The Work Bee is a small, microfusion-powered utility craft that has been in continuous service with Starfleet since 2268. The basic pressure shell design has changed very little, though the interior systems have been periodically updated. The craft is capable of stand-alone operations dealing with inspection of spaceborne hardware, repairs, assembly, and other activities requiring remote manipulators. The Work Bee carries a single crew member, usually garbed in at least an emergency pressure suit to protect against accidental depressurization. In certain applications, a full Starfleet standard Extravechicular Work Garment (SEWG) is worn to allow the operator to be able to exit the craft, perform any work not possible with the manipulator system, and return for repressurization. The cockpit module measures 4.11 meters in length, 1.92 meters in height, 1.90 meters abeam, and has a mass of 1.68 metric tons.

The Work Bee was designed by Andrew Probert. The model was built at Magicam. INC. The Work Bee model was later resurrected for an appearance in the fourth-season opening credits for Deep Space Nine. The original yellow Work Bee first appeared in Star Trek The Motion Picture, and became gray and white for Deep Space Nine. In Star Trek Nemesis a slightly redesigned Work Bee can be seen operating in at a drydock station on the Enterprise-E.