2027 Graduate - Weapon Control Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Weapon Control Engineer joins a multidisciplinary team evaluating the performance and reliability of complex weapon systems aboard U.S. Navy operational nuclear-powered submarines (SSBN, SSGN, and SSN). The team analyzes operational data from deployed systems during live and simulated missile launches to improve system reliability, fault tolerance, and cybersecurity. The role involves developing expertise in existing weapon control systems and contributing to the development and evaluation of future submarine-launched capabilities. The engineer works with other engineers, weapon system subject-matter experts, former operators, industry contractors, and government laboratories. Work spans analysis of deployed-system data, reviews of hardware and software updates, and test and evaluation activities at laboratories, government facilities, or aboard Navy platforms. The position also requires documenting and presenting analysis results and collaborating to keep mission assurance, performance stability, and reliability central to system design.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, such as Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering.
Interest in analyzing and evaluating data from complex weapon control systems.
Interest in influencing the design and architecture of future weapon control systems.
Demonstrated success working in a team environment while delivering timely, high-quality results.
Very strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Ability to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret clearance.
U.S. citizenship, required for eligibility for access to classified information.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering, such as Electrical, Computer, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering.
Experience in early concept development, performance analysis, systems integration, or requirements engineering for a complex system.
Knowledge of software development or systems engineering processes.
Internship or project experience working on a complex engineering system or defense technology.
Navy-related experience, particularly with Naval weapon systems or OHIO-, VIRGINIA-, or COLUMBIA-class submarines.
Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Develop expertise and detailed knowledge of existing U.S. Navy weapon control systems, with the goal of becoming a weapon control subject-matter expert.
Analyze deployed weapon-system data, including missile initialization parameters, launch timing intervals, and guidance-system behavior, to characterize performance limits and identify anomalous behavior.
Provide independent technical reviews of proposed hardware and software updates, interfacing with prime contractors and government sponsors to ensure mission assurance.
Participate in test and evaluation activities, from laboratory tests to full-scale system tests at government facilities or aboard Navy platforms.
Formally document and present analysis results and participate in meetings with government sponsors and other external organizations.
Work with internal and external partners to promote system reliability, performance stability, and mission assurance in design decisions.