Weapons Systems Accuracy Analyst

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves assessing the accuracy of shipboard, missile, and reentry systems, and translating those results into system-level accuracy predictions. The analyst will use dynamical models of sensors, aerodynamics, and actuated systems to evaluate performance at both a system and subsystem level. A key part of the role is working with real flight-test and simulation data, applying statistical techniques such as regression analysis, hypothesis tests, and maximum likelihood estimation to extract meaningful performance metrics. The analyst will produce clear written reports and concise oral briefings that senior government sponsors rely on for setting requirements, planning flight-test campaigns, and deciding on next-generation designs. Responsibilities also include interacting with sponsors and partner organizations, answering technical questions, presenting results, and incorporating feedback. Additionally, the analyst will help junior team members learn the same techniques, fostering a collaborative, mission-focused environment.

Requirements

Hold a B.S. in physics, applied mathematics, engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related technical field.
Have 3+ years of professional experience doing quantitative analysis or modeling and simulation of complex systems.
Are comfortable building physics-based models (e.g., using Newton’s laws, sensor error budgets) and applying basic statistical methods to evaluate the performance of complex systems.
Possess proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or C++ for scientific computing (writing scripts, plotting results, debugging).
Have strong written and oral communication skills, and you can explain technical material to both experts and non-experts.
Enjoy working on a team, sharing ideas, and collaborating with people from different disciplines.
Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance eligibility.

Nice To Haves

Have a M.S. or Ph.D. in a quantitative discipline (physics, applied mathematics, engineering, etc.).
Have experience applying software best practices including object-oriented programming in C++, MATLAB, or Python, unit testing, continuous-integration, and Git version control.
Have applied estimation techniques such as Kalman filtering, particle/unscented filters, or maximum-likelihood methods that use Fisher information.
Have direct worked on strategic missile, submarine, or flight-test programs (e.g., SLBM, ICBM, or related launch-vehicle subsystems).
Have experience developing requirements and verification plans for new weapon-system designs or flight-test campaigns.
Are familiar with next-generation inertial measurement units, sensors, and related hardware.
Possess an active Secret (or higher) clearance at the time you apply.
Have experience presenting technical results to senior government sponsors and influencing design or test-planning decisions.

Responsibilities

Assess the accuracy of shipboard, missile, and reentry systems, and translate those results into system-level accuracy predictions.
Use dynamical models of sensors, aerodynamics, and actuated systems to evaluate performance at both a system and subsystem level.
Work with real flight-test and simulation data and apply statistical techniques (regression analysis, hypothesis tests, maximum likelihood estimation) to extract meaningful performance metrics.
Produce clear written reports and concise oral briefings that senior government sponsors rely on when setting requirements, planning flight-test campaigns, and deciding on next-generation designs.
Interact with sponsors and partner organizations, answer technical questions, present results, and incorporate feedback into the next round of analysis.
Help junior team members learn the same techniques, fostering a collaborative, mission-focused environment.