2027 PhD Graduate - Advanced Concept Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Shape the next generation of U.S. weapon systems. Join APL's Multidisciplinary Design Optimization team to tackle the complex, open-ended engineering problems that define future missions, systems, and kill chains. Influence critical decisions through advanced technical approaches. Work directly with technical experts and sponsors to transform emerging operational needs into credible concepts and provide the technical insight needed to shape future programs. Explore problems across an assorted mission space. Work across a broad portfolio with a high degree of autonomy, ownership, and freedom to pursue new ideas. Join a team that sees the big picture. Work alongside driven, creative engineers who connect technical depth with systems-level thinking to address current and emerging needs of the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community.

Requirements

PhD, or soon to be awarded, in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience in at least one aerospace system or subsystem discipline, such as vehicle design, propulsion, aerodynamics, GNC, or sensors.
Experience in one or more relevant technical areas such as trajectory optimization, aerothermal modeling and analysis, or mechanical design of aerospace systems.
Ability to translate real-world problems and constraints into mathematical models and draw meaningful conclusions from numerical results.
Demonstrated ability to independently tackle unfamiliar, open-ended technical problems.
Proficiency in a programming language such as MATLAB, Python, or C++.
Ability to obtain an Interim Secret Clearance to start and a final Top Secret/ SCI level security clearance.
Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

Conduct multidisciplinary trade, optimization, sensitivity, and system-of-systems studies to develop and evaluate next-generation missile and weapon concepts.
Analyze problems spanning missile design and performance, mission planning, fire control and weapon scheduling, ballistic missile defense, anti-air warfare, hypersonic defense, defensive space control, and early-stage hardware design.
Formulate, develop, and implement state-of-the-art physics-based/empirical models for conceptual design and performance analysis of U.S. and adversary weapon systems.
Distill complex technical analysis into actionable insights; communicate findings to technical experts, executive management, and government sponsors to inform critical technical and programmatic decisions.
Translate operational needs and real-world constraints into mathematical formulations suitable for modeling, simulation, and optimization.
Identify and adapt cutting-edge methods from industry and academia to bring new approaches to complex defense challenges.