20 NASA Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at NASA, you can expect to be asked some pretty tough questions. After all, this is an organization that is responsible for some of the most complex and innovative projects in the world.

That being said, there are some key things that you can do to prepare for your interview and increase your chances of landing the job. First, it is important to familiarize yourself with the company and its history. Second, you should take the time to research the specific position you are applying for. Finally, you should be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications and experience.

With that in mind, here are some sample interview questions that you may be asked if you are interviewing for a job at NASA.

NASA Interview Process

The interview process at NASA can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one interview. For some positions, such as internships, the interview process may be shorter and less difficult than for other positions, such as astronaut or engineer. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, though it can be long and competitive for some positions.

1. What do you know about JPL?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the organization and its history. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done some research on the company before applying. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include information about JPL’s mission, location and any notable projects or achievements.

Example: “I know that JPL was founded in the late 1940s by Caltech as a division of the California Institute of Technology. The lab has been responsible for many important space missions, including the Mariner program, Viking program and Voyager program. I’m excited to apply my skills and experience to help advance the work they do.”

2. Which area of aerospace engineering are you most interested in working in?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the company and its work. It also allows them to see if there are any areas of aerospace engineering that they don’t currently offer positions in, but may be able to create one for you.

Example: “I am most interested in working with planetary spacecrafts. I find it fascinating how we can send machines into space to explore other planets and moons. I would love to be part of the team that sends a rover to Mars.”

3. Why do you want to work at NASA?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at NASA. It’s also a good opportunity for you to show how much research you’ve done on the organization and its mission. When preparing for this question, make sure to read up on some of NASA’s recent accomplishments and look into what projects they’re currently working on.

Example: “I’m so excited to apply for this position because I have always been fascinated by space exploration. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of one day becoming an astronaut. After doing some research on NASA, I learned that there are many different career paths within the organization. I am very interested in working as part of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory team where I can help build new spacecrafts.”

4. How would you handle a situation where the team was not meeting deadlines?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and ability to motivate a team. In your answer, try to highlight how you would use your communication and problem-solving skills to help the team meet deadlines while maintaining high standards of quality.

Example: “I believe that it’s important for everyone on the team to understand why we need to meet certain deadlines. If I were in this situation, I would first hold a meeting with my team members to discuss what led to the delay and what steps we can take to prevent similar delays from happening again. Then, I would create a plan to ensure that all future projects are completed by their due dates.”

5. Describe a time when you had to deal with ambiguity on a project, how did you manage it?

When working in a field that requires you to solve problems and make decisions, ambiguity is inevitable. The interviewer wants to know how you handle uncertainty and whether you can adapt quickly to new information.

Example: “In my previous role as an IT specialist, I had to deal with ambiguity on a daily basis. When I was first hired, the company’s network was down for several hours each day due to viruses and malware. My team and I worked together to develop a plan to prevent future attacks by installing firewalls and antivirus software. We also developed a backup system so we could restore data if it became corrupted.”

6. What is your experience with space-based instrumentation?

This question is a great way to gauge your experience with the type of work you would be doing if you were hired. If you have no experience, it’s okay to say so and explain that you’re excited to learn more about this field.

Example: “I’ve worked in the aerospace industry for five years now, but I haven’t had any direct experience with space-based instrumentation. However, I am eager to learn more about how instruments are used to collect data from spacecrafts and what kind of technology NASA uses to do this.”

7. Do you have any relevant experience working with robotic planetary spacecrafts?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working with a similar type of technology. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you develop skills that are transferable to this role.

Example: “I worked as a software engineer for a company that built robotic planetary spacecrafts. My primary responsibility was designing the software that controlled the movement of the vehicles. I also had to ensure that the software could withstand extreme temperatures and other environmental factors. This experience taught me how to work in a team environment and gave me valuable insight into what it takes to build these types of vehicles.”

8. If hired, what software and programming languages will be most important for you to learn?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your level of computer knowledge and how quickly you can adapt to new technology. In your answer, explain which software and programming languages you are familiar with and why they’re important for the job.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, so I am already familiar with many different types of coding languages. However, if hired, I would be happy to learn any new languages that will help me do my job more effectively. For example, I’ve heard that Python is one of JPL’s most commonly used coding languages, so I’d like to become proficient in it.”

9. Provide an example of a time when you worked effectively under pressure.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you were able to complete a project or task in a short amount of time. This can show the interviewer that you are capable of working under pressure and completing tasks efficiently.

Example: “In my last position as an aerospace engineer, I was tasked with creating a new design for a space shuttle’s engine system. The deadline for completion was two weeks, but due to some complications, I had to finish the project in one week. I worked long hours each day to ensure that I met the deadline. In the end, I completed the project on time and received positive feedback from my supervisor.”

10. What is your favorite part about being an engineer?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your passion for engineering and why you chose this career path. When answering, it can be helpful to discuss a specific project or experience that inspired you to pursue engineering as a career.

Example: “My favorite part about being an engineer is seeing my projects come to life. I love working with a team of engineers to create something new and innovative. In my last position, we were tasked with creating a new type of solar panel that could withstand harsh weather conditions. It was exciting to see our design come to fruition and successfully power a remote location.”

11. Tell us about a time that you took a leadership role on a team.

When you’re interviewing for a leadership role, it’s important to show that you have the skills and experience necessary to lead others. When answering this question, think of an example from your past where you took on a leadership role and helped your team achieve success.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager at a software development company, I was responsible for leading a team of developers who were tasked with creating a new app. The deadline was tight, but we had a great team of developers who worked hard to create a successful product. We met our deadline and exceeded expectations by releasing a high-quality app.”

12. Give me an example of a time when you failed, what happened and what did you learn from it?

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from mistakes and grow as a person. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on the steps you took to improve yourself or your work.

Example: “When I was in college, I had an internship at a local news station where I would write stories for the website. One day, I wrote a story about a new technology that could help people with disabilities walk again. The problem was, I didn’t do enough research before writing the article and ended up publishing inaccurate information. After realizing my mistake, I immediately updated the article with the correct information and apologized to the public.”

13. We need our astronaut candidates to be prepared to go into space within two weeks notice. Are you comfortable with this kind of schedule?

This question is designed to determine if you are prepared for the fast-paced nature of working at JPL. It also helps them understand your commitment level and how much you want this job.

Example: “I am very comfortable with a two-week notice, as I have worked in similar environments before. In my last position, we had to prepare for an emergency launch within 24 hours. We were able to get everything ready on time and our team was able to successfully complete the mission.”

14. What excites you the most about aerospace engineering?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. It also helps them determine if your interests align with their organization’s mission. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or experience that inspired you to pursue aerospace engineering as a career.

Example: “I am most excited by the idea of exploring new frontiers in space. I find it fascinating how much we still don’t know about our universe and would love to be part of the team that makes discoveries like finding life on other planets.”

15. Why should we hire you over other applicants?

This question is a great opportunity to highlight your unique skills and abilities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to refer back to the job description or any other information you have about the position. This will help you determine which skills are most important for the role.

Example: “I am an extremely organized individual who has experience working in fast-paced environments. I also have extensive knowledge of computer programming languages, including Python and C++. These skills make me uniquely qualified for this position as they allow me to work with complex data sets and solve problems quickly.”

16. Can you tell us about some projects you have worked on that involved flying through outer space?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working in the field of space exploration. You can talk about any projects you’ve worked on that involved flying through outer space, or you can talk about how you helped prepare for such missions.

Example: “I was part of a team that flew a spacecraft through the asteroid belt and back again. We had to make sure all systems were functioning properly before we left Earth’s orbit so we could safely fly through the asteroid belt without being damaged by any debris. I also helped with the preparation of another mission where we sent a spacecraft into Jupiter’s atmosphere.”

17. What appeals to you most about working at NASA?

This question is an opportunity to show your passion for the space program. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific project or event that you find exciting and why.

Example: “I am fascinated by all things space-related, so I would have to say the most appealing thing about working at NASA is getting to work on projects like the Mars Rover. It’s amazing to think of how far we’ve come in our exploration of other planets and solar systems, and I’m excited to continue learning more about what lies beyond Earth.”

18. Have you ever had to deal with failure or setbacks? How did you handle it?

NASA and JPL are organizations that require employees to be innovative, creative thinkers. They want to know how you’ve handled failure in the past and what steps you took to overcome it.

Example: “I once had a project where I was working with a team of engineers on developing a new type of solar panel for space travel. We were so close to finishing when one of our prototypes caught fire during testing. It was devastating because we’d been working on this project for over six months. However, we regrouped and decided to start from scratch. After another two months, we developed a new prototype that worked perfectly.”

19. If you were going to give advice to someone who just graduated college, what advice would you give them?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the field and how you can help others. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what advice you would give someone who just graduated college. It’s also helpful to include any specific skills or knowledge that you gained in school that could help them succeed.

Example: “If I were going to give advice to someone who just graduated from college, I would tell them to take advantage of every opportunity they have. Whether it’s an internship, networking event or even volunteering, there are so many ways to get involved in the industry and learn more about what you want to do. If you’re passionate about something, go after it.”

20. What does innovation mean to you?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your understanding of what innovation means in the context of NASA. Your answer should include examples of how you’ve been innovative in your past roles and how that helped your organization or company succeed.

Example: “Innovation is something I take seriously, as it’s an important part of my work ethic. In my last role, I was tasked with creating new ways to engage our customers online. After researching different methods for increasing engagement, I decided to create a social media campaign where we would give away prizes to users who shared our content. This strategy increased our reach by 30%.”