High Energy Laser Scientist / Modeler

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

3h•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a motivated scientist or engineer to help us advance our capabilities in modeling and simulation of high energy lasers. As a member of the High Energy Laser Systems & Technologies section in the Optics and Photonics Group, your work will help inform decision makers in the defense community to help solve some of our nation’s most critical challenges related to high power lasers and laser weapon systems. You will develop and apply modeling and simulation tools to further the impact of high energy lasers for our sponsors. You will be joining a hardworking team of engineers and scientists who enjoy working hands-on in the lab and in the field. We are passionate about developing innovative laser concepts for high-impact, next-generation applications in sensing, communications, and non-kinetic warfare. Our team is committed to fostering an innovative atmosphere as we work across a wide variety of skillsets and backgrounds to solve complex challenges.

Requirements

Possess a M.S. degree in electrical engineering, physics, optics, chemistry, or a related field and a minimum of 5 years-experience working in the area of numerical modeling of optical systems OR a B.S. degree in a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience working with numerical modeling tools.
Have prior experience developing numerical modeling tools to simulate laser propagation through the atmosphere and/or high power laser interactions with materials.
Have demonstrated success working in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary, and agile team capable of adapting to evolving mission objectives.
Possess strong oral and written communication skills.
Willing to travel up to 10% of the time as needed.
Able to obtain a/an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in electrical engineering, optics, physics, chemistry, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in the area of numerical modeling of optical systems.
Prior experience modeling laser weapon systems, their propagation through the atmosphere, and/or interaction with materials.
Prior experience developing nonlinear propagation codes for simulating pulsed lasers.
Demonstrated ability to identify critical solutions to sponsor needs and developed projects/programs/plans in support of these needs.
Interest and/or experience in fields related to high energy lasers such as laser beam control, optical materials, applied spectroscopy, optical remote sensing, advanced photonics, optical system design, and optical communications.
An active Top Secret or higher clearance.

Responsibilities

Identify technical courses of action to meet sponsor requirements.
Lead small teams in the execution of these pathways.
Mentor junior staff.
Conceptualize, develop, and apply analytic and numerical models related to novel high energy continuous wave and pulsed lasers, laser beam control, and laser-matter interactions.
Identify and characterize solutions to overcome critical sponsor challenges related to laser sensing and laser weapon systems.
Contribute modeling expertise to high energy laser engagement simulations, ranging from scaling law analysis codes to high fidelity physics-based tools.
Document efforts and deliver presentations to internal project teams, external sponsors, and the wider high energy laser community.