2026 PhD Graduate - Autonomous Systems Design Engineer: Controls, Navigation, Sensors, and Simulation

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

161d

About The Position

Do you enjoy problem solving and applying your skills across a broad range of applications and research? Do you have a passion for the design, analysis, simulation, and prototyping of innovative autonomous systems and algorithms? If so, the Strike Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC), and Seekers group is looking for PhDs who are pursuing degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science. Our group's goal is to ensure the United States has a distinct technology advantage in autonomous systems by leading next generation development and prototyping. We do this by providing world class design solutions with a focus on: Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Radio Frequency (RF) or Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Hardware/Software Development and Test Multi-Disciplinary Design Optimization We are seeking creative problem solvers with capabilities and interests to join our team in taking on a breadth of technical challenges. We work on a variety of systems including: hypersonic missiles, submarines, cruise missiles, and autonomous flight vehicles. We are committed to developing exceptional talent and supporting a culture of innovation, and as part of our group you will have the chance to grow your expertise across these technologies. As a PhD member on our team you will... Have the opportunity to pioneer design and research in guidance, navigation, and control algorithms in support of the full lifecycle development of advanced systems. Develop innovative models for simulating and analyzing a variety of complex physics and sensors. Test the capability of software and algorithms within an embedded systems environment. Apply multi-disciplinary optimization techniques for early phase vehicle designs. Develop software to support sophisticated simulation and algorithm development. Collaborate with a team of engineers and interact with government sponsors. Our team works on a set of subject areas that feed into the design of an autonomous system. The following sections provide some more background on those unique areas: Guidance, Navigation, and Control We provide world class expertise in the areas of guidance, navigation, and control to support the full life cycle development of vehicles both as partners with contractors as well as in the development of our own prototype systems. Types of work: Advanced algorithm research and development and application of algorithms to flight test systems Degrees: Electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics Skills: Guidance, inertial navigation, modern/adaptive control, classical control, optimization Radio Frequency and Electro-Optical/Infrared Sensor We develop sensor and seeker solutions for advanced autonomous systems and weapons. Types of work: RF and EO/IR system design, sensor and seeker performance analysis and M&S, and receiver signal processing Degrees: Electrical engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer science/engineering Skills: Electromagnetic wave propagation, RF antennas, optics, signal and image processing, radar, programming/coding Modeling and Simulation We apply a wide range of skills to the development of multi-physics simulations for a broad range of concepts. We also use the models to analyze multi-disciplinary design problems. Types of work: Multi-disciplinary vehicle design optimization and analysis, high fidelity physics-based simulation modeling, algorithm development, simulation software architecture Degrees: Mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science/engineering Skills: Dynamics, programming/coding, algorithms, optimization Hardware/Software Development and Testing We support sensor testing and characterization in conjunction with hardware-in-the-loop analysis for prototype systems advancing towards flight tests. Types of work: Hardware-in-the-loop development, sensor characterization, embedded systems Degrees: Computer science/engineering, electrical engineering Skills: Hardware testing, embedded systems, software

Requirements

Are pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science.
Proven internship experience or possess extensive classroom project work in a subject matter in any of the following areas: guidance, inertial navigation, modern/adaptive control, classical control, optimization; electromagnetic wave propagation, RF antennas, optics, signal and image processing, radar, programming/coding; dynamics, programming/coding, algorithms, optimization; hardware testing, embedded systems, sensor testing artificial intelligence and software development.
Are skilled in or have knowledge of coding practices in Matlab/Simulink, C++, Python, or other languages
Have a curiosity and appetite for exploring and solving hard problems.
Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a 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.
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Note: When prompted to upload attachments, please include a copy of your college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable).

Nice To Haves

Have professional experience developing and analyzing control/dynamical systems or sensors.

Responsibilities

Have the opportunity to pioneer design and research in guidance, navigation, and control algorithms in support of the full lifecycle development of advanced systems.
Develop innovative models for simulating and analyzing a variety of complex physics and sensors.
Test the capability of software and algorithms within an embedded systems environment.
Apply multi-disciplinary optimization techniques for early phase vehicle designs.
Develop software to support sophisticated simulation and algorithm development.
Collaborate with a team of engineers and interact with government sponsors.