About Jet Propulsion Laboratory
What is Jet Propulsion Laboratory?
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a federally-funded research and development center managed by Caltech for NASA, headquartered on a 168-acre campus in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, California. JPL is "the leading center for robotic space exploration where scientists, engineers, technologists and mission support professionals redefine what's possible." It is NASA's only FFRDC.
JPL's spacecraft have flown to every planet in the solar system, the Sun, and into interstellar space. It designed, built, and operated all five of the successful rovers sent to Mars, the first rotorcraft ever sent to another planet (Ingenuity), and the Voyager, Cassini, Galileo and Curiosity missions. JPL helped build and manages one of the four cameras aboard the James Webb Space Telescope, engineered Hubble's corrective optics, and operates the NASA Deep Space Network. It currently runs 40 active missions on an annual budget of $2.4 billion (FY21).
Where will I work?
JPL operates from a single 168-acre campus near Pasadena, California — the Lab supports the local Southern California economy with more than 5,500 full-time positions. Most employees can choose a 9/80 schedule (working 80 hours across nine days, with every other Friday off). Telework is supported for many roles. The Lab also runs Project Discovery, a returnship program in partnership with the Society for Women Engineers (SWE) and iRelaunch for professionals returning after an extended absence.
What is the Jet Propulsion Laboratory team like?
Approximately 5,500 employees and on-site subcontractors work at JPL: a dedicated and diverse population of scientists, engineers, technologists, developers, communicators, designers, safety experts, and business administrators. Because JPL is managed by Caltech, employees are technically Caltech employees and have access to Caltech's world-renowned academic community. Employee Resource Groups, interest clubs, and outreach/volunteering opportunities support a broad community. The Lab's motto comes from Theodore Roosevelt: "Dare mighty things." JPL is also eligible for the NASA Agency Honor Awards Program in addition to its own robust internal awards program.
Work-Life Balance
JPL's signature work-life-balance offering is the 9/80 schedule — "Most employees can choose a '9/80' schedule (work 80 hours over 9 days), which means every other Friday off." Employees receive 12 paid holidays and one personal holiday in addition to generous vacation and sick time accrual. The Lab provides free therapy sessions and a 24/7 EAP hotline covering employee assistance, elder care, and financial planning. On-Lab gyms and a wellness room support physical health, and rideshare subsidies (vanpool, biking, premium carpool parking) reduce the daily commute load.
Perks and Benefits
- 9/80 schedule: every other Friday off — opt-in, available to most employees
- 12 paid holidays + 1 personal holiday + accrued vacation + sick time
- Caltech HMO/PPO health plans (Kaiser, Anthem), Delta Dental, MetLife life, VSP vision
- FSA / HSA / Dependent Care spending accounts
- 403(b) retirement plan: JPL contributes a % of salary based on age and years of service, regardless of voluntary contributions
- Free therapy sessions + 24/7 EAP hotline (elder care, financial planning, budgeting)
- On-Lab gyms + wellness room
- Tuition reimbursement for continuing education
- LinkedIn Learning + NASA courses + mentoring programs + Speaker Series
- JPL awards program + eligibility for NASA Agency Honor Awards
- Rideshare/vanpool/biking subsidies + premium carpool parking
- Project Discovery returnship program (with SWE + iRelaunch)