2027 Graduate - Optics & Photonics Engineer/Scientist

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is for a 2027 graduate interested in a career in optics and photonics, focusing on research and development projects. The position involves both software-based data analysis and hands-on laboratory experimentation. The team is dedicated to developing innovative solutions for critical national challenges in areas such as high energy laser systems, optical sensors, atmospheric characterization and propagation modeling, optical system design and development, applied spectroscopy, and the study of optical properties of materials. The team values respect, communication, and technical and professional integrity, fostering an environment for spirited technical discussions to drive innovation. As an associate professional staff member, the primary responsibility will be to support projects as an individual technical contributor, including developing modeling and simulation capabilities using software tools, setting up experiments and collecting data in optical laboratories, and performing data analysis. The role also involves collaborating on multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex problems for sponsors and detailing work into formal and informal technical reports, presentations, conference proceedings, and journal articles.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
Interest in exploring a career in optics, photonics, and laser systems for defense applications.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
Willing and able to work on site at APL.
Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Directly relevant experience in a hands-on laboratory environment.
Proficiency in Python and MATLAB.
Experience with modeling and simulation or data analysis tasks.
Established yourself in the technical community through journal and conference publications and involvement in professional societies.
Hold a current Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain higher-level clearances.

Responsibilities

Support projects as an individual technical contributor.
Use software tools to develop modeling and simulation capabilities.
Set up experiments and collect data in various optical laboratories.
Perform data analysis.
Collaborate on multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex problems for sponsors.
Detail work into formal and informal technical reports including presentations, conference proceedings, and journal articles.