When we mention space travel we always associate astronauts with it. It is interesting for us to study how they survive in space, what they eat, where they urinate, and how they sleep. Astronauts are always in the foreground. Have you ever wondered who provided astronauts with a spacecraft to take them into space? All this was made possible for astronauts by aerospace engineers, people who work on making spacecraft. The dream of every aerospace engineer is to work for NASA one day. How do you join NASA after aerospace engineering?
To join NASA after aerospace engineering it is best to join one of NASA’s Pathway programs. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a probationary period of one year. If you prove yourself, NASA will most likely offer you a permanent job. You can also apply for a job at NASA through job advertisements on the USAJOBS website.
To get a job at NASA, it is important to start planning your professional path as early as possible to meet all the criteria that NASA requires for a particular field. NASA has strict criteria for its employees and even if you get a job at NASA, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will stay working there. Only the best of the best truly stay to work for this impressive organization. To apply to work at NASA in the first place, you must be a US citizen. Exceptions are extremely rare. If you are not a US citizen, it may be better to consider working in one of the private companies in the space industry.
What does an aerospace engineer do at NASA?
Aerospace engineering is an area that deals with the development of aircraft and spacecraft. For NASA, aerospace engineers work on the development of spacecraft although they must have knowledge in the field of aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering. This field is also called rocket science. Aerospace engineers work in teams in which they design, assemble and test air crafts and space crafts. They can work on making an entire spacecraft or they can specialize in a specific field such as missile guidance systems, propulsion or similar.
The jobs that an aerospace engineer does at NASA are, to say the least, diverse. The aerospace engineer designs spacecraft, satellites and missiles, as well as all the equipment that spacecraft will have. They are primarily employed in the production, analysis, design, research and development of various space crafts. An aerospace engineer can work on designing a rocket that will send a spacecraft into space, but he can also work on landers that will dig a surface on Mars to find a source of water. Space exploration truly gives engineers the ability to design innovative devices and spacecraft. Also, aerospace engineers develop and oversee space flight mission paths.
The development of a new product begins with determining the features and functions that the product should have. After that, the product is designed, parts are made and each part is tested. Eventually, all the parts are put together into the final product and being tested to check its effectiveness.
NASA’s aerospace engineers are not only making new space crafts but also upgrading existing spacecraft. They test them and remove bugs and errors that occur during their test or actual flight. In their work, aerospace engineers apply knowledge of aerodynamics, propulsion, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, flight mechanics and structural analysis. They are often involved in research and conducting of reliability studies.
The job of an aerospace engineer doesn’t stop at designing spacecraft. During the creation of the spacecraft, the team of engineers who designed the spacecraft coordinates with the manufacturing team so that it can correct possible breakdowns or errors that may occur in production on time. Aerospace engineers also assess the materials used for the manufacture of spacecraft.
Finally, aerospace engineers work together with the technical team to explain the technical specifications and ensure that the product works successfully.
Jobs that are directly related to the aerospace engineer degree are aerospace engineer, maintenance engineer, manufacturing systems engineer, a materials engineer and mechanical engineer.
Where do NASA aerospace engineers work?
Most NASA aerospace engineers work in offices and laboratories where they design products, write reports, conduct research, test products and eliminate potential bugs. Other aerospace engineers work in factory production hangars where they supervise production and directly participate in the work. Sometimes they can also do fieldwork if they participate in flight-test programs or investigate aircraft accidents. They can also test the product in the field, give instructions and repair failures.
Sometimes aerospace engineers have to travel to different work sites. NASA has research centers across the United States from San Francisco to Philadelphia, and sometimes knowledge and work on a particular project need to be shared with other experts so the need for aerospace engineers to travel to other centers is quite understandable.
How do I join NASA after aerospace engineering?
Before you even think about applying to work at NASA, you must have completed aerospace engineering. You can study it at an advanced degree, bachelor’s, master and Ph.D. levels at many universities. The minimum education required for this position at NASA is a bachelor’s degree. To conduct research at a random aerospace engineering site, you will only get the job if you have a Ph.D.
It is best to obtain the NASA Pathways Intern Employment Program during your studies, which is intended for students and people who are accepted into a qualifying education program. During the internship, you will learn practical skills, gain knowledge, experience and build acquaintances. The internship is also paid so you don’t have to worry about finances. To get an internship at NASA you have to be a US citizen and be at least 16 years old. If you prove good during the internship, at the end of your schooling you will almost certainly get a job at NASA.
If you’re not that lucky to get an internship for NASA or you did not know about it, don’t despair. You can still get a job at NASA. If you recently graduated, you can apply to the NASA Pathways Recent Graduates Program (RGP). If you are accepted, you are provided with a one year career development program. Sometimes it can be extended for another year.
But employment does not mean that you will stay and work for NASA. When you get a degree in aerospace engineering you have a lot of theoretical knowledge, but there is a one-year probationary period in which you have to show that you are learning and progressing. If you fail to do so, likely, your contract will not be extended. If you stand out while participating in the RGP program, you will be offered a job at NASA.
The third way to apply for NASA is the NASA Pathways Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF) which is intended for people who completed a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree within the last two years. Successful completion of the program may result in permanent employment or employment for 6 years.
You do not have to complete any of these programs to get a job at NASA. It is possible to apply for a job at NASA through an ad posted on the USAJOBS website. Every day NASA publishes job advertisements on this site and it is up to you to meet the criteria and complete the application.
NASA also employs many contractors like Boeing, SpaceX and other companies that make spacecraft or work in the field of space travel. Currently, for NASA, these contractors do much of the engineering work. For the construction of NASA’s spacecraft, employees oversee the works and management, but the design and manufacturing are mostly done by contractors. If you fail to get a job at NASA, consider looking for a job at one of the companies that employ aerospace engineers. You will likely end up working on projects for NASA yourself, you just won’t be their worker.
How much money does a NASA engineer make?
Aerospace engineers have the highest starting salary compared to all other engineers. The starting salary is $ 111,433 to $ 144,860 per year. The average salary of an aerospace engineer at NASA is $ 104,970 per year. By comparison, a NASA astronaut earns an average of $ 99,749 per year, while the average salary of all NASA employees is $ 93,000 per year.
Can aerospace engineers become astronauts?
Yes, aerospace engineers can become astronauts. In fact, to become an astronaut you must have a master’s degree in a STEM field including engineering. In addition to engineering, people who have a master’s degree in biological science, physical science, computer science or mathematics can also apply for the position of an astronaut.
To become a NASA astronaut with the possession of one of the listed master’s degrees you must be a US citizen, have previous experience of two years of related professional experience and pass a NASA long-duration flight astronaut physical.
Source:
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/aero/pdf/careers_in_aeronautics_5-12.pdf
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/583367700
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/aerospace-engineers.htm#tab-4