Pathways Intern

Job Description

Summary

This position is part of NASA’s Pathways Intern Employment Program (IEP), which offers students unique opportunities to explore careers at NASA and gain valuable developmental work experience. The Pathways program is designed to provide hands-on experience and insight into NASA’s missions.

For more details about the NASA Pathways Internship Program, interested applicants are encouraged to visit the official program link.

Duties

This vacancy is specifically open to students pursuing majors in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering.

Interns will work under the guidance of senior engineers and scientists to support critical NASA mission operations. This involves engagement in groundbreaking design, development, test and evaluation, and/or research work focusing on aerospace technologies that align with their academic studies and interests.

Specific duties will vary depending on the assigned occupational specialty, preparing the intern for more challenging tasks as a professional trainee upon graduation. Disciplines involved in this program include, but are not limited to:

• Fluid and Flight Mechanics
• Materials and Structures
• Propulsion and Power
• Flight Systems
• Data Systems and Analysis
• Operations

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or someone who owes allegiance to the U.S.
• Student Status: At the time of application, you must be a degree or certificate-seeking student enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited educational institution on at least a half-time basis as defined by the institution.
• GPA: At the time of application, you must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.9 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
• Start Dates: The expected start date is either June 1, 2026 or August 24, 2026.
• Work Hours: You must be able to work a minimum of 480 hours after your start date and before completing your academic program requirements.
• Graduation Dates:
  • 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.
• Enrollment Maintenance: If selected, you must maintain your enrollment at your 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).
• Pathways Participant Agreement: If selected, you will be required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement outlining the conditions of employment.
• Background Investigation/Clearance: If selected, you will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation or higher-level clearance, which may differ based on duties and NASA Center requirements.
• Other Potential Requirements: Financial Disclosure, Drug Testing, and/or the Risk Designation for this position may differ and be required based on the duty location/NASA Center requirements.
• Salary: The salary range reflects the lowest and highest salary for advertised duty locations; actual salary will depend on the selected NASA duty location.
• Rotational Assignments: Rotational assignments are at management’s discretion.
• USA Hire Assessments: After submitting your application via USAJOBS, you may receive an email to take additional USA Hire assessments online. Refer to the “How to Apply” section for important information.
• Age Requirement: If selected, you must be at least 16 years old at the time of your start date.
• Onsite Work: All Pathways interns are expected to report onsite.
• Trial Period: This position may require a two-year trial period, determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11. Refer to the “Additional Information” section for details.
• Duty Location Limit: You will be able to apply for a maximum of one duty location.

Qualifications

Starting GS grade levels are determined by the education level COMPLETED at the time of application:

• 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 number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study.

Your responses to the initial application questionnaire will determine the grade for which you will be considered. You will only be considered for the grade level matching your claimed academic level.

Documentation must be provided to adequately support your answers to the eligibility questions. If enrolled in a dual degree program, your supporting documents must show how your credit hours apply to each degree and, if applicable, which degree(s) you have completed.

NASA prohibits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or AI-assisted tools in drafting application and assessment responses. Please visit NASA’s guidance on the use of AI tools during the application process.

Education

To be eligible for this position, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree with a major in one of the following required fields:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Robotics Engineering

Degrees in engineering technology are not qualifying for this position.

Engineering Programs from Institutions within the United States:

You must be enrolled in a degree program at a college or university school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum. Degrees must be received in the year of, or any year subsequent to, the original date of accreditation. To verify if a degree meets this requirement, go to the ABET website.

Engineering Programs from Institutions outside the United States:

Engineering programs from educational institutions outside the United States must be recognized by an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), often known as accords. These are non-governmental agreements among organizations that accredit academic degree programs, recognizing the substantial equivalence of mature accreditation systems and programs accredited by signatory organizations within their jurisdictions. For a listing of Signatories, please visit ABET Global Presence.

Science Programs from Institutions within the United States:

Science and other related degree programs within the United States must be from colleges or universities that are accredited by recognized accrediting organizations. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, go to http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Science and Other Related Degree Programs from Institutions outside the United States:

If you are currently enrolled in a degree program at a foreign college or university, your degree may need to be evaluated by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign education programs to be eligible for conversion to a permanent or term position. Your degree must be deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit must be given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: U.S. Department of Education – International Affairs.

College Transcript:

Applicants must submit a copy of their most recent college transcript that lists the school’s name, student’s name, degree program, major, GPA, college courses, course title, and number of credit hours completed. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted; however, if selected, official transcripts will be required prior to your appointment date.

Accepted for Enrollment:

If you have been accepted for enrollment in an institution but have not yet begun coursework, you must submit an Acceptance Letter from the institution AND your most recent academic transcript from your previous program.

Additional Information

PLEASE TAKE CARE IN PREPARING AND SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION. Pay close attention to selections and inputs made in the Questionnaires. Entries regarding your eligibility made in error cannot be modified after submission, and you will lose consideration if deemed ineligible based on questionnaire answers.

Graduation Dates (Repeated for emphasis):

• 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.

Interns may be promoted to higher grades based on the amount of education completed and acceptable performance; however, promotions are not guaranteed. Special rate tables may apply for graduate students.

Trial Period

You may be required to serve a two-year trial period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated. If selected, this requirement will be determined by Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 11.

Factors considered in determining if your employment advances the public interest include:

• Your performance and conduct.
• The needs and interests of the agency.
• Whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government.
• Whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive written certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Conversion Eligibility

Interns may be considered for conversion to a Term or Permanent appointment within 180 days of completing degree requirements, provided they:

• Successfully completed an academic course of study with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.9 (on a 4.0 scale).
• Complete a minimum of 480 hours of work experience before completing degree requirements.
• Meet the qualification requirements for the position to which they are converted (including any required coursework).
• Maintain acceptable performance.

Eligibility for conversion does not guarantee that NASA will offer conversion to a Term or Permanent job.

The full performance level (FPL) of the position for conversion is GS-13.

As identical vacancies are identified, additional selections may be made.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests

If you have a physical or mental disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, that may interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you may request a RA in your online application. Requests and required supporting documentation must be submitted before beginning the assessments. RA determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet minimum qualifications, you will be notified of the decision and, if applicable, receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. If you receive the link after the announcement closes, you must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL. Review the guidance to determine if a RA is needed: Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Per Executive Order 14343, this position is not part of a bargaining unit.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position held and whether the position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.