It is pretty sweet to be a part of the Nation's Space Program. - Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer NASA Employee Review

4.0
May 6, 2013
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Exciting Missions, lots of opportunity. Gives you a sense of pride in contributing to the Nation's Space Program. Lots of portability around the Agency and federal Government jobs as a whole. The legacy of awesome is everywhere! Meet astronauts, legends, and see cool mission hardware. Great work/life balance. You're not expected to respond to email or answer your phone after work hours. If you work or travel for work outside of work hours, you're compensated appropriately for the time. Training is thorough, comprehensive, and helpful. Very defined career paths, and lots of movement is available.

Cons

Your pay is at the center of public attention and on the news all the time. Low pay compared to private sector (GS Payscale), and it is in the cross-hairs for cuts all the time. Bureaucratic at times, especially at HQ level. No free food or massages like other silicone valley jobs. Can't cut the dead weight because no one gets fired. (This is a pro if you're lazy)

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5.0
Jul 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

So many ways to engage yourself in the work Great hours, benefits

Cons

Pay is rather low for Aerospace, even as an intern

1.0
Jul 4, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I have nothing good to say.

Cons

If you are the victim of a crime or experience something illegal connected to NASA, do not blindly trust the internal process to protect you. In my experience, NASA has built relationships with local and federal agencies in a way that can push people right back into NASA’s own internal channels, including HR, the Inspector General, and Protective Services. The problem is that those offices may not have the authority, independence, or experience to properly handle serious criminal or legal issues. Once you are back inside that system, the priority can quickly become protecting the organization, managing liability, and controlling the narrative instead of protecting the person who was harmed. Victim intimidation is not just possible in that kind of environment. It should be expected. Once the organization is involved in controlling the process, the person reporting harm can end up pressured, isolated, discredited, or steered away from outside accountability. That is unacceptable. Victims should not be forced into a process where the organization involved gets to influence how the matter is handled. Internal offices are not a replacement for real legal protection, outside law enforcement, or independent legal counsel. If something illegal happens to you, talk to a lawyer first. Get independent advice. Have your attorney guide you through the appropriate outside agencies and legal channels. Do not assume NASA’s internal process is neutral, independent, or designed to protect you.

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