Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

2026 Graduate - Control, Actuation, and Test Systems Engineer

Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field
  • Foundational understanding of active and passive electronics
  • Motivated to design and build electromechanical hardware
  • Strong interpersonal skills for teamwork and independent work
  • Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational abilities
  • Familiarity with engineering design tools like MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, and PSpice
  • Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

  • Design and operate test equipment and data systems for automated tests
  • Develop, conduct, and evaluate hardware test plans and procedures
  • Simulate and validate electromechanical actuation system models
  • Participate in the design and testing of electromechanical fixtures for missiles
  • Analyze test data and communicate findings in presentations
  • Support integrated product teams in developing aerospace control systems

Benefits

  • Collaborative work environment with a talented engineering team
  • Opportunities to tackle complex engineering challenges
  • Engagement in cutting-edge aerospace technology
  • Potential for professional growth in the aerospace field
  • Experience in both laboratory and practical application settings
Full Job Description
Description

Are you passionate about inventing creative solutions to complex engineering challenges? Do you enjoy integrating electromechanical devices and want to work on modern aerospace systems? If so, we'd love to have you as part of our team!

We are seeking a creative, hardworking engineer to help develop actuation solutions for advanced aerospace control challenges. You'll join a talented team of engineers who collaboratively tackle hard problems in controls, actuation, and electronics.

As a Control, Actuation, and Test Engineer, you will...
  • Design, configure, program, and operate special test equipment, data acquisition and control equipment, and sensors to automate test execution and collect data in laboratory tests
  • Develop hardware test plans and procedures, conduct tests, and evaluate test data in support of control actuation and electrical power systems, including performance characterization and model validation
  • Build, simulate, and validate high-fidelity electromechanical actuation system models using experimental data and hardware analysis
  • Participate in the design, integration, and test of prototype electromechanical fixtures used to test and evaluate missile control actuation systems
  • Analyze flight and ground test data and communicate findings through technical presentations and memoranda
  • Support external integrated product teams in the design, development, test, and evaluation of aerospace control actuation systems

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Hold a bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
  • Have a foundational understanding of active and passive electronics
  • Are motivated to design and build electrical and mechanical hardware, including actuation systems
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and on multidisciplinary teams
  • Exhibit excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
  • Are familiar with computer-aided engineering design and analysis tools, such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, and PSpice
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Top Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret 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.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually

About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a research and development organization that provides solutions to national security and scientific challenges. The laboratory was founded in 1942 and is located in Laurel, Maryland. APL is a division of the Johns Hopkins University and is a not-for-profit organization. The laboratory has expertise in a variety of areas, including space exploration, national security, and healthcare.
Learn more about Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1942

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