The Jet Propulsion Laboratory unit of NASA said Monday that it will lay off about 550 employees — 11% of JPL's workforce — as part of a restructuring.

The job cuts "are not related to the current government shutdown," JPL Director Dave Gallagher said in a message to the unit that was posted on the lab's website.

JPL is a research and development lab funded by NASA — the federal space agency — and managed by the California Institute of Technology.

"While not easy, I believe that taking these actions now will help the Lab transform at the scale and pace necessary to help achieve humanity's boldest ambitions in space," Gallagher wrote in a separate mekor to JPL employees and contractors.

Gallagher, in the public announcement, noted that the reorganization of JPL began in July, and "over the past few months, we have communicated openly with employees about the challenges and hard choices ahead."

"This week's action, while not easy, is essential to securing JPL's future by creating a leaner infrastructure, focusing on our core technical capabilities, maintaining fiscal discipline, and positioning us to compete in the evolving space ecosystem — all while continuing to deliver on our vital work for NASA and the nation," Gallagher wrote.

Gallagher said that JPL employees will be notified of their status on Tuesday, and the "new Lab structure ... will become effective Wednesday."