Executive Leadership Opportunities 

At NASA, we are united by a shared purpose to lead the agency towards meeting its mission. Our strong leadership cadre supports and empowers NASA employees to explore the unknown in air and space, innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery.

NASA has three executive career paths: Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior Leaders (SL), and Scientific and Professional (ST) positions. 

• Senior Executive Service  (SES)
  • The leaders who make up the SES oversee nearly every government activity across each federal agency, including NASA. These leaders possess well-honed executive skills and share a broad perspective on government and a public service commitment that is grounded in the Constitution. For additional information about SES, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Senior Executive Service (SES) website. 

• Senior Leader (SL)
  • NASA executives who serve in SL positions are critical technical leaders, including center or program chief engineers and launch directors. For additional information about SL positions, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Senior-Level (SL) & Scientific and Professional (ST) Positions webpage. 

• Scientific and Professional  (ST)
  • The NASA executives who serve in ST positions are recognized as world-renowned researchers in physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences. For additional information about ST positions, visit the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Senior-Level (SL) & Scientific and Professional (ST) Positions webpage. 

Application Process

Applicants can search for SES positions or ST and SL positions on USAJOBS. You may also save your USAJOBS search to be automatically notified of new opportunities. 
 
All applicants need to submit a resume (two pages maximum) that clearly demonstrates the associated criteria: 

• SES resumes must clearly demonstrate the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and the Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) required for the position.   

• SL and ST resumes must address NASA’s SL or ST evaluation criteria.

The “How to Apply” section of each vacancy announcements provides details on the application procedures. You can learn more about the application processes on the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) SES Selection Process webpage.  

SL Evaluation Criteria

1. Technical Competence and Leadership

Led technical/discipline teams to advance or enable state-of-the-art solutions in science, engineering, or mission enabling functions. Developed or implemented innovative methodologies or technologies to solve complex scientific, engineering or mission enabling problems. Led or supported collaborative partnerships with industry, academic, or government organizations to advance scientific, engineering, or mission enabling technical capabilities at national or international levels. 

2. Professional Contributions and Influence  

Leveraged expertise and integration skills to resolve technical/discipline challenges for complex systems. Demonstrated impact in technical discipline to solve issues or improve operational effectiveness. Chaired or presented at professional conference sessions or technical forums to share expertise and influence field development. Developed or mentored students or professional practitioners in scientific, engineering or mission enabling communities. Shared technical knowledge or innovations that were adopted by outside organizations with documented results.  

ST Evaluation Criteria  

1. Technical Competence and Leadership

Led research teams to advance or enable state-of-the-art solutions in science or engineering. Authored peer-reviewed publications or equivalent as an established expert that contributed to scientific or engineering advancement. Developed innovative methodologies or technologies to solve complex scientific or engineering problems. Initiated and maintained collaborative partnerships with industry, academic, or government organizations to advance scientific or engineering technical capabilities at national or international levels. 

2. Professional Contributions and Influence  

Demonstrated impact in technical discipline to solve technical issues or improve operational effectiveness. Chaired or presented at professional conference sessions or technical forum to share expertise and influence field development. Developed or mentored students or professional practitioners in scientific or engineering communities. Shared technical knowledge or innovations that were adopted by outside organizations with documented results.