Scientists and engineers work across a wide range of career pathways throughout the STEM fields including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics, robotics, computer science and more. Explore the different types of STEM careers here and see what kind of opportunities might ignite your curiosity!
Select a topic to learn about STEM careers
STEM Careers at the Department of Defense
The Department of Defense (DoD) provides opportunities for students, parents, educators, and its workforce to use creativity and skills to accelerate innovation in leading-edge technologies.
Discovery & Innovation at DoD
The DoD cultivates a collaborative environment where its workforce leads the DoD’s modernization efforts in advanced manufacturing, robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and more.
Meet Innovators From Across the DoD
DoD Civilian Careers
There are people who work for the DoD that do not serve in the military. They are called “civilians” (also known as nonmilitary government employees). Many serve in their roles as innovators and problem-solvers of real-world challenges.
DoD Mentorship
Over 150,000 scientists and engineers working at the DoD serve as mentors each year to students and the current workforce. Many of these mentors do so outside of their assigned roles and responsibilities. The reason? To inspire and encourage the current and future generation of leaders in STEM fields.
View Opportunities for Educators and Volunteers
Visit the DoD Mentoring Resource Portal
What Can You Do with a Career in STEM?
Dr. Abigail Juhl
Materials Research Engineer
Research scientist Abigail Juhl says a sixth-grade teacher and the Science Olympiad spurred her lifelong love of science into a career focused on controlling mechanical waves for the Air Force.
Amber Luo
DoD STEM Scholar
Amber Luo, the DoD STEM Scholar with the Center for Excellence in Education’s Research Science Institute, is passionate about the intersection of math and biology and loves to explore how math can help solve biological problems.
Isabella Quan
DoD STEM Scholar
DoD STEM Scholar Isabella Quan was chosen by her Research Science Institute peers (RSI) for the top honor Rickoid of the Year—at the Center for Excellence in Education’s (CEE) 38th annual Research Science Institute, an intensive, six-week summer program for high-school students collaboratively sponsored by CEE and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
