Mission Planning Design Engineer / Analyst

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Mission Planning Design Engineer / Analyst will engineer solutions for military mission planning and conduct analytical work supporting planning, battle management, and coordination capabilities. The role involves describing and modeling system architectures and algorithms; developing models of sensors, effectors, and combat systems; designing planning workflows; and applying optimization techniques to defense design and strategy problems. The position also develops prototypes using existing models, libraries, and data, and conducts lifecycle engineering and operational analysis, including support for test events and operational scenarios. The engineer participates in requirements and design reviews, communicates proposed solutions and analysis to sponsors and collaborators, and authors reports with technical recommendations. The work supports U.S. warfighters and decision-makers, including the Missile Defense Agency and Navy. Candidates should have software engineering experience and be willing to learn about complex military systems. The position is with APL’s A5C group, which develops and deploys advanced planning capabilities for warfighters across multiple missions, services, command echelons, and domains. APL describes its workplace as a vibrant, welcoming environment focused on growth, collaboration, creativity, and bold ideas. Its campus is in the Baltimore-Washington metro area.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, or equivalent academic background.
At least two years of experience in modeling and simulation and/or data analysis.
At least two years of experience translating user needs and gaps into technical solutions, from workflow design to backend algorithm design and optimization.
Success working on a multidisciplinary team.
Programming experience with MATLAB or Python.
Demonstrated success working in an engineering team of three or more people.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent critical-thinking skills.
Technical expertise in the design, analysis, and/or operation of complex systems.
Experience describing and modeling system architectures and algorithms.
Active Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship and eligibility for access to classified information are required.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in engineering, applied mathematics, applied physics, operations research, computer science, or equivalent academic background.
At least five years of experience in engineering, modeling and simulation, optimization, data analysis, and/or workflow design relevant to military systems pertinent to air and missile defense.
At least two years of experience applying AI/ML to real-world problems.
At least two years of experience in specification and requirements development and analysis.
Experience reviewing and/or authoring design specifications of military systems.
Technical expertise in the design, analysis, or operation of Navy mission planning systems.
Experience using high-performance computing to solve large-scale analysis problems.
Experience with data management, including databases and data structures, to support analysis tools and workflows.

Responsibilities

Engineer solutions for military mission planning and conduct analysis supporting planning, battle management, and coordination capabilities.
Describe and model system architectures and algorithms underpinning planning, battle management, and coordination capabilities.
Develop models and algorithms for sensors, effectors, and combat systems to assess mission plans, defense designs, and engagement performance across realistic threat scenarios.
Engineer workflows for planning and battle management capabilities, translating warfighter needs into effective capabilities.
Apply optimization techniques to defense design and strategy problems; define measures of effectiveness, conduct trade studies, and allocate sensors, effectors, and platforms to maximize performance across simultaneous missions and planning levels.
Develop prototypes using existing models, libraries, and data to support planning, optimization, and operational analysis.
Conduct lifecycle engineering and real-world operations analysis, including support for test events and operational scenarios, and provide data and recommendations to Missile Defense Agency and Navy decision-makers.
Participate in requirements and design reviews to establish sponsor direction and assess prime contractor compliance with sponsor directions.
Develop and deliver presentations communicating proposed solutions and analysis to sponsors and collaborators.
Author reports bringing together models, analysis, requirements, and technical recommendations.