospace Engineer
Joined NASA as a co-op student in 1993; became a full-time employee in 1994
Deborah Amato, Aerospace Engineer
"As an aerospace engineer at Goddard, my job essentially involves mechanical design, hardware fabrication, test planning, and instrument integration. I translate what scientists want into a working instrument."Right now, I’m working on developing the imagery grids for HESSI, the High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager. HESSI is a solar observing instrument that will fly on a Small Explorer spacecraft, hopefully during the Solar Maximum in 2000, and will study the Sun’s high-energy characterization of the grids. I also carry out environmental testing to ensure that the instrument will survive its launch loads.
"It’s been my goal to work at NASA since I was a teenager. I like working here because I get to work on things that no one else is doing. This is cutting-edge technology, and I’m working with scientists who are at the forefront of solar physics. The work here is less profit-oriented than in private industry (even though funding constraints do exist). Also, NASA paid my graduate study tuition through its Part-Time Graduate Study Program. Goddard also offers a lot of extra activities, which are a great addition to my work life. I’ve participated in softball, aerobics, and volleyball, which have been a lot of fun."