2027 PhD Graduate - Spacecraft Mission Design, Navigation, and Guidance and Control

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

19h

About The Position

The Astrodynamics and Control Systems group at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory seeks creative PhD engineers to help develop, analyze, test, and deliver spacecraft for NASA and National Security Space missions. The role supports spacecraft mission design, navigation, guidance, and control, contributing to critical missions across the solar system and in Earth orbit. It offers opportunities to support both pre-launch spacecraft development and post-launch operations performance analysis and system updates in a collaborative engineering environment.

The primary responsibility is assisting in the design, development, and delivery of spacecraft, supporting the mission design and navigation team as well as the guidance and control team as needed. If time permits, the role may also assist with operations of legacy missions, including Parker Solar Probe, New Horizons, and STEREO. Work includes implementing control and estimation algorithms, actuator and sensor hardware models, and dynamic simulations in MATLAB/Simulink; developing and testing ground software; integrating and testing spacecraft through scenario testing and data analysis; and developing analysis tools for pre- and post-launch activities.

Requirements

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• Previous experience or significant coursework in the design, analysis, or development of complex aerospace systems.
• Skill in analytical and numerical computing software, such as MATLAB and Simulink.
• Ability to obtain Interim Secret security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain Top Secret clearance.
• U.S. citizenship, as required for eligibility for access to classified information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with extended Kalman filters, frequency domain analysis, or stability and jitter analysis.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design, development, and delivery of spacecraft.
• Assist the mission design and navigation team and the guidance and control team as needed.
• If time permits, assist with operations of legacy missions, including Parker Solar Probe, New Horizons, and STEREO.
• Assist in implementing control and estimation algorithms, actuator and sensor hardware models, and dynamic simulations in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Assist in developing and testing ground software to support integration of testbed algorithms and flight software with flight and ground support equipment hardware.
• Assist with spacecraft integration and testing through scenario testing and data analysis.
• Develop analysis tools for pre- and post-launch activities.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program.
• Retirement contributions and retirement plans.
• Healthy work/life balance.
• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Training and development.
• Potential sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree