2027 Internship - Systems and Modeling Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This internship focuses on applying engineering skills to solve challenging, real-world problems with a direct impact on national security. The role involves understanding complex systems, building models and simulations, developing software, analyzing data, and using physics and engineering principles to solve problems. The team is a multidisciplinary group of engineers and scientists working on challenging defense problems, combining aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, software development, physics, mathematics, and systems engineering. They are looking for motivated students who enjoy solving technical problems, learning new subjects, and working collaboratively on high-impact projects. A primary focus is understanding advanced missile systems and developing technologies for defense. This can include building computer models of missiles, developing software for hardware testing, analyzing RF performance, or exploring emerging technologies like directed energy and electronic warfare. Interns will work alongside experienced professionals who will provide guidance and opportunities to apply and grow technical skills.

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Math, Physics, or a related technical field, with a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Experience programming in a language such as MATLAB, Python, C++, Java, or similar
Enjoy solving analytical problems and learning new technical subjects
Ability to communicate ideas and technical results effectively
Interest in working collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team
Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by start date and ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance
U.S. citizenship

Nice To Haves

Coursework, projects, research, or experience involving flight mechanics, propulsion, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), or physics-based modeling
Experience with software development practices such as version control, testing, documentation, continuous integration, or object-oriented programming
Coursework or project experience involving radio-frequency (RF) systems, signal processing, electronics, sensors, or electromagnetics
Experience applying systems engineering concepts as part of a multidisciplinary project or team
Participation in engineering research, design teams, capstone projects, internships, or other hands-on technical projects
A final Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

Develop models and simulations to understand how complex aerospace and electronic systems behave and perform
Write software and develop tools used to analyze, test, and evaluate RF technologies
Apply engineering fundamentals, physics, mathematics, and data analysis to understand the performance of missiles and defense systems
Help design flexible software tools and applications used in hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) laboratory testing
Analyze how current and future defense technologies might perform against advanced missile threats
Work with engineers from multiple disciplines to develop and evaluate new approaches to challenging defense problems