Plasma Effects Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Do you enjoy solving complex plasma physics challenges that impact space missions? Are you passionate about protecting spacecraft and payloads from the harsh environments of space? Do you like contributing to cutting-edge technologies that strengthen our nation's civil and national security space capabilities? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL! We are seeking a creative, self-starting Plasma Effects Engineer to help us advance the understanding of plasma interactions and their effects on spacecraft, payloads, and space systems operating in both civil and hostile environments. As a member of our team, you'll collaborate with scientists, spacecraft and payload systems engineers, design engineers, and mission planners to ensure critical systems survive and perform reliably in challenging plasma environments. You will be joining a hardworking team of engineers, analysts, and scientists who have played a key role in the analysis, development, testing, and production of advanced spacecraft systems and payloads. We are passionate about solving complex technical challenges through innovative modeling, simulation, and experimentation, and we foster a collaborative environment where technical excellence, continuous learning, and mission impact are valued every day.

Requirements

B.S. in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related engineering or science field.
1 or more years of experience related to modeling plasma systems such as gas break down, plasma generators, and vehicle-plasma interactions (charging, wake formation, hypersonic plasmas, etc.).
Experience with laboratory experimental plasma physics including experiment design, instrumentation, plasma generation devices, and laser plasmas.
Relevant experience with analysis of plasma data generated from experimental sources and flight tests.
Hold an active TS/SCI security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
Ability to gain SAP access

Nice To Haves

M.S. or Ph.D. in Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, or related engineering or science field.
Knowledge in electric propulsion engineering, spacecraft or other vehicle charging, nuclear plasma engineering, hypersonic plasmas, or impulsive plasma generation (eg hypervelocity impact or laser).

Responsibilities

Evaluate and mitigate plasma effects on spacecraft and payload systems through advanced modeling, simulation, testing, and technical analysis to ensure mission success in complex space environments.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define system requirements, assess plasma interactions, and develop solutions that improve spacecraft survivability and performance.
Develop, execute, and analyze plasma test campaigns using laboratory facilities, particle and plasma sources, and flight or on-orbit testing to validate designs and characterize system behavior.
Generate technical reports, present findings to government sponsors and stakeholders, and contribute to the broader plasma engineering community through mentoring, workshops, and technical collaborations.