Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Senior Digital Systems Engineer

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

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or related field.
  • At least seven years of systems engineering experience with complex systems or systems-of-systems.
  • Two years of practical MBSE experience, specifically with UAF and UML/SysML modeling.
  • Strong communication skills to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to work in secure environments and travel to various sites when necessary.
  • Must be eligible for a U.S. government security clearance, requiring U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

  • Lead systems engineering efforts to translate warfighter needs into mission architectures.
  • Develop digital models, including MBSE models for mission architectures and complex systems.
  • Design digital engineering workflows and reusable model patterns for APL and sponsors.
  • Architect mission-critical systems focusing on scalability, resilience, performance, and security.
  • Ensure compliance with systems and mission engineering practices, including documentation and risk management.
  • Collaborate with various stakeholders to deliver mission-relevant solutions.
  • Provide technical mentorship and leadership within the engineering team.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to directly impact national security and defense initiatives.
  • Collaborative environment with government, industry, and academic partners.
  • Professional development and mentorship opportunities in advanced engineering.
  • Exposure to high-visibility defense programs and leadership engagement.
Full Job Description
Description

Are you eager to architect and deliver robust, scalable, and secure systems that enable real operational decisions for warfighters?

Are you excited to directly impact the nation's most challenging defense problems?

Are you passionate about large, mission-critical systems, digital engineering, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and mission engineering?

The Mission Engineering Group of the Force Projection Sector at JHU/APL is seeking a Senior Digital Systems Engineer to help lead the technical vision, architecture, and implementation of mission-centered, model-based capabilities that advance augmented human decision making.

As a Senior Digital Systems Engineer within the Mission Engineering Group, you will...
  • Lead mission-focused systems and digital engineering efforts by applying systems thinking and mission engineering to translate warfighter needs into mission architectures and system requirements.
  • Lead the development and promotion of digital models, including Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) models (e.g., SysML/UAF), of mission and system architectures for the design and implementation of complex systems and systems-of-systems critical to the warfighter.
  • Design and refine digital engineering workflows, integrations, and reusable model patterns for APL and our sponsors.
  • Architect and guide implementation of mission-critical systems with a focus on scalability, resilience, performance, and security.
  • Ensure rigorous systems and mission engineering practices, including reviews, documentation, model governance, and risk management.
  • Collaborate with APL teams, government sponsors, warfighters, and industry partners to deliver mission-relevant solutions.
  • Engage with senior government, industry, and national laboratory leadership on fast-paced, high-visibility defense programs.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers, helping shape engineering culture and best practices.
  • Document and present your results to project leads, sponsors, and technical workshops, conferences, and pivotal decision makers.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Hold at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related technical field.
  • Have at least seven years of relevant systems engineering lifecycle experience with complex systems or systems-of-systems.
  • Have at least two years of practical MBSE experience developing mission architectures using UAF, with hands-on UML/SysML/UAF modeling in tools such as Cameo/MagicDraw, Rhapsody, or Sparx EA, and the ability to link operational needs to system capabilities using the mission engineering process.
  • Communicate clearly in writing and verbally, and can explain complex technical concepts to wide-ranging audiences.
  • Are willing and able to work a portion of the time in secure, closed areas and travel occasionally to government sites and contractor facilities (local and non-local).
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI 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 a master's or doctorate degree in systems engineering, engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or another related technical field.
  • Have at least ten years of experience performing systems engineering in the design, development, and/or evaluation of complex systems or systems-of-systems.
  • Have deep digital engineering/MBSE expertise (e.g., broad tooling knowledge, Cameo/MagicDraw API, tool integration, digital ecosystem interoperability, Python/Java for MBSE).
  • Have led large or multi-team engineering efforts, providing architectural direction and driving adoption of digital engineering and MBSE across organizations.
  • Have relevant Object Management Group (OMG) or other systems engineering certifications.
  • Have experience with tool integration, digital connectors, or digital ecosystem interoperability (e.g., connecting MBSE tools with requirements, simulation, test, or configuration management tools).
  • Have programming experience in Python and/or Java, particularly in support of MBSE, data processing, or tool integration.
  • Are experienced with DevSecOps toolchains (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Terraform, Ansible, Docker, Kubernetes, SAST/DAST tools) and can describe advanced digital engineering and development ecosystems.
  • Bring prior experience in defense, intelligence, or related mission domains, including working with operational users and/or in classified environments.
  • Have experience leading mission engineering efforts that span all disciplines described in the Mission Engineering Guide.
  • Hold an active TS/SCI level security clearance.

#LI-AG1

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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