NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is laying off approximately 550 employees as part of a workforce reorganization, unrelated to the ongoing government shutdown, to position itself for future success amid potential funding reductions and strategic restructuring.
Employees at California's Jet Propulsion Laboratory face potential layoffs due to ongoing U.S. government shutdown and uncertain NASA budget allocations, with the number of layoffs still unclear but possibly affecting thousands of staff, as the agency's future remains uncertain amid political budget disputes.
JPL employees received a warning that up to 4,000 of the 5,500 staff could be laid off by October 15, 2025, amid a Phase Two reorganization, with mandatory return to office policies for teleworkers. Employees are also asked to update their personal contact information in Workday to stay connected during this period.