Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

2027 Graduate - Missile, Reentry, and Hypersonics Systems Performance

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related field
  • Passion for missile modeling, aerodynamics, and flight dynamics
  • Experience coding in MATLAB or Python
  • Initiative for skill development and ability to accept varied assignments
  • Interim Secret level security clearance with eligibility for Top Secret clearance

Responsibilities

  • Develop and use modeling and simulation tools for missile and reentry systems
  • Participate in test operations and pre/post flight evaluations
  • Collaborate with teams to advise on engineering challenges
  • Produce reports and presentations for team and government partners

Benefits

  • Collaborative and mission-driven work environment
  • Opportunities for engaging and stimulating projects
  • Value communication, trust, integrity, and flexibility among team members
Full Job Description
Description

If you are graduating with a degree in aerospace or mechanical engineering and want to gain experience with the modeling & simulation, test & evaluation, or concept development of strategic missile, reentry, and hypersonic systems we'd love to have you join our team!

The Flight Systems Performance Group (KFM) is a multidisciplinary organization that brings deep, specialized expertise in the test & evaluation, systems engineering, reliability assessment, and performance analysis of strategic flight systems. Our staff combines decades of hands-on experience in ballistic missile and hypersonic test operations with a collaborative, mission-driven culture. We achieve this through thorough test planning and execution, providing independent evaluation and trusted performance assessment for our sponsors. We collaborate across the Strategic Deterrence Mission Area, translating complex challenges into data-driven insights. We maintain a high tempo of flight test operational support, including independent reviews, planning, and telemetry evaluation, ensuring technical rigor informs system performance.

We are seeking engineers to help us with the technical challenges associated with the missile and reentry systems deployed as part of our Nation's premiere strategic ballistic missile and long range strike hypersonic weapons systems. As a member of our team, you'll be making critical contributions to ensure the effectiveness of these systems, which typically contain nuclear warheads and are an integral part of the Nation's strategic deterrent. We are passionate about innovation and our team is committed to providing engaging and stimulating work. We strive to foster an environment of collaboration where everyone's perspective is valued. Our team values communication, trust, integrity, and flexibility.

As a member of our team...
  • You will develop and utilize modeling and simulation tools to conduct trade studies, performance assessments, and conceptual design studies of missile and reentry systems and/or hypersonic vehicles
  • You will participate in test and evaluation activities to include test operations and pre/post flight evaluations
  • You will collaborate with cross-discipline teams to advise government and industry partners on engineering challenges and design trades
  • You will produce reports and presentations to communicate findings to team members and government partners

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline
  • Have a passion for an engineering discipline such as missile modeling and simulation, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, missile guidance, navigation, and control, propulsion, optimization, mechanical design, and/or test and evaluation
  • Have prior experience coding and using MATLAB or Python
  • Have initiative, interest in skill development, and the flexibility to accept assignments of varied scope and skill
  • Have an Interim Secret level security clearance and can ultimately obtain a 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 go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have previous experience with Navy and/or Air Force strategic missile or reentry systems
  • Have experience programming in Simulink and/or C/C++
  • Have experience with software version control in GIT, GitLab, or equivalent
  • Have experience using optimal control software packages such as OTIS, POST or GPOPS
  • Have experience developing 3DoF and/or 6DoF simulations

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

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar 2027 Graduate - Missile, Reentry, and Hypersonics Systems Performance jobs: