Are you curious about how complex aerospace systems work-and excited by the challenge of figuring out how they could be countered?

Our team works on some of the nation's most challenging defense problems. We study advanced air and missile systems-including cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles and autonomous aerial systems -to understand how they work, what they're capable of, and how new technologies could be used to defend against them.

You'll bring the engineering, science, mathematics, or computing skills you've developed in school. We'll help you learn how to apply those skills to real-world defense problems.

Depending on your background, that could mean using physics to simulate how a missile flies, writing software to simulate a system, analyzing data to figure out limits of a system's performance, or bringing multiple simulations together to understand how an entire engagement might unfold.

We want engineers and scientists who enjoy digging into a problem, questioning assumptions, learning unfamiliar technical subjects, and working with others to turn analysis into useful engineering insight. You'll join a multi-functional team that will help you develop both technical depth and a broader understanding of how different engineering subject areas come together to solve problems. 

Your primary responsibilities could include:

• Develop and use physics-based simulations to understand the performance of aerospace and missile systems
• Analyze cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles, autonomous aerial systems, and other systems to understand their capabilities and limitations
• Use engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, software, and data to answer questions about system performance
• Compare simulated predictions with data and continually improve the quality and usefulness of our products
• Learn how systems operate well enough to identify performance characteristics, limitations, and vulnerabilities
• Analyze how emerging defense technologies could perform against threats
• Help develop and evaluate concepts for defending against those systems
• Work with our team and across APL to connect our work into a larger system-level understanding
• Clearly communicate technical results, assumptions, uncertainties, and conclusions to teammates, technical leaders, programs, and sponsors
• Participate in reviews, experiments, test events, and other activities that connect analytical work to real-world engineering problems

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have, or will soon complete, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field
• Have experience using at least one programming or computational language such as MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Java, Rust, or similar
• Have strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills
• Enjoy learning how complex physical or engineered systems work
• Can communicate technical ideas and results effectively in both written and verbal settings
• Enjoy collaborating with engineers and scientists from different technical backgrounds
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have coursework, research, internship, capstone, or project experience involving modeling and simulation, aerospace systems, robotics, controls, physics-based modeling, or systems engineering
• Have experience with flight mechanics, aerodynamics, propulsion, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), estimation, controls, or related aerospace disciplines
• Have developed mathematical or physics-based models of real-world systems
• Have experience simulating the kinematic or dynamic performance of aerospace vehicles or other complex physical systems
• Have used MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools for simulation, data analysis, or scientific computing
• Have experience developing software or simulation tools as part of a technical project
• Have experience analyzing data and using it to validate, refine, or challenge a model
• Have participated in multidisciplinary technical projects involving software, hardware, modeling, experimentation, or systems analysis
• Have academic, research, internship, or professional exposure to missile systems, defense technologies, or related technical areas
• Currently hold, or are able to obtain, a Top Secret or TS/SCI level security clearance

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at .

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Are you curious about how complex aerospace systems work-and excited by the challenge of figuring out how they could be countered?

Our team works on some of the nation's most challenging defense problems. We study advanced air and missile systems-including cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles and autonomous aerial systems -to understand how they work, what they're capable of, and how new technologies could be used to defend against them.

You'll bring the engineering, science, mathematics, or computing skills you've developed in school. We'll help you learn how to apply those skills to real-world defense problems.

Depending on your background, that could mean using physics to simulate how a missile flies, writing software to simulate a system, analyzing data to figure out limits of a system's performance, or bringing multiple simulations together to understand how an entire engagement might unfold.

We want engineers and scientists who enjoy digging into a problem, questioning assumptions, learning unfamiliar technical subjects, and working with others to turn analysis into useful engineering insight. You'll join a multi-functional team that will help you develop both technical depth and a broader understanding of how different engineering subject areas come together to solve problems. 

Your primary responsibilities could include:

• Develop and use physics-based simulations to understand the performance of aerospace and missile systems
• Analyze cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles, autonomous aerial systems, and other systems to understand their capabilities and limitations
• Use engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, software, and data to answer questions about system performance
• Compare simulated predictions with data and continually improve the quality and usefulness of our products
• Learn how systems operate well enough to identify performance characteristics, limitations, and vulnerabilities
• Analyze how emerging defense technologies could perform against threats
• Help develop and evaluate concepts for defending against those systems
• Work with our team and across APL to connect our work into a larger system-level understanding
• Clearly communicate technical results, assumptions, uncertainties, and conclusions to teammates, technical leaders, programs, and sponsors
• Participate in reviews, experiments, test events, and other activities that connect analytical work to real-world engineering problems

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have, or will soon complete, a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical field
• Have experience using at least one programming or computational language such as MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Java, Rust, or similar
• Have strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills
• Enjoy learning how complex physical or engineered systems work
• Can communicate technical ideas and results effectively in both written and verbal settings
• Enjoy collaborating with engineers and scientists from different technical backgrounds
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have coursework, research, internship, capstone, or project experience involving modeling and simulation, aerospace systems, robotics, controls, physics-based modeling, or systems engineering
• Have experience with flight mechanics, aerodynamics, propulsion, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), estimation, controls, or related aerospace disciplines
• Have developed mathematical or physics-based models of real-world systems
• Have experience simulating the kinematic or dynamic performance of aerospace vehicles or other complex physical systems
• Have used MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or similar tools for simulation, data analysis, or scientific computing
• Have experience developing software or simulation tools as part of a technical project
• Have experience analyzing data and using it to validate, refine, or challenge a model
• Have participated in multidisciplinary technical projects involving software, hardware, modeling, experimentation, or systems analysis
• Have academic, research, internship, or professional exposure to missile systems, defense technologies, or related technical areas
• Currently hold, or are able to obtain, a Top Secret or TS/SCI level security clearance