Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

2026 PhD Graduate - System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab$105K — $245K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD in applied math, applied statistics, physics, engineering, or a closely related field
  • Proficient in scientific programming with languages like C++, MATLAB, or Python
  • Excellent technical written and oral communication skills
  • Willingness to travel occasionally for meetings and sponsor sites
  • Capability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance and ultimately a Top Secret level clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Learn principles of inertial navigation systems and analyze data from flight tests to estimate physics-based errors
  • Study dynamics of missile and reentry systems and evaluate data to assess system accuracy
  • Evaluate current weapon systems and support design of future systems for mission success
  • Utilize AI, machine learning, and data fusion for advanced analytical problems
  • Develop software and vehicle dynamics models for mission planning and prototype weapon systems
  • Create operational concepts for new weapons leveraging estimation and optimization advancements
  • Collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams to analyze nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems.

Benefits

  • Generous education assistance program
  • Unparalleled retirement contributions
  • Promotes a healthy work/life balance
  • Vibrant and inclusive workplace culture
  • Opportunities for professional growth and connection.
Full Job Description
Description

Are you interested in applying your STEM background to strategic deterrence and defense?

Are you interested in defining methodologies that will be used for mission planning and test and evaluation of current and future weapon systems?

Do you like contributing to complex efforts that require team-based approaches?

If you have a PhD in math, physics, engineering, or computer science, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

The System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning Group is seeking Weapon System Analysts and Software Engineers to assess the planning and evaluation the nation's primary strategic deterrents. You will be joining a hardworking team of engineers, physicists, and mathematicians who are passionate about their role as an independent evaluator for the nation's strategic systems. We strive to foster an environment of innovation and learning to develop the critical technologies and experts of the future.

As an analyst in the System Modeling & Estimation groupyou may work on one or more of the following...
  • Learn about the principals of inertial navigation systems, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, and leverage data collected during flight tests and ground tests to estimate the underlying, physics-based errors in these systems.
  • Learn about the dynamics of missile systems, reentry systems, and their associated fuzing mechanisms, and leverage data collected during flight tests and ground tests to estimate the underlying, physics-based errors in these systems.
  • Evaluate system-level accuracy of current strategic weapon systems and support the design and engineering of future systems to meet mission needs
  • Apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data fusion methodologies to complex, real-world problems and build robust computational frameworks to support advanced data-centric analyses
  • Advance the state of the art in mission planning by developing software and implementing vehicle dynamics models for new and prototype weapon systems
  • Develop operational concepts for new weapon systems that leverage advances in estimation and optimization
  • Function as part of a multi-disciplinary team to analyze the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and structures

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Possess a PhD in applied math, applied statistics, physics, engineering, or a closely related field
  • Are skilled in scientific programming using a high-level language, such as C++, MATLAB, or Python
  • Possess outstanding technical written and oral communication skills
  • Are willing and able to occasionally travel to meetings and sponsor sites
  • Are able to acquire an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a final Top 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 exceed our minimum requirements with experience in any of the following...
  • Statistical analysis, parameter estimation and inverse problems, Kalman filtering, or maximum likelihood estimation using Fisher information
  • Optimal control, numerical optimization, and trajectory design
  • Prior experience with tactical or strategic missile systems
  • Prior experience with inertial navigation systems
  • Have expertise in High Energy Particle Physics, Thermal Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Weapon Effects, or Plasma Physics
  • Hold an active Secret or higher level clearance


Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 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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