What degrees do you need to get work at NASA? NASA jobs aren’t as difficult to get into as you may think.
There is a wide range of educational backgrounds for careers with NASA:
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) recommended degrees below.
Data Entry Operator:
Requires just a high school diploma or equivalent. Work operating industrial-size computers and peripherals.
Space Shuttle Systems Engineer:
This job requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or physical sciences with a strong emphasis on courses such as calculus, mechanics, the strength of materials, dynamics, propulsion, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics.
Senior Space Operations Mentor:
Requires a bachelor’s degree in math or science (astronautical/aerospace preferred) plus 4 years experience; master’s degree may substitute for some of the experience. Experience should include some or all these areas: spacecraft trajectories and orbits; orbital mechanics; orbital operations; space shuttle systems and subsystems; space station operational structure and integration; launch vehicles and launch processing.
Systems Analyst:
Requires a bachelor’s degree in math or science (computer science preferred) with course work in systems analysis, computer programming, and probability and statistics.
Contract Specialist:
Bachelor’s degree in math, science, or engineering preferred; 2 years of experience with contracts preferred.
Program Analyst:
Requires a bachelor’s degree in math or science (economics preferred) and 3 years of progressively increasing responsibilities in developing and applying an organization’s policies and procedures to improve administrative management.
General Engineer:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering required. Minimum 9-18 years progressively responsible experience may substitute for part of the education requirement. Experience should include planning, developing, testing, evaluating, obtaining permits/licenses/etc., constructing facilities related to roads, bridges, buildings, pipelines, and mechanical equipment.
Sr. Contracts Administrator:
Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, or related discipline required. Experience should include some or all these areas: processing contract actions, developing/maintaining contract files, analyzing/processing contract payments.
Contracts Representative:
This job requires a four-year college degree emphasizing contracts, business administration, and finance.
Deputy Program Manager:
Space Station Video Image Processing System: Bachelor’s degree in math or science (computer science preferred) plus 3 years experience. Experience should include some or all these areas: image processing systems design and integration, algorithm development, program debugging/simulation, and performance analysis.
Aerospace Research Engineer:
You need a bachelor’s degree in engineering with a concentration in aerospace required. Experience should include activities such as applying the principles of aeronautics and astronautics to research, testing, or developing concepts for aircraft, missiles, or space vehicles, conducting engineering studies/designs of aerospace systems.
Electronic Hardware Engineer:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering with a concentration in electronics/instrumentation required. Experience includes activities such as fabricating, calibration, and testing.
Space Shuttle Orbiter Project Manager:
NASA requires a bachelor’s degree in science (math preferred) plus 8 years of responsible experience. Experience should include some or all these areas: Space Shuttle main engine subsystems integration; liquid oxygen feed system development; orbiter interface with solid rocket booster attachment hardware.
RCRA Compliance Supervisor:
Master’s degree or higher in public health, environmental sciences/engineering, and chemistry.
Supervisory General Engineer:
Bachelor’s degree in engineering required. Minimum 12 years progressively responsible experience may substitute for part of the education requirement. Experience should include planning, developing, testing, evaluating, obtaining permits/licenses/etc., constructing facilities related to roads, bridges, buildings; pipelines; and mechanical equipment.
Telecommunications Specialist:
Four-year college degree (preferably business or communications) plus 3-5 years of progressively increasing responsibility in the management and operation of telecommunications systems. Experience should include some or all these areas: network administration, network security; installation support services; and end-user support.
Space Shuttle Displays Systems Engineer:
bachelor’s degree in science (engineering preferred) plus 5 years of experience. Experience should include some or all of these areas: integrated displays subsystems design verification; integrating engineering changes into existing products; developing display software using ADA.
Aerospace Engineer:
NASA requires four years in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major in aerospace engineering or astronautics. The specific NASA Center sets additional requirements.
Contract Specialist:
Bachelor’s degree required. Experience should include some or all of these areas: contract negotiations/administration and contract management.
Space Shuttle Range Safety Officer:
You need a master’s degree and 6 years of progressively responsible experience (emphasis on safety, reliability, and quality assurance).
Launch Site Electrical Design Engineer:
Four-year college degree (emphasis on electrical/electronic engineering)
If you’re thinking of making the jump to a new career, NASA or otherwise, check out this article on How to Successfully Make the Change.
