Senior Systems Design Engineer / Analyst

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

104d•Onsite

About The Position

Do you thrive when a single analysis can shift the balance of national security? Are you a “systems thinker” with deep, hands‑on experience designing and analyzing tangible, high‑impact defense assets? If you’re eager to work side‑by‑side with elite technical specialists in a collaborative, sponsor‑focused environment, APL wants you on our team. We are hiring a Senior Systems Design Analyst for the System Realization and Resilience Group in the Force Projection Sector. Our group delivers the engineering design and analysis backbone for Navy and Air Force strategic deterrence programs, turning complex physics into actionable insight for decision‑makers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a hard‑science engineering discipline (materials, mechanical, electrical/electronic, aerospace, chemical, petroleum, civil, etc.) or a comparable technical field.
10 + years of progressive engineering design/analysis experience, 5+ years in a senior or lead capacity, with a clear focus on tangible systems realization.
Proven experience using Cameo/MagicDraw (or similar MBSE tools) in a hands‑on capacity.
Demonstrated ability to develop or extend physics‑based, logistic, or statistical models for complex or system‑level analysis.
Active Secret clearance at start date and the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance within six months.
U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a government security clearance investigation.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in systems engineering or a related hard‑science discipline.
Direct experience with missile, ICBM, or other strategic weapons programs.
Familiarity with DoD acquisition processes, Pre‑Milestone A activities, or program‑level concept development.
Significant expertise in additional MBSE tools (Rhapsody, DOORS, etc.)

Responsibilities

Shape weapon‑system architectures – Using digital‑engineering tools (Cameo/MagicDraw, physics‑based models, logistics and simulation) you will evaluate current and future weapon concepts, assess performance, and construct resilient, modular designs that meet stringent deterrence requirements.
Lead technical studies – You will drive, coordinate, and present rigorous engineering analyses (structural, thermal, electromagnetic, reliability, logistics, etc.) that feed directly into sponsor reviews and program baselines.
Advise as a Trusted Technical‑Direction Agent – Your recommendations will influence design direction, risk mitigation, and test‑evaluation plans. While you will not own the final decision, you will set the technical bar; any deviation will require a “show‑cause” justification.
Integrate the digital thread – Apply hands‑on MBSE expertise to embed analysis results in a unified SysML/DoDAF model, ensuring traceability from high‑level requirements through test data.
Communicate with impact – Deliver concise briefings and technically robust reports to senior sponsors and contractors, translating complex analyses into clear, decision‑ready recommendations.
Navigate complex stakeholder networks – Operate effectively across a matrix of peer, partner, and sponsor relationships, influencing outcomes without formal authority.