On-Site Flight Systems Test Engineer (Hill AFB, Utah)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Hill AFB, UT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for an exciting opportunity to represent APL on-site at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) in Utah on a significant program of national importance while working directly with Sponsors, industry peers and other APL team members. The role focuses on testing in-development flight systems in a fast-paced, high impact environment. The systems test engineer will help evaluate the various flight systems of the Sentinel strategic missile system. This will be an on-site position, working at Hill AFB alongside other on-site APL personnel, our government sponsor, other government mission partners, and the Sentinel prime contractor.

Requirements

B.S. in Engineering, Mathematics or Physics (or closely related technical field), with 2+ of relevant technical professional experience.
Experience in test engineering, flight test analysis, or the development of flight system.
A strong sense of curiosity to understand how and why a system works and the ambition to follow up on that curiosity.
Ability to effectively shape the day-to-day tasking to meet sponsor needs, multi-task, and adapt to changing demands with minimal guidance.
Exceptionally strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills, and ability to interface with senior military and civil service personnel.
Willing to relocate to Utah in the vicinity of Hill AFB, with periodic travel to APL, contractor sites, and to other locations.
Willing and able to travel occasionally (potentially 5-6 trips per year of duration one week or less, including travel back to the APL Laurel campus).
Hold an active Secret security clearance and are able to obtain a Top Secret/SCI level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

M.S. (or above) in Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics (or closely related technical field) and/or 5+ years of experience in the testing or development of flight systems.
Experience specifically with, and an understanding of, Navy and/or Air Force strategic weapons systems.
A proven thought leader with sponsor engagement experience.
Currently hold an active Top Secret clearance (or above).

Responsibilities

Serve as part of APL’s HAFB-based team supporting the Sentinel program, enhancing APL’s ability as an organization to support our government sponsor.
Maintain regular communications with APL’s program and project managers, line-side leaders and organizations in Laurel, and fellow members of the APL on-site technical team to increase awareness of Sentinel activities, developments, decisions, areas of concern, and opportunities where APL can help the Sentinel program.
Interface directly with the sponsor to understand their needs, and work with APL’s Sentinel key leaders and fellow members of APL’s on-site technical team to recommend, support, and execute work in support of the Sentinel Program Office’s desire to “own the technical baseline.”
Work on problems across the systems engineering V that span the full program lifecycle, from sponsor requirements through system integration, flight test execution and data validation and be able to translate sponsor needs into verifiable system and sub system requirements.
Support system‑level trade studies including aerodynamics, propulsion, GNC, and structures with a focus on missile flight test operational envelopes, release parameters, safe‑separation criteria, and trajectory constraints, and ensuring compliance with safety and performance limits.
Support live flight test activities including knowledge of test hardware, instrumentation, data acquisition, and range safety requirements.
Participate in milestone reviews, test readiness reviews, mission briefings, and sponsor Technical Interface Meetings (TIMs) to keep all stakeholders aligned on objectives and risks.
Synthesize complex engineering data into concise briefings and generate recommendations that enable sponsor decision‑making and highlight opportunities for further APL support.