Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Low-Speed Propulsion Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab$100K — $245K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in propulsion system design, analysis, or testing.
  • Expertise in propulsion fundamentals, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
  • Experience with modeling tools like NPSS, CFD, MATLAB, or Python.
  • Strong ability to work independently and in teams, delivering technical results.
  • Excellent communication skills for briefing sponsors and documenting findings.
  • Ability to obtain a Secret level security clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Responsibilities

  • Lead analysis and design for low-speed propulsion applications.
  • Design and oversee experimental campaigns including wind tunnel tests.
  • Develop and validate propulsion system models for assessments.
  • Mentor junior engineers in propulsion principles and practices.
  • Present technical findings and recommendations to various stakeholders.
  • Contribute to innovative research in advanced and hybrid propulsion technologies.
  • Utilize modeling tools for performance assessments and design studies.

Benefits

  • Generous education assistance program.
  • Unparalleled retirement contributions.
  • Healthy work/life balance.
  • Inclusive and vibrant team culture.
  • Opportunity to work on critical defense and security challenges.
Full Job Description
Are you interested in the development and evaluation of low-speed propulsion? Do you enjoy solving challenging problems with a complementary team of engineers? We are seeking an experienced Low-Speed Propulsion Engineer with experience in propulsion system design, testing, and analysis. In this role, you will lead and contribute to the development, modeling, and experimental evaluation of propulsion concepts operating in subsonic and transonic regimes. You'll serve as a technical contributor and mentor, providing subject-matter expertise in propulsion fundamentals while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex problems that directly support national defense missions. As a low-speed propulsion engineer, you will... - Lead propulsion analysis and design efforts for low-speed applications, including cycle analysis, performance modeling, and integration studies. - Design, plan, and oversee experimental campaigns, including wind tunnel tests, ground-based propulsion experiments, and hardware evaluations. - Develop, refine, and validate propulsion system models for use in design trades and system-level assessments. - Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance in propulsion fundamentals and experimental best practices. - Present technical findings and recommendations to sponsors, stakeholders, and leadership. - Contribute to innovative research initiatives in advanced propulsion technologies, air-breathing systems, and hybrid propulsion concepts. - Utilize propulsion modeling tools to conduct trade studies, performance assessments, and conceptual design studies of various weapon systems. Qualifications You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you... - Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field. - 5+ years of professional experience in propulsion system design, analysis, or testing. - Demonstrated expertise in propulsion fundamentals, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics. - Experience with propulsion modeling and simulation tools (e.g., NPSS, CFD codes, MATLAB, Python). - Strong track record of delivering technical results independently and as part of a collaborative team. - Excellent communication skills with the ability to brief sponsors and document results. - Are able to obtain a Secret level security 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... - Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering. - Experience leading propulsion test campaigns, including facility coordination, test article design, and data analysis. - Familiarity with multiple propulsion speed regimes to include solid rocket motors, ramjets and scramjets. - Working knowledge of uncertainty quantification, experimental methods, and system-level trade studies. - Active DoD Secret or higher 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

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