JPL campus (Photo – jpl.nasa.gov).
The director of JPL, Laurie Leshin announced, on November 13, 2024, that 325 employees, or 5% of the lab’s workforce, will be laid off due to continuous funding challenges for fiscal year 2025.
By Nicolas Perez
The lack of adequate budget at Jet Propulsion Lab has necessitated a second extensive workforce reduction in one year. The layoffs will affect technology, project, business, and support teams, following a thorough review of future mission needs and how to fund them. On the day of the layoffs, employees were instructed to work remotely, with a virtual meeting with all personnel scheduled to provide details and an outline of the notification process, which will be conducted in stages.
Director Leshin expressed gratitude for the crucial contributions of those who will be departing and emphasized the Jet Propulsion Lab’s strength in navigating this trying time. She stressed that these actions aim to stabilize the workforce at 5,500 employees, positioning the lab for a more sustainable operation in the future. While acknowledging recent leadership changes at NASA, Leshin clarified that the decision was independent of any political developments that have occurred recently. She urged her colleagues to support one another and affirmed her faith in JPL’s strong legacy and its capacity to surmount all challenges while continuing its mission of exploration and discovery in our solar system and beyond.
Rep. Chu’s response
Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), whose district includes JPL and Caltech, released the following statement:
“I’m once again disappointed with hundreds of JPL layoffs announced today, coming on the heels of hundreds of others earlier this year, and my thoughts are with the dedicated, experienced workers who will be impacted. I have been a steadfast champion of JPL as a national asset which has helped us accomplish some of the greatest feats in space and science for decades. Every layoff devastates the uniquely talented workers and their loved ones and threatens future scientific discoveries.
NASA Science missions continue to unlock some of the greatest questions humankind has, inspire the world, and demonstrate American leadership in technology. We must work to accomplish the highest priorities of the Decadal Surveys, and Congress must unite to support our national assets, people, and missions that enable these discoveries. It is my sincerest hope that the layoffs will cease with stable funding moving forward, and I’m helping lead the fight with my colleagues in Congress to ensure we provide the necessary funding in upcoming spending bills to fully support our vital missions and promote the kinds of scientific discovery JPL has been on the frontlines of.”
In February 2024, Rep. Chu expressed similar extreme disappointment with the previous layoffs of 530 JPL employees.
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