Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

Senior Ocean Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab$100K — $245K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience in maritime systems.
  • 10+ years of experience in leading engineering and R&D initiatives in the maritime domain.
  • Track record of establishing technical vision and delivering innovative solutions.
  • Experience in developing technical strategies and engaging government sponsors.
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with senior leadership experience.
  • Ability to translate emerging mission needs into technical programs.
  • Active Secret security clearance with eligibility for Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Shape the technical direction of ocean systems portfolio.
  • Provide leadership across maritime and undersea warfare initiatives.
  • Build trusted relationships for new technical collaborations.
  • Guide teams from concept development to technology transition.
  • Develop technical roadmaps and strategic proposals.
  • Integrate expertise across the organization to solve operational challenges.
  • Mentor engineers and foster technical excellence.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for mentorship and professional development.
  • Involvement in high-impact maritime research and development.
  • Collaboration with multidisciplinary technical teams.
  • Exposure to advanced technologies in the defense sector.
Full Job Description
Description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of maritime systems and undersea
warfare?
Do you thrive at the intersection of technical innovation and strategy?Are you looking for an opportunity to influence technical direction while leading
multidisciplinary technical teams tackling the Navy's most challenging problems in
the maritime domain?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our Ocean Systems and Engineering
Group at APL.

We are seeking a Senior Ocean Engineer to serve as a senior engineer and lead across our
maritime portfolio. This position is intended for an engineer who combines deep
technical expertise with strategic vision-someone who can recognize emerging
operational needs, formulate innovative technical approaches, build enduring internal and
external relationships, and help shape the long-term investments in maritime
advancements.

Working across multiple programs and technical organizations, you will help define
technical priorities, guide complex engineering efforts, mentor technical staff, and
translate operational challenges into impactful research and development programs that
deliver capability to the Fleet.

As a Senior Ocean Engineer, you will...
  • Shape the technical direction of our ocean systems portfolio by identifying emerging
    mission needs and developing long-term technology strategies.
  • Provide technical leadership across multiple maritime and undersea warfare
    initiatives spanning autonomous systems, sensing, communications, payload
    integration, and mission systems.
  • Build trusted relationships while identifying opportunities for new technical
    collaborations and research initiatives.
  • Guide multidisciplinary teams from concept development through prototype
    demonstration and technology transition.
  • Develop technical roadmaps, white papers, strategic proposals, and sponsor briefings
    aimed at sustained impact and growth.
  • Identify opportunities to integrate expertise across APL Mission Areas to solve
    complex operational challenges.
  • Mentor engineers and scientists while fostering technical excellence, innovation, and
    collaboration.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum requirements for the job if you...
  • Possess a bachelor's degree in an engineering field or equivalent demonstrated
    experience in engineering, systems thinking, or analytical approaches to solve
    complex maritime security and technical challenges.
  • Have 10+ years of relevant experience leading complex engineering, systems integration,
    research and development, acquisition, or operational initiatives involving maritime,
    naval, undersea, or autonomous systems.
  • Demonstrate success establishing technical vision, integrating multidisciplinary
    teams, and delivering innovative solutions to complex sponsor challenges.
  • Have experience developing technical strategy and engaging senior government
    sponsors to shape research, technology, or capability investments.
  • Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience
    briefing senior technical, military, and executive leadership.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify emerging mission needs and translate them into
    executable technical programs.
  • Hold an active Secret security clearance and are able to get a Top Secret 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...
  • Hold an M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant technical discipline.
  • Have experience as a Chief Engineer, Technical Director, Principal Investigator,
    Program Manager, or comparable senior technical leader.
  • Have successfully transitioned advanced technologies into operational Navy or DoD
    capabilities.
  • Have established relationships with ONR, NAVSEA, DARPA, NAVWAR, PEOs, or
    other defense sponsors.
  • Have demonstrated success growing technical portfolios, creating new research
    initiatives, and shaping long-term investment strategies.
  • Hold an active Top Secret security 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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