2027 Internship - System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning Group (KFA)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning Group is seeking interns to aid in the design and implementation of state-of-the-art methodologies to gather and manipulate data for system analysis, identification, and planning. Interns will join a team of engineers, physicists, mathematicians and computer scientists who are passionate about their role supporting our nation’s strategic weapons. The group strives to foster an environment of innovation and learning to develop the critical technologies and experts of the future.

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical field.
Inquisitive and willing to learn new skills and expand capabilities.
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Strong quantitative foundation – Excels at math, physics, or engineering fundamentals and comfortable manipulating equations, data sets, and statistical tools.
Familiarity with linear algebra, differential equations, probability, or control theory.
Coursework/experience in parameter estimation, flight dynamics, guidance, navigation, or control, radiation environments, the principles of radiation interactions with matter, optimization and numerical methods, high energy particle physics, thermal mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering, nuclear weapon effects, or plasma physics.
Programming & simulation experience – Ability to code in at least one scientific language (Python, MATLAB, Julia, C++, etc.).
Experience with version control systems such as gitlab or github.
Experience building or using simulation models, numerical solvers, or data‑analysis pipelines.
Team‑player with strong communication skills – Thrives in collaborative environments, actively listens, and contributes constructively in multidisciplinary meetings.
Ability to distill technical findings into clear written reports, visualizations, and oral presentations for both domain experts and non‑technical stakeholders.
Passion for defense and national security – Genuine interest in how scientific and engineering tools support strategic deterrence, policy, and defense planning.
Stays informed about emerging technologies, threat landscapes, and relevant policy discussions.
Hold an active Secret or higher-level clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop and validate mathematical and computational models of defense systems.
Perform data‑driven analyses to assess performance and risk.
Learn about inertial navigation and apply your knowledge to assess flight system accuracy.
Develop estimation tools for evaluating flight test dynamics and navigation of ballistic and hypersonic missile systems.
Employ and develop physics-based models for statistical estimation and forecasting of weapon system accuracy.
Aid in the engineering and architecture development of future conventional and nuclear weapons.
Develop C++ algorithms to optimize trajectories based on mission objectives and constraints for hypersonic systems.
Function as part of a multi-disciplinary team to analyze the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and structures, including environmental analysis and radiation hardened electronics assessments.