Spacecraft Power System Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

8h

About The Position

The Spacecraft Power System Engineer develops flight power systems and hardware for space missions involving science, exploration, and national security. The role contributes to designing, testing, and delivering reliable spacecraft power systems and components, while working in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.

The engineer leads power-system development for one or more spaceflight missions and guides a development team of 10–20 multidisciplinary engineers. Work includes conceptual design studies, mission proposal development, requirements definition, test planning and verification, battery and solar-array sizing, system-performance prediction, spacecraft integration and testing, and support for launch and flight operations. Occasional overnight travel may be required. Applicants must be able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance; eligibility for access to classified information includes U.S. citizenship.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field.
• 7–15 years of experience developing spacecraft power systems.
• Previously held team leadership positions.
• Familiarity with common spacecraft power-system topologies.
• Skill in solar-array and battery performance prediction, sizing, and system energy balance.
• Ability to support occasional overnight travel.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI-level security clearance; eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience designing primary power-regulation or distribution hardware.
• Experience with primary battery technologies.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary electronics development teams.
• Experience with alternative spacecraft power sources such as nuclear sources.
• Current TS/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead APL power-systems development for one or more spaceflight missions.
• Lead a development team of 10–20 multidisciplinary engineers.
• Perform conceptual design studies and help develop mission proposals.
• Develop subsystem and hardware-component requirements, develop test plans, and perform requirements verification.
• Estimate battery capacities and solar-array sizes, and predict system performance.
• Lead power-system integration and testing onto spacecraft, and support launch and flight operations.

Benefits

• Robust education assistance program and education assistance.
• Retirement plans and unparalleled retirement contributions.
• Paid time off.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Training and development.
• Healthy work/life balance.
• Potential sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance, subject to policy and/or contractual designation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior