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Author
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Topic: NASA Force: Talent recruited for 2-year terms
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 56090
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-03-2026 05:00 PM
   
From NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman: Today [March 3], we're launching NASA Force with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.Returning to the Moon requires restoring core competencies in our civil servant workforce. This program will recruit top aerospace, software, systems, and other critical technical talent for approximately 2-year terms at NASA. This will strengthen in-house engineering excellence, close skill gaps, and deepen partnerships with industry. We're investing in our people to deepen America's leadership in space. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 56090
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-04-2026 10:57 AM
NASA release NASA, OPM Launch NASA Force to Recruit Top Talent for US Space ProgramThe U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and NASA announced NASA Force on Wednesday, a dedicated talent track within the US Tech Force initiative designed to recruit and deploy the nation's top engineers and technologists to support America's space program.
NASA Force will identify and place high-impact technical talent into mission-critical roles supporting NASA's exploration, research, and advanced technology priorities, ensuring the agency has the cutting-edge expertise needed to maintain U.S. leadership in space. Tech Force, led by OPM, was established to recruit elite technical professionals into federal service, embed them at partner agencies to modernize systems, accelerate innovation, and strengthen mission delivery. NASA Force represents a focused expansion of that effort, tailored to the unique technical demands of space exploration and aerospace research.
"America's leadership in space depends on extraordinary talent," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. "NASA Force will help us attract the next generation of innovators and technical experts who are ready to solve the toughest challenges in exploration, science, and aerospace technology. This partnership strengthens our workforce and helps ensure the United States remains the global leader in space."
"NASA represents the pinnacle of American innovation," said OPM Director Scott Kupor. "Through NASA Force, we are ensuring the world's premier space agency has access to the very best engineers and technologists in the country. If you want to work on the most consequential technical challenges anywhere in the world, this is your call to serve."
The launch of NASA Force builds on the growing momentum of the US Tech Force initiative, which has attracted strong interest from early- and mid-career technologists eager to apply their skills to public service.
Applications will be live soon and those interested are encouraged to follow @USTechForce. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5557
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-04-2026 02:51 PM
Advantageous to the government, not so much for the employee given lack of job stability. Will be interesting to see how many vested contractors make the leap to a non-competitive temp status in the federal work force. Temp employees are the first to be let go during reduction and enjoy fewer protections (then permanent feds). |
Headshot
Member Posts: 1452
From: Vancouver, WA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 03-04-2026 07:17 PM
The very best engineers and technologists in the country are not going to sign on for something like this. Just think of the questions your next interviewer will ask, like "Why did you settle for this temporary NASA gig instead of looking for a long term career at an aerospace company? Don't you have confidence in your talent and abilities?" |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 56090
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-04-2026 07:31 PM
Or, perhaps, they really would like to work on sending people back to the moon, but do not want to give up the career they have worked hard to acquire. So they take a two-year hiatus, go to work at NASA, while knowing they have a position to go back to when finished.(Obviously, this will not apply to everyone, but if they really are the best at their job, companies might be inclined to give them the two years rather lose them.) |
Jim Behling
Member Posts: 2033
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 03-04-2026 08:04 PM
I took the chance 25 years ago, was picked up full term and got 23 years out of it. |
oly
Member Posts: 1526
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 03-05-2026 02:22 AM
I gave up trying to follow US politics, but didn't NASA recently lay off people under a Deferred Resignation Program as well as lay off others by shutting down programs?I would have thought that the best candidates with current/recent "unique technical demands of space exploration and aerospace research" would be at NASA.
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micropooz
Member Posts: 1885
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 03-05-2026 06:55 AM
Oly, I think you hit the nail right on the head! The agency forced a bunch of us out (I retired to get out ahead of the force out) a year ago. Now I'd bet that they figured out that they don't have the people to do the job anymore and are hoping that some of the "forced out" folks will come back as 2-year temps. One heckuva business plan!  |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5557
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-05-2026 03:27 PM
DRP was indiscriminate in implementation (particularly round 1) — most agencies didn't get a vote on who was accepted — generally the employee applied and regardless of qualifications, performance history, needs of the organization, were approved (the only exceptions were those who worked national security, public safety or immigration enforcement positions). Many of the best/brightest and/or with mission essential skills departed federal service. |
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