JPL in Pasadena to Lay Off 325 Employees Amid Budget Cuts

About 5% of the Workforce Will Be Impacted by the Decision

The Layoffs Are Expected to Take Place in the Coming Months

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, will lay off 325 employees, about 5% of its workforce, amid budget cuts. The layoffs are expected to take place in the coming months.

JPL is a federally funded research and development center managed by the California Institute of Technology. It is home to about 6,000 employees and contractors.

The layoffs are part of a broader effort by NASA to cut costs. The agency is facing a budget shortfall of about $1 billion for the current fiscal year.

In a statement, JPL Director Michael Watkins said the layoffs are a "difficult but necessary" step.

"We are committed to minimizing the impact on our employees and their families," Watkins said. "We will provide them with severance packages and other support services."

The layoffs are expected to have a ripple effect on the local economy. JPL is one of the largest employers in Pasadena.

Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek said he is "deeply concerned" about the layoffs.

"JPL is a vital part of our community," Tornek said. "These layoffs will have a significant impact on our local economy."

The layoffs are the latest in a series of budget cuts at NASA. In 2019, the agency announced plans to lay off 1,200 employees.

NASA is facing a number of challenges, including the rising cost of space exploration and the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts.

Despite the challenges, NASA remains committed to its mission of space exploration.

In a statement, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said, "We are confident that we can overcome these challenges and continue to lead the world in space exploration."