Weapon Systems Senior Analyst

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The System Definition & Validation Group (KBY) in the Force Projection Sector of the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking enthusiastic analysts, engineers, scientists, mathematicians, statisticians, and systems engineers to take on the position as Weapon Systems Senior Analyst. The ideal candidate will work on complex, multi-discipline problems with a team of experts to offer technical contributions to improve the next generation of US strategic systems. As a Weapons Systems Senior Analyst for KBY, you will be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that applies a “whole-of-system” mindset and systems-engineering rigor to shape complex platforms to meet both current and future warfighter requirements. You will embed yourself in a cross‑functional team that blends systems‑engineering expertise with operational insight to drive the design, development, and fielding of sophisticated weapon systems. You will partner with technical leads, program managers, and sponsors to ensure that APL work capitalizes on operational experience, domain‑specific knowledge, and engineering best practices, delivering the most effective solutions to the warfighter’s toughest challenges. You will lead and contribute to in‑depth analyses at both system and sub‑system levels, producing actionable recommendations that shape design decisions. You will supply deep expertise on how the system functions, is tested, performs, is operated and maintained, and fits into strategic, regional, or theater deterrence concepts, translating that knowledge into clear guidance for warfighter employment. You will provide requirements and architecture insights to inform decision‑makers, evaluate change impacts, and safeguard mission performance through expertise in system requirements, architecture, interfaces, and capabilities. You will navigate stakeholder expectations, relationships, and capabilities, enabling program leadership and technical teams to better satisfy warfighter needs. You will continually expand understanding of the weapon system, associated platforms/delivery vehicles, and the broader system‑level engineering processes that support them. You will conduct up to 5–6 sponsor‑support trips per year (each ≤ 1 week) and perform additional local travel for stakeholder engagements as required. You will apply comprehensive weapon‑system knowledge to provide leadership and guidance to support Weapon-System Architecting efforts, evaluating system flexibility and adaptability to address emerging threats and incorporate future capabilities. You will apply comprehensive weapon‑system knowledge to provide leadership and guidance to support efforts to use high‑fidelity models, simulations, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), and software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) environments to lead early‑stage assessments, guide testing against defined requirements and architectural baselines, accelerating validation, and reducing risk.

Requirements

Have 5+ years of relevant weapon-system specific technical expertise or operational expertise for nuclear strategic weapon systems (e.g. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles, Strategic Cruise Missiles, Nuclear Warheads, Strategic Bombers), high-end conventional strategic systems (e.g. Long-Range Cruise Missiles, Hypersonics), or similar systems
Have a relevant experience applied to the aforementioned weapon systems in several of the following areas: stakeholder & mission analysis, requirements definition, architecture & conceptual design, trade studies, detailed design & integration, validation & verification, product & sustainment planning, and fielding & operations.
Have a Bachelor of Science in engineering, computer science, physical or applied sciences, or other related technical disciplines.
Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level security 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 15+ years of relevant weapon-system specific technical expertise or operational expertise for nuclear strategic weapon systems, high-end conventional strategic systems, or similar systems
Have helped to develop and field a major weapon system
Have an advanced degree in one of the aforementioned disciplines
Hold an active Top Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

Be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that applies a “whole-of-system” mindset and systems-engineering rigor to shape complex platforms to meet both current and future warfighter requirements.
Embed yourself in a cross‑functional team that blends systems‑engineering expertise with operational insight to drive the design, development, and fielding of sophisticated weapon systems.
Partner with technical leads, program managers, and sponsors to ensure that APL work capitalizes on operational experience, domain‑specific knowledge, and engineering best practices, delivering the most effective solutions to the warfighter’s toughest challenges.
Lead and contribute to in‑depth analyses at both system and sub‑system levels, producing actionable recommendations that shape design decisions.
Supply deep expertise on how the system functions, is tested, performs, is operated and maintained, and fits into strategic, regional, or theater deterrence concepts. Translate that knowledge into clear guidance for warfighter employment.
Provide requirements and architecture insights to inform decision‑makers, evaluate change impacts, and safeguard mission performance through expertise in system requirements, architecture, interfaces, and capabilities.
Navigate stakeholder expectations, relationships, and capabilities, enabling program leadership and technical teams to better satisfy warfighter needs.
Continually expand understanding of the weapon system, associated platforms/delivery vehicles, and the broader system‑level engineering processes that support them.
Conduct up to 5–6 sponsor‑support trips per year (each ≤ 1 week) and perform additional local travel for stakeholder engagements as required.
Apply comprehensive weapon‑system knowledge to provide leadership and guidance to support Weapon-System Architecting efforts, evaluating system flexibility and adaptability to address emerging threats and incorporate future capabilities.
Apply comprehensive weapon‑system knowledge to provide leadership and guidance to support efforts to use high‑fidelity models, simulations, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), and software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) environments to lead early‑stage assessments, guide testing against defined requirements and architectural baselines, accelerating validation, and reducing risk.