Planetary Science Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That's our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers-literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission-your opportunity-is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you're driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you're ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

Job Description Summary

Provides operational support for NASA's thematic science areas of Planetary, Earth, and Astrophysics, facilitating seamless project execution across JPL's integrated communications team from initial request through final delivery. Serves as a critical link between mission communications leads and creative teams, ensuring that physical and digital deliverables remain on schedule and aligned with mission and program office needs.

Job Description

As part of the Media & Strategic Communications section, work with the Mission Communications and Media teams to deliver value to stakeholders across NASA's Science Mission Directorate and JPL's Flight Projects and Strategy & Formulation Directorates.

This role requires exceptional organizational skills, a proactive approach to project tracking, and the ability to maintain momentum across multiple concurrent tasks. Must be nimble, highly curious about NASA/JPL science and engineering, and relentlessly focused on delivering the highest quality products quickly and efficiently. Must be adept at working with a diverse group of constituents including the science community, distribution outlets, NASA personnel, and civil, commercial, and non-profit partners to ensure the success of high-impact, leveraged initiatives that deliver value on the public's investment in NASA and JPL.

Responsibilities:

• Work with communications team to brainstorm new content, product ideas, and messaging campaigns.
• Take ownership of project concepts from leads and drive them to completion, filling in creative gaps and making tactical decisions to keep the project moving without sacrificing product impact or scientific integrity.
• Act as the "creative glue" between technical leads and production teams (graphics, video, web), providing clear, inspired direction to ensure the vision is realized.
• Field requests from managers, mission leads, projects, and program offices, then ask the right questions to navigate stakeholder goals with limited guidance.
• Facilitate the feedback loop between creators and scientists, ensuring that technical accuracy and creative flair are perfectly balanced.
• Identify and clear creative or technical roadblocks independently, finding efficient paths to delivery in a fast-paced environment.
• Contribute to the creation of website and social content (writing, editing, producing), outreach events, and other communications products, as needed
• Translate complex technical milestones into compelling, creative narratives that resonate with audiences.
• Define, develop, and aggregate KPIs, and develop reports to communicate the value of our strategic communications efforts across the portfolio.
• Research industry best practices and provide ongoing improvements to communications programs and products.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in a fast-paced environment with responsibility for delivering concepts from inception through delivery.
• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Fine Arts, Science, or a related field.
• Proven ability to field undefined requests and action them in smaller tasks, and a track record of delivering impactful products on tight deadlines.
• Experience overseeing the production of varied assets including video, graphics, articles, experiential content, and others.
• Relentless focus on detail and strong design and storytelling instincts. Must be able to distinguish between "good" and "exceptional" products and know how to guide a creative team to get there.
• Genuine interest in and alignment with NASA's mission to explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery.
• Punctual, detail oriented, resourceful and a self-motivated individual.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working within a scientific, technical, or aerospace environment.
• A portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to take a complex topic and make it visually and narratively compelling.
• Ability to write messaging copy, long-form science articles, and other content at a professional level.
• Ability to think like a brand manager, concepting and driving impactful campaigns to elevate NASA and JPL projects and programs in the information environment.
• Familiarity with common creative and project management tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Pro), Airtable, and social media platforms.

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee's start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.