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Nasa Robotics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

KBR

Robotics Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

The Intelligent Robotics Group (irg.arc.nasa.gov) conducts aggressive and focused research and development for robot missions on Earth and in space. This research and development supports a wide ...

BotBuilt

Robotics Scientist

Durham, NC · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

The BotBuilt Team Our team is a distinguished collective of experts, including alumni engineers from NASA, veterans of the U.S. Special Operations Forces, and doctorates in Robotics and Civil ...

BotBuilt

Robot Operator

Durham, NC · On-site

The BotBuilt Team Our team is a distinguished collective of experts, including alumni engineers from NASA, veterans of the U.S. Special Operations Forces, and doctorates in Robotics and Civil ...

OffWorld

Robotics Test Engineer

Altadena, CA · On-site

... NASA, ESA, NOAA, Maxar Technologies, CERN, Reaction Engines, SAFRAN, Surrey Satellites and ... Our robotic systems combine sensor information, cutting edge classical/machine learning (ML ...

OffWorld

Robotics Test Engineer

Pasadena, CA · On-site

www.offworld.ai Robotics Test & Integration Engineer Based in Pasadena, CA OffWorld is a robotics ... NASA, ESA,NOAA,MaxarTechnologies, CERN, Reaction Engines, SAFRAN, Surrey Satellites and Cisco.

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How much do nasa robotics jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for nasa robotics in the United States is $21.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $23.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What's the highest paying job at NASA?

The highest paying jobs at NASA are typically senior executive roles such as NASA Administrator or Associate Administrator, which can have salaries exceeding $180,000 annually. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often a background in science, engineering, or management.

What are NASA robotics engineers?

NASA robotics engineers are professionals who design, build, test, and operate robotic systems used in space exploration and related missions. These engineers work on technologies such as robotic arms for spacecraft, autonomous rovers for planetary exploration, and robotic systems for maintenance and repairs. Their work enables NASA to explore environments that are too dangerous or inaccessible for humans, like Mars or the Moon. Robotics engineers at NASA collaborate with scientists and other engineers to develop innovative solutions that advance space technology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a NASA Robotics Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a NASA Robotics Engineer, you need a strong background in robotics, mechanical/electrical engineering, and programming, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Experience with tools like MATLAB, ROS (Robot Operating System), CAD software, and familiarity with embedded systems or space-rated hardware is often required. Exceptional problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills set you apart when working on complex, multidisciplinary projects. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure the development of reliable robotic systems that can perform critical tasks in challenging space environments.

What is the difference between Nasa Robotics vs Nasa Mechanical Engineering?

AspectNasa RoboticsNasa Mechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in Robotics, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; experience with robotics systemsBachelor's or higher in Mechanical Engineering; focus on design, analysis, and manufacturing
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, field testing, space mission sitesDesign offices, labs, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageRobotics systems for space exploration, automationMechanical systems for spacecraft, equipment, and infrastructure
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

While both Nasa Robotics and Nasa Mechanical Engineering roles require engineering degrees, Nasa Robotics focuses on designing and developing robotic systems for space missions, whereas Nasa Mechanical Engineering emphasizes mechanical design and analysis of spacecraft components. Both roles often collaborate but serve distinct functions within NASA's projects.

How much do NASA robotic engineers make?

NASA robotic engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. They often require specialized skills in robotics, programming, and engineering, and may work in a highly technical environment with security clearances. Salaries can vary based on federal pay scales and seniority levels.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in NASA Robotics, and how are they addressed by teams?

Professionals in NASA Robotics often face challenges such as designing systems for extreme environments, ensuring reliability with limited opportunities for maintenance, and integrating multidisciplinary technologies. Teams typically address these by fostering close collaboration between mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, conducting extensive simulations and testing, and utilizing iterative prototyping. Open communication and regular cross-functional meetings are essential to quickly identify and resolve integration issues, ensuring mission success and safety.

Is it hard to get hired at NASA?

Getting hired as a NASA robotics engineer is competitive and requires a strong background in engineering, computer science, or related fields, along with relevant experience and skills in robotics, programming, and problem-solving. Candidates often need a bachelor's degree at minimum, with many roles requiring advanced degrees and security clearances. The hiring process involves rigorous evaluations, interviews, and demonstrating technical expertise.

Can I work at NASA being a programmer?

Yes, NASA employs programmers in roles such as software engineers and systems developers who work on mission-critical applications, robotics, and data analysis. These positions typically require a strong background in computer science, programming languages like C++ or Python, and often a bachelor's or higher degree in a related field. Security clearances and experience with embedded systems or robotics may also be necessary.
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What cities are hiring for Nasa Robotics jobs? Cities with the most Nasa Robotics job openings:
What states have the most Nasa Robotics jobs? States with the most job openings for Nasa Robotics jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Nasa Robotics jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Nasa Robotics jobs are:
Nasa Robotics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nasa Robotics job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Summer. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,864 per year, or $21.1 per hour.
Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineer

KBR

Mountain View, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago

KBR rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

96th of 359 rated engineering

Job description

Title:

Robotics Engineer

BELONG. CONNECT. GROW. with KBR.

Around here, we define the future. We are a company of innovators, thinkers, creators, explorers, volunteers, and dreamers. But we all share one goal: to improve the world responsibly and safely.


The Intelligent Robotics Group (irg.arc.nasa.gov) conducts aggressive and focused research and development for robot missions on Earth and in space. This research and development supports a wide variety of NASA and non-NASA customers through direct technology delivery, field testing (in extreme environments and on the International Space Station), and deployment. Key work areas include autonomy, navigation, perception, and robot user interfaces.
This position is for a full-time robotics engineer to develop software systems for future lunar rovers. Applicants should have a PhD in Computer Science or Robotics. A strong background and
experience in Linux-based software development (C, C++, and/or Java) and agile development is required.

***Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident***

Required Skills and Traits:

Strong background in robotics, computer vision, and distributed systems
Strong software development experience with C/C++ and GNU tools under Linux
Experience with robot perception, guidance, navigation, and/or planning
US Citizen or Permanent Resident

Other Desired Skills:

Robotics
- Embedded systems
- Real-time motion control
- 3D environment modeling for obstacle avoidance and rendezvous
- Robotic navigation
- Fault diagnosis and recovery
Computer vision
- Cameras and 3D depth sensors
- Sensor characterization and calibration
- Extended Kalman filters
- Visual pose estimation, including optical flow, feature-based approaches, and SLAM
- Pose estimation sensor fusion: integrating asynchronous data sources, IMU data, and landmark information


Robot Software
- ROS (Robot Operating System) framework
- DDS (Data Distribution System) networking middleware
- Robust communication over unreliable wireless networks
- cFS (core Flight Software)

Equivalent education and/or experience will be considered.

KBR Benefits

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.

Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits

KBR partners with several other companies to fulfill its requirements as a government contractor. The selected subcontracting companies align their benefits as closely as possible to those above.

#LI-EM2

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team's philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver - Together.

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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About KBR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At KBR, we partner with government and industry clients to provide purposeful and comprehensive solutions with an emphasis on efficiency and safety. With a full portfolio of services, proprietary technologies and expertise, our employees are ready to handle projects and missions from planning and design to sustainability and maintenance. Whether at the bottom of the ocean or in outer space, our clients trust us to deliver the impossible on a daily basis.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

Year founded

1998

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