Senior Mission Engineer & Analyst

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Mission Engineering Group of the Force Projection Sector at JHU/APL is seeking a Senior Engineer / Analyst to help lead the technical vision, architecture, and implementation of mission‑centered, model‑based capabilities that advance augmented human decision making. The Mission Engineering Group develops enterprise-grade, distributed software and decision-support tools that enable warfighters to harness a wide-ranging set of sensors, weapons, and platforms for precision strike missions critical to our nation’s defense. We emphasize engineering rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement while promoting a culture of innovation and technical excellence. As a Senior Engineer & Analyst for the Decision Science Section within the Mission Engineering Group, you will apply systems thinking and mission engineering to analyze operational concepts and mission threads, and design mission architectures that connect warfighter needs to mission outcomes. You will work closely with APL leadership, government mission stakeholders, and partner organizations to translate mission and user needs into actionable system and model requirements and mission‑relevant solutions. You will lead and contribute to multi‑disciplinary teams that develop modeling, simulation, and analytical methods and tools, help shape system and mission architectures, and connect those architectures to analysis models (e.g., AFSIM). You will plan, execute, and analyze field tests and experiments, and identify and manage technical risks and technical debt to drive continuous improvement of systems, models, and engineering processes. You will document and present results through clear, compelling reports and presentations to managers, sponsors, and technical forums, while providing technical leadership and mentorship to junior and mid‑level engineers.

Requirements

Have a master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related technical field.
Have at least seven years of relevant experience in defense, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, or related mission domains, including working with operational users and in classified environments.
Have expertise in one or more of the following areas: decision science, digital engineering, statistical analysis, mathematical optimization, pattern recognition, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
Have experience performing systems engineering in the design, development, and/or evaluation of complex systems or systems‑of‑systems.
Are familiar with the mission engineering process and are able to develop mission architectures that connect operational needs to system capabilities.
Have a demonstrated ability to successfully apply your educational and professional background to real world engineering problems and work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.
Have experience leading mission engineering efforts that span multiple disciplines described in the Mission Engineering process.
Are recognized as a technical authority and collaborative leader, and are motivated to influence technical strategy, engineering culture, and best practices across the Mission Engineering Group.
Have strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to wide-ranging audiences.
Are highly creative, a self-starter, and interested in novel, mission driven challenges.
Are willing and able to periodically travel to and work at military facilities.
Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level 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.

Nice To Haves

Have a doctorate degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or a related technical field.
Have skills and experience developing engineering applications in programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, C++, and Java and in Linux environments.
Have experience with performing analysis using the AFSIM toolset.
Hold an active TS/SCI level security clearance.

Responsibilities

Apply systems thinking and mission engineering to analyze operational concepts and mission threads, and design mission architectures that connect warfighter needs to mission outcomes.
Work closely with APL leadership, government mission stakeholders, and partner organizations to translate mission and user needs into actionable system and model requirements and mission‑relevant solutions.
Lead and contribute to multi‑disciplinary teams that develop modeling, simulation, and analytical methods and tools, help shape system and mission architectures, and connect those architectures to analysis models (e.g., AFSIM).
Plan, execute, and analyze field tests and experiments, and identify and manage technical risks and technical debt to drive continuous improvement of systems, models, and engineering processes.
Document and present results through clear, compelling reports and presentations to managers, sponsors, and technical forums, while providing technical leadership and mentorship to junior and mid‑level engineers.