NASA Reviews (208)
| 05.03.10 | Real-Time Engineer |
| 01.08.10 | Facilities Operations Supervisor |
| 02.11.10 | Contractor |
| 05.12.09 | Space Test Engineer |
| 09.14.09 | Mechanical Design Engineer |
| 09.29.10 | Aerospace Engineer |
| 01.31.11 | Manufacturing Engineer |
| 06.17.09 | Design Engineer |
| 04.06.12 | Full-Time Electrical Intern |
| 12.07.09 | Central Plant Manager |
NASA Review by Real-Time Engineer in Pasadena, CA on
What do you like about working at NASA?
The technical opportunities and the chances to learn new things were very good to superior, but you had to display initiative in volunteering to learn about new technologies and get the opportunity to work with them. There were also very good opportunities to work with very capable and bright people. If you are very technically inclined and are working on a stable project, this is generally a good work environment.
What don't you like about working at NASA?
JPL did not invest very much in the training and leadership development of its engineers and analysts. Too often they were used as short term cheap labor until funding dries up and they are cut. Management did not seem particularly interested in grooming talent for top research and management positions unless they graduated from elite graduate institutions. This is not particularly uncommon among technical institutions, aerospace companies and software companies, but at JPL it was especially apparent. The management track was wide open for those people, but ironically, because of their technical proficiency and superb research skills, they prefer to stay in research, development, instrument design or software architecture and forego the management track, which is often the opposite of what happens in private industry. Thus, management loses contact early with the best and brightest and their research gets lost, or the talent gets frustrated with bureaucratic and funding impediments and goes into software development companies, academia or technology start-ups. JPL should be more proactive about retaining these technological leaders and giving them a say in seeking external funding apart from NASA. JPL should also be more aggressive about promoting technology transfer along with spin-off and start-up companies, especially those started by former employees.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Because of its matrix structure, JPL is top-heavy with management. This often leads to protracted and vicious turf battles among line managers and various project managers for limited personnel and computational/instrument resources. The number of managers, especially project managers should be restricted and a separate IT division should be staffed by engineers that are leased to separate projects where they would work exclusively on those projects they are leased to. In addition, there are too many divisions and sub-divisions staffed with too many line managers and their lieutenants. It would be better to reduce the number of divisions and transfer line managers to a general IT division and make them responsible for the training and development of IT personnel that are needed for projects. The rest of the line managers should be directly responsible for the management of cutting edge research and development and should be aggressive about seeking funding not only from NASA, but other government agencies and private industry.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Always emphasize your technical credentials, and don't be afraid to mention that you have a graduate degree from any elite graduate institutions. If you have a computer science background, do not neglect mentioning it as well.
"Outstanding Opportunity to provide Quality Healthcare"
NASA Review by Facilities Operations Supervisor on
What do you like about working at NASA?
As Facilities operations lead supervisor, It was my duty to handle all trouble calls in the hospital. When I took that position, there were stacks of trouble calls and the previous supervisor did not handle the request correctly. I went out and did an assessment and developed a strategic plan to improve Customer care and I started by impowering my staff to seek out trouble items before they were called in after the trouble calls were fixed and within 6 months, we hardly ever had major repairs and I received the Navy Achievement Medal from the Surgeon General of the united States for saving the hospital over $50,000 dollars in repair cost within the first year of my leadership. I then Retired from the Navy in 1998 having completed 20 years of sucessful track records
What don't you like about working at NASA?
The challenges, the feeling of helping to improve Quality healthcare
What suggestions do you have for management?
Be creative, think out of the box, develop a strategic plan and challenge your staff to be the best. Training is key, Quality is Gold and it makes all the difference in the world.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Determine that you will leave having made your job better than it was when you arrived. I did at the navy Hospital. I made big improvements and increased Quality Healthcare and saved Overhead cost. If you decide that that is you goal, and you do it? You will be remembered long after your gone. I still am remembered to this day by people who knew me when i worked there.
"Great Contractors Lockheed Martin, Jacobs Technology"
NASA Review by Contractor in Houston, TX on
What do you like about working at NASA?
Well technically I was working within the NASA-JSC community as a Lockheed Martin or Jacobs Technology contractor as purchased labor to NASA-JSC. And upon closer reading also other contractors Johnson Engineering Rockwell etc. What I liked was learning engineering and sciences in different area of the NASA community. Rotations included on-board communications, flight crew systems, radioastronomical, Command and data handling, environmental systems, human factors, life sciences, solar systems exploration, reliability and safety. I enjoy leaning and changes in all these area provide a well rounded engineer and the added benefit of Program Management skills isn't a bad measuring stick. I've learned so much from the NASA - JSC community and I'm grateful.
What don't you like about working at NASA?
That I was never directly hired by NASA - JSC and was always only a contractor.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Being able to recognize those who do a good enough job for NASA that they are invited to work as a civil servant because they've earned the right to do so and become one of the family.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
When applying to USA-Jobs make sure to read the requirements and re-write your resume to match the key words in the wanted field. NASA_JSC uses resemix to select their candidates. If there is not a match with in your resume to their area you'll not get selected to an eligible status.
"technological society need some expert to do the job. Who is that man to do the job?"
NASA Review by Space Test Engineer in Cape Canaveral, FL on
What do you like about working at NASA?
understanding about man and space and how we can search to find answer to the origin of mankind through Science and Technology.
What don't you like about working at NASA?
Management must bed modify from military style to more technological and moderate style.
What suggestions do you have for management?
For me NASA is a practical University. Therefore, change must be done from the top. We need to be unify in order to bring light to NASA not disaster also to bring closeness to other scientist from other country to be unify. we need practical tools in order to explorer the Universe and NASA can be the leader of this scientific, engineering, physics, chemistry, biology with infinite possibility. Then, we do not need to spend too much money to create security. Since everybody is involved and everybody get a share of the melting pot. Therefore, there is no spy or security need it.
NASA Review by Mechanical Design Engineer in Redondo Beach, CA on
What do you like about working at NASA?
The design work that I got to do on a daily basis for a variety of upcoming missions, from Rovers to Satellites. It typically is a very job specific work day so find something that you like doing. You do have the option to switch between jobs fairly easily.
What don't you like about working at NASA?
The commute. It is a ways from the coast which I can't live without (not their fault). It also gets extremely hot (105-110 F) in the summer. Pay tends to be a bit less, 5-10%, but this is more or less understood by the once in a lifetime projects that you get to be apart of!
What suggestions do you have for management?
Management was great, I loved that job.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Don't get too stressed that it is NASA. Everyone their is very helpful and the schedule and budget had a tendency to go over (since it is a Federal funded place). Enjoy it!
NASA Review by Aerospace Engineer on
What do you like about working at NASA?
A place with friendly working people of great engineers and scientists with whom one can associate with well and learn from great knowledge of engineering and science. Plenty of opportunity to explore both fundamentals and applied technology with test facilities: wind tunnel, small table-top setup, instrumentation, data aquisition and processing, and independent theoretical and numerical modelings of some challenging physical problems.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Well familiar with product lines, position of company vs. competitors, and willing to take risk.
"Overall Bliss: Above Average"
NASA Review by Manufacturing Engineer on
What do you like about working at NASA?
What JPL offers. Great constant training for employees, vanpool, 3 cafeterias (somewhat expensive), competitive salary.
What don't you like about working at NASA?
Most of the people that want's something manufactured; design engineers, scientists, and techs. 90% of the time, their project is late and they want it done. When you can't do it ASAP, everyone is stressed and frustrated. Everyone loves to blame and point fingers. Management is very reactionary. Instead of sitting down and gathering information to focus on the root cause, it's often do something NOW!
What suggestions do you have for management?
Gather data and focus on the root cause. Stop trying to solve something on the fly. Get information from people under you.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Do your best!
NASA Review by Design Engineer in Kennedy Space Center, FL on
What do you like about working at NASA?
Being a part of such an important part of History and no-matter how small it is still a major accomplishment. I was one of the few lucky people that can say worked for NASA!!!!
What don't you like about working at NASA?
Some times there was down time between jobs due to the Bureuacracy of working with various governmental agencies
What suggestions do you have for management?
Have planned trainings prepared for these down times.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
They are looking for very friendly personable people, it literaly is working in very close contact with various individuals. There are very many grandfathered-in employees whom see change as a thread to their ability and knowledge.
NASA Review by Full-Time Electrical Intern on
What do you like about working at NASA?
the company provided a great opportunity to learn about electrical engineering design (power systems) and to achieve higher positions.
What don't you like about working at NASA?
I do not have any specific issue about the company
What suggestions do you have for management?
Team work, Control of the staff, Making sure to accomplish all the goals on time, Respect each member regardless of color or race, Complete control of the budget, Make sure the team will respect you for what you are capable of doing (professionally) and not based on your status in life. Attitude is everything!
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
My best and simple suggestions to them are basically: relax and be yourself.
"The environment is too tense and uncomfortable. Government employees look down on contractors. "
NASA Review by Central Plant Manager in Houston, TX on
What do you like about working at NASA?
The opportunity to explore science projects.
What don't you like about working at NASA?
The lack of support from NASA employees and contractors. There appears to be a constant battle of trying to make others look bad. The feeling I got was that their system was perfect and required no improvements. The environment did not like change.
What suggestions do you have for management?
Try to create an environment that believes in supporting the team by sharing the resposibilities.
Do you have any tips for others interviewing with this company?
Be direct and don't hesitate with your answers. Always stick to the first answer you give.
NASA Stats
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