NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory lays off 550 workers

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California announced that it will cut around 550 jobs — around 10% of its staff.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced Monday that it will cut around 550 jobs — around 10% of its staff.

In a statement posted online, the lab’s director, Dave Gallagher, said the layoffs are part of a broad “realignment of its workforce” and not a result of the government shutdown.

The cuts will affect positions across the NASA center’s technical, business and support areas, he said.

“This week’s action, while not easy, is essential to securing JPL’s future by creating a leaner infrastructure, focusing on our core technical capabilities, maintaining fiscal discipline, and positioning us to compete in the evolving space ecosystem — all while continuing to deliver on our vital work for NASA and the nation,” he said.

Gallagher added that employees will be notified about their statuses Tuesday.