Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

GN&C Missile Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab$100K — $245K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics (or similar)
  • 2+ years relevant experience in estimation methods, covariance analysis, or inertial navigation
  • Interest in missile systems
  • Proficiency in Matlab or C++, with a willingness to learn Simulink
  • Ability to support occasional travel (<10%)
  • U.S. citizenship with eligibility for interim secret clearance

Responsibilities

  • Conduct GN&C subsystem trade studies and designs for missile systems
  • Develop and integrate 6 DOF models for missile performance prediction
  • Perform covariance analysis and pre/post-flight evaluations
  • Implement algorithm improvements based on performance assessments
  • Design and develop software for technical analyses and data product generation
  • Present findings at internal and external meetings

Benefits

  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge hypersonic and ballistic missile systems
  • Engagement with national defense initiatives
  • Support for professional growth and continuous learning
  • Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation
  • Access to technical leadership opportunities
Full Job Description
Description

Are you passionate about Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C)?

Do you enjoy modeling and analyzing inertial navigation systems and other sensors, and have experience with optimal fusion and estimation methodologies?

Are you interested in working on cutting edge next generation Hypersonic and Ballistic missile systems that are critical to the survivability of the United States?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a dedicated GN&C engineer, with an emphasis on Navigation, to design, model, and evaluate missile systems. These weapon systems come with an enormous GN&C challenge: They fly VERY fast with short time-constant nonlinear dynamics and require high accuracy even in GPS contested environments.

We as a nation need to rise to this challenge, and we need you to do it!

As a GN&C Missile Engineer, your primary responsibilities could include any combination of the following (depending on skills and interests)...
  • Conduct GN&C subsystem trade studies, designs, and analyses for next generation missile systems, including one or more of the following:
    • 6 DOF model development and integration
    • High-fidelity navigation optimal estimation algorithm design, primarily using Kalman Filters
    • Performance prediction
    • Both high fidelity (e.g. physics-based) and low fidelity (e.g. parameterized) sensor modeling
  • Assess the performance of existing missile GN&C subsystems, including one or more of the following:
    • Pre-flight performance prediction using 6 DOF models, covariance analysis, etc...
    • Post-flight performance evaluation by analyzing flight telemetry collected from sensors, including Inertial Measurement Units (IMU), Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, RADAR, and other sensor systems.
    • Develop, implement, and assess potential algorithm improvements
  • Design, develop, integrate, test, and use software to conduct technical analyses that inform APL's technical opinions and/or generate data products
  • Present work to a broad internal audience as well as Sponsors and external organizations at working groups, post-flight briefings, and program reviews.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Physics (or closely related technical field)
  • Have 2 or more years of relevant technical experience in one or more of the following areas:
    • Estimation Methods (Extended Kalman, Unscented, and/or Particle Filters)
    • Covariance Analysis
    • Inertial Navigation
    • Flight Dynamics
    • Control Law design
    • Guidance/path planning
  • Have an interest and willingness to work on missile systems
  • Have experience in Matlab or C++. Willingness to learn Simulink
  • Are willing and able to support occasional travel (< 10%) for Sponsor meetings
  • Are able to obtain an interim secret level security clearance by your start date 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 one of the following combinations of work experience and degree (in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or closely related technical field)
    • BS + 5 years, or
    • MS + 3 years, or
    • PhD
  • Prior work experience in Strategic weapon systems, including Hypersonic or Ballistic missile systems
  • Have demonstrated technical leadership of a team
  • Currently hold an active Secret or higher level clearance

Minimum Rate

$100,000 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

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar GN&C Missile Engineer jobs: