Working at JPL

In 1957, JPL built and helped launch into orbit the first U.S. satellite, Explorer 1. Did you know that since then they've visited every planet in our solar system? What a great place to spend the summer!

Caltech's Student-Faculty Programs Office provides administrative support for the following JPL programs: SURF@JPL, NASA Space Grant, JPL SIP, Europa ICONS, and CSU STAR. If you need help or support, you can contact us at sfp@caltech.edu or your JPL program manager.

Start Date Information
For visiting students starting before June 16, please follow start date instructions provided by your program manager. If you are moving into Caltech housing, you will be able to move in on June 17 between 3:00 - 5:00 pm at the Housing Check-in, Center for Student Services lawn.

For students starting on June 16
11:00 am, Luggage Drop-off, Center for Student Services. Students moving into campus and arriving early will be able drop-off their luggage for safekeeping while they take care of business.
1:00 - 3:00 pm, Check-in, Center for Student Services. Caltech and visiting students will need to attend to take care of hiring processes.
2:00 - 5:00 pm, Housing Check-in, Center for Student Services. For visiting students moving into campus housing.

Tuesday, June 17 - 3:00 - 5:00 pm, Student/Family Engagement Resource Fair, Location TBD. A bus will be made available to those wanting to come from JPL to attend.

For students starting after June 16, please follow Day 1 instructions that will be sent to you.

ALL STUDENTS living at Caltech will be required to attend a mandatory orientation hosted by the Office of Student Experience on June 18 at 6pm in (Hameetman Multi-purpose Room on the 2nd floor of Hameetman Center.)

JPL Student Portal: If you are working at JPL this summer, the Student Portal contains everything you need to know. Be sure to bookmark this page.
JPL Student Programs Calendar: This calendar highlights all the exciting opportunities for students at JPL.

Transportation
Parking is available at JPL; info here. Students living at Caltech and working at JPL will be provided a pre-loaded METRO TAP card. Students living at Caltech can take the Pasadena Transit #53 bus to and from JPL. The #53 departs Caltech (Wilson Ave. & Del Mar Blvd.) every half hour from 5:50am-8:56am and from JPL to Caltech from 3:15pm-6:50pm.