Contractor to Civil Servant: Jared Spiers Joins NASA Workforce

Jared Spiers transitioned from a contractor to a NASA civil servant at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, following a career path shaped by family ties to the space program and technical education.

A Lifelong Connection to NASA

Growing up near NASA's Stennis Space Center and hearing about his father's work inspired Jared Spiers to pursue a career with the agency from an early age. After graduating from Pearl River Community College in 2017 with associate degrees in instrumentation, electronics, and electrical technology, Spiers immediately began working at Stennis as a contractor on the Monday following his graduation.

• Education: Pearl River Community College (2017)
• Degrees: Instrumentation, electronics, and electrical technology
• Initial Role: Contractor at NASA Stennis

Contributions to Artemis and Commercial Partnerships

During his time as a contractor, Spiers contributed to key propulsion testing infrastructure. He worked at the Thad Cochran Test Stand (B-1/B-2), preparing the historic facility for the Green Run test series of the Space Launch System (SLS) core stage ahead of the Artemis I flight. His hands-on technical work supported subsequent preparations leading up to the Artemis II mission.

In June 2026, Spiers transitioned into a civil servant role as an electrical engineering technician under a NASA workforce directive aimed at restoring core competencies. His current duties include 12-hour shifts preparing the test stand for stage testing of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket under a commercial partnership supporting lunar exploration goals.

Technical Duties and Family Legacy

Spiers' daily responsibilities as an electrical engineering technician require meticulous attention to detail to ensure accurate data collection during fast-paced operations. His tasks involve:

• Running conduit and cabling
• Connecting data-collecting instruments
• Ensuring proper operation of motor valves
• Maintaining operational facility electronics

NASA has become a family tradition for the Spiers household. His father, Joey Spiers, also transitioned from a longtime contractor to a NASA civil servant, and his brother-in-law, Brock Sheppard, joined the agency as a mechanical engineering technician. Spiers also engages with the community, sharing his career journey with students during NASA's Career Technical Education Day at Stennis.

Readers can verify official NASA workforce updates and announcements by visiting the official NASA Stennis Space Center website or checking agency news releases.