2026 PhD Graduate - System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

74d • $102,500 - $227,500

About The Position

Are you interested in applying your STEM background to strategic deterrence and defense? Are you interested in defining methodologies that will be used for mission planning and test and evaluation of current and future weapon systems? Do you like contributing to complex efforts that require team-based approaches? If you have a PhD in math, physics, engineering, or computer science, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL. The System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning Group is seeking Weapon System Analysts and Software Engineers to assess the planning and evaluation the nation's primary strategic deterrents. You will be joining a hardworking team of engineers, physicists, and mathematicians who are passionate about their role as an independent evaluator for the nation's strategic systems. We strive to foster an environment of innovation and learning to develop the critical technologies and experts of the future.

Requirements

• Possess a PhD in applied math, applied statistics, physics, engineering, or a closely related field.
• Are skilled in scientific programming using a high-level language, such as C++, MATLAB, or Python.
• Possess outstanding technical written and oral communication skills.
• Are willing and able to occasionally travel to meetings and sponsor sites.
• Are able to acquire an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a final Top Secret level clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Statistical analysis, parameter estimation and inverse problems, Kalman filtering, or maximum likelihood estimation using Fisher information.
• Optimal control, numerical optimization, and trajectory design.
• Prior experience with tactical or strategic missile systems.
• Prior experience with inertial navigation systems.
• Expertise in High Energy Particle Physics, Thermal Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Weapon Effects, or Plasma Physics.
• Hold an active Secret or higher level clearance.

Responsibilities

• Learn about the principals of inertial navigation systems, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, and leverage data collected during flight tests and ground tests to estimate the underlying, physics-based errors in these systems.
• Learn about the dynamics of missile systems, reentry systems, and their associated fuzing mechanisms, and leverage data collected during flight tests and ground tests to estimate the underlying, physics-based errors in these systems.
• Evaluate system-level accuracy of current strategic weapon systems and support the design and engineering of future systems to meet mission needs.
• Apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data fusion methodologies to complex, real-world problems and build robust computational frameworks to support advanced data-centric analyses.
• Advance the state of the art in mission planning by developing software and implementing vehicle dynamics models for new and prototype weapon systems.
• Develop operational concepts for new weapon systems that leverage advances in estimation and optimization.
• Function as part of a multi-disciplinary team to analyze the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and structures.

Benefits

• Generous benefits including a robust education assistance program.
• Unparalleled retirement contributions.
• Healthy work/life balance.
• Comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees