NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Employee Reviews about "people"
89% would recommend to a friend
(380 total reviews)
Dr. Laurie Leshin
90% approve of CEO
Found 380 of over 1K reviews
Updated Nov 28, 2023
- Popular
- Most Recent
- Highest Rating
- Lowest Rating
What are your colleagues talking about?
Top Review Highlights by Sentiment
Excerpts from user reviews, not authored by Glassdoor
- "A good work/life balance with a 9/80 schedule where you work 9 hours each work day and get every other Friday off." (in 58 reviews)
- "Some managers have no business being managers because they can't delegate (this is true across NASA)." (in 20 reviews)
Ratings by Demographics
This rating reflects the overall rating of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is not affected by filters.
Reviews about "people"
Return to all Reviews- 4.0Mar 27, 2022EngineerCurrent Employee
Pros
The work is unique and inspiring. The people are intelligent and hard-working.
Cons
Office politics and the occasional bad employee can be just as bad as any other employer.
- 3.0Sep 7, 2016Anonymous InternFormer Intern
Pros
It's an excellent environment with lots of brilliant people; they treat interns pretty well.
Cons
Depending on who your mentor is, you're essentially on your own. I got a lot of freedom but would have preferred more direction.
- 5.0Sep 15, 2021Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 5 yearsPasadena, CA
Pros
* Amazing engagement with a world-changing mission to leverage robotic spacecraft to understand our planet, the solar system and beyond, seeking the origin of our solar system, the galaxy and evidence of life elsewhere. * Work with some of the coolest and smartest people in the world in their fields. * Direct association with NASA and Caltech. * Lots of diversity / high commitment to inclusion. * Great opportunities for students to learn and make real contributions. * Unparalleled brand recognition/reputation.
Cons
* Egos can be challenging at times * Long history of successful missions results in some resistance to change * NASA connection (i.e., taxpayer dollars) means a "no-frills" environment (very little food, no bonuses/stock, etc.) * California...
- 4.0Jun 3, 2022Software EngineerCurrent Employee
Pros
The technology being built here is literally groundbreaking and the people you meet and get to work with are all awesome and wicked smart!
Cons
A lot of the people in management lack people skills. You get promoted if you're an engineer with awesome projects under your belt and you've been there for years. End of Story. What this leads to are multiple managers and leaders who aren't great with people and struggle to lead teams in an efficient, forward thinking (from a tech and leadership style perspective), and stuck in their ways.
1 - 4.0Nov 25, 2016Anonymous EmployeeCurrent Employee, more than 10 yearsPasadena, CA
Pros
A great opportunity to work with impressive people who are motivated to do something great. The environment is generally friendly and collegial; very few people leave and several people who have left (mostly early career hires) find their way back to the lab.
Cons
This is a large company with a rich history; ideas and traditions become entrenched and change often happens slowly.
1 - 4.0Jun 13, 2011Anonymous EmployeeFormer EmployeePasadena, CA
Pros
Surrounded by great people who love their jobs and can leave at the end of the day feeling satisfied with your work. As a young academic, found people very willing to go out of their way to answer my questions and mentor me.
Cons
Worked here without having a PhD. Talk about an uphill battle, with no prospect for advancement without the degree. That is just part of the deal and not meant to be a devastating critique. While the lab might not be as political as your typical academic department, there is a fair amount of petty politicking that goes on.
2 - 5.0Dec 6, 2018Anonymous InternFormer Intern
Pros
Incredible work environment and lots of passionate people who are eager to help and share their work with you.
Cons
Lots of red tape due to strict protocols - can be hard to get things done fast
- 5.0Feb 1, 2023InternCurrent Intern
Pros
Full of open minded and great people willing to help
Cons
If you’re not adaptable to constant change it’s not the place for you
- 5.0Jan 19, 2022Anonymous InternFormer Intern, less than 1 year
Pros
People are very excited about what they do and are eager to share their work with you. There are lots of great opportunities to learn new things and explore areas outside your internship focus. The campus is also awesome and I loved checking out what was being built at high bay during my breaks.
Cons
I wish they paid more.
- 5.0Sep 26, 2016STAR InternFormer Intern
Pros
JPL is one of the best places I have ever worked. There are so many neat things to see and incredible people at the forefront of science. As an intern you actually have a real research experience and can make some great connections.
Cons
Honestly nothing major. Parking can be annoying if you come later than 9 or so. Interns mostly take the free shuttle to Caltech.
