NASA is accepting applications for its next flight-director class through October 12, 2026. Apply through the USAJOBS vacancy announcement and submit the complete application by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. The opening is based at Johnson Space Center in Houston, and applicants need to meet the announcement’s education and grade-specific experience requirements.
What NASA flight directors do
Flight directors lead the multidisciplinary teams responsible for planning and executing human-spaceflight missions in real time. They coordinate flight controllers, astronauts, engineers, safety teams, and commercial and international partners, making sure operational plans align with spacecraft capabilities and mission objectives.
The job includes setting mission objectives and flight plans, establishing mission rules, assessing risk before and during flight, responding to contingencies, certifying readiness, and training flight-control teams and crew. NASA’s current announcement says flight directors will lead missions to the International Space Station and Moon-bound Artemis missions, with human Mars missions among the longer-term horizon. See NASA’s October 2, 2026 announcement.
Who can apply
The current vacancy is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and people who owe allegiance to the United States. NASA’s FAQ says applicants need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or mathematics, along with substantial related, progressively responsible professional experience. The work calls for time-critical decisions in high-stress, high-risk environments. Previous NASA flight-controller experience is not required.
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The degree list is not, by itself, enough to establish eligibility. The vacancy announcement defines the education and experience standards that control for this opening. It specifies ABET accreditation for U.S. engineering programs, coursework rules for science and computer-science degrees, and circumstances in which graduate education, exceptional relevant experience, or foreign credentials may be considered. Review its education section and provide the requested evidence.
How the GS-14 and GS-15 requirements differ
The announcement offers two grades. Each requires at least one year of specialized experience at the next lower federal grade, or equivalent experience, but the scope of the required work differs.
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| Grade | Minimum experience level | What the announcement asks applicants to demonstrate |
|---|---|---|
| GS-14 | One year equivalent to GS-13 | Relevant technical operations and risk decisions; integration of ground, crew, and spacecraft capabilities; mission planning or execution; and coalition-building. |
| GS-15 | One year equivalent to GS-14 | Leadership of technical operations; technical and team leadership through planning, procedures, training, or real-time execution; and work across stakeholder organizations. |
These are specialized-experience standards, not simply time-in-career thresholds. Explain your own relevant work with enough detail for reviewers to assess it against the grade you select. NASA lists Mission Assurance, Mission Execution, Problem Solving, Technical Competence, and Decision Making as assessment competencies.
How to apply to the current opening
- Read the live announcement. Open USAJOBS vacancy 886788000 and confirm that it is still accepting applications. Check the grade, qualifications, education rules, questionnaire, and any updates before submitting.
- Prepare the required documents. The package includes a resume of no more than two pages, a transcript showing the education requirement, and the completed online application and vacancy questionnaire.
- Make your resume specific and consistent. Include dates for your experience and describe in your own words how your work meets the specialized-experience requirements. NASA warns that copied experience statements may be treated as plagiarism and could lead to disqualification. Your resume and supporting documents will be compared with your questionnaire responses; overstating qualifications can remove you from consideration.
- Submit the complete package online. The listed duty location is Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. The job is full-time, permanent, GS-14/15, and not remote. The announcement lists a salary range of $145,052–$197,200 per year for this vacancy; posted pay may change. Mission operations can involve nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Meet the deadline. Submit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 12, 2026. This announcement does not accept application materials by fax, email, or mail.
What happens after selection
NASA says selections are planned for announcement by the end of 2026. Selected candidates receive technical instruction across spacecraft systems, extensive simulations, on-the-job assignments, and mentoring from senior flight directors. Initial certification can take up to 16 months, followed by continuing learning as missions evolve.
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Flight directors are based at Johnson Space Center. Training and daily work can include activities such as Neutral Buoyancy Lab work and operating on console in Mission Control. NASA’s flight-director FAQ provides further information about the role and training.
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Application checklist
- Confirm you meet the citizenship, education, and specialized-experience requirements in the live announcement.
- Choose the grade whose requirements your documented experience supports.
- Keep the resume within the two-page limit and include dated, original descriptions of relevant work.
- Include the required transcript and complete the questionnaire accurately.
- Submit the complete application online before the stated Eastern Time deadline.
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