2027 Internship - Air & Missile Defense Test & Evaluation

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This internship offers a fast-paced work environment with opportunities to collaborate across multiple technical areas. The role focuses on systems engineering test and evaluation, encouraging bold and creative approaches to improve the performance of operational systems. Interns will learn how flight test missions are conceptualized, planned, and executed, from initial idea to layered scenarios testing the latest technological developments in U.S. Missile Defense Weapon Systems. The program aims to balance technical growth in flight dynamics and orbital mechanics with an understanding of larger system objectives. Interns will assist in developing new tools and performing analysis in areas such as test asset optimization, scenario design feasibility, target trajectory design and assessment, ground and air safety analysis, and Orbital Collision Avoidance (COLA) analysis.

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Physics, Mathematics, or a related discipline.
Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Background or knowledge in MATLAB or other scripting language.
Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility.

Responsibilities

Develop new tools and perform analysis related to test asset optimization and overall scenario design feasibility.
Conduct target trajectory design and assessment.
Perform ground and air safety analysis.
Conduct Orbital Collision Avoidance (COLA) analysis.