Job Description

Are you excited about the idea of overseeing the quality, impact, and production of the technical output of a group at the forefront of research and development in Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting?

Do you enjoy brainstorming, mentoring, influencing, cultivating alliances, and developing vision and strategy, while interacting with staff at all levels across the laboratory?

Are you interested in researching, developing, and analyzing innovative ways to produce impactful information from many different types of sensors and sources of data?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our leadership team in the ISR and Targeting Group at APL!

We are seeking a creative, collaborative, and enthusiastic technical leader to oversee the quality, impact, and production of the group’s technical output. The Group Chief Engineer (GCE) will assist the group supervisor and assistant group supervisor with technical oversight, vision, strategy, and critical resource allocation and prioritization decisions. The GCE will work with group and project technical leaders to establish and maintain rigorous and efficient quality processes and effective planning and execution.  The GCE will play a major role in ensuring that the group maintains its elite capabilities, remains current in its core competencies, and expands strategically in emerging areas.  The GCE will identify opportunities and provide guidance to promote the quality and impact of the group’s work. 

Our engineers and analysts apply diverse disciplines such as sensor and data fusion, signal and image processing, operations research, applied physics, and artificial intelligence to build systems that automatically or autonomously orchestrate sensors, process data into information, and make intelligent inferences and predictions about complex threats and environments.  Our work enables the US military to neutralize a wider variety of serious threats from safer distances than they could otherwise accomplish; improves the safety, survivability, and effectiveness of US military forces; and disrupts the ability of potential adversaries to threaten our forces. 

As the Chief Engineer of the ISR and Targeting Group,

• Your primary responsibility will be to oversee the quality, impact, and production of the group’s technical output.
• You will develop and oversee quality standards and control procedures and processes including technical reviews, validation and verification of results, and software configuration management.
• You will assist the group supervisor and assistant group supervisor with technical oversight, vision, strategy, and critical resource allocation and prioritization decisions.
• You will prepare and present the group’s quality and impact assessment and plan at periodic intervals.
• You will lead and represent the group on major initiatives and working groups (such as FPS Software Best Practices).
• You will interact with, inform, stimulate, and advocate for relevant technical development activities across the group, and connect group staff and efforts to opportunities across and external to the laboratory.
• You will identify, promote, and disseminate funding opportunities, publication of work, intellectual property disclosure, conferences and workshops, technical seminars, key trends and literature, education and training opportunities, and collaborative initiatives.
• You will partner with the Group Chief Scientist (GCS) in advocating for the group’s collective Internal Research and Development (IRAD) efforts, including supporting brainstorming sessions, vetting and refining ideas and proposals, and promoting collaboration opportunities.
• You will serve as an active member of the relevant Precision Strike Focus Area Collaboration Team (FACT), including contributing to IRAD planning, IRAD proposal evaluation, project reviews, strategy development, investment planning, and cross-program coordination.
• You will collaborate with the GCS in mentoring the Group Deputy Chief.
• You will perform duties according to “Roles and Responsibilities of the Precision Strike Council of Chiefs” (FPS-A-19-0297 dated 16 July 2019) and consistent with FPS leadership responsibilities and expectations (http://FPSLeadership).

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Master’s degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, or another related field.
• Have at least seven years of work experience in a relevant technical field.
• Have subject matter expertise in some of the following areas: signal and image processing, data fusion, statistical analysis, mathematical optimization, pattern recognition, machine learning, and artificial intelligence.
• Have domain knowledge in some of the following areas: ISR processes, systems, platforms, and sensors used by the US military and intelligence community; Navy, Air Force, and Army kill chain concepts; targeting, C2, and mission planning processes and tools; weapon platforms and systems, communications networks, threat systems, and counter-ISR concepts and capabilities.
• Have strong inter-personal and written communications skills.
• Have skills and experience leading teams and complex technical efforts.
• Have the ability to work and collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Have the ability to multi-task, support multiple, concurrent projects, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Are willing and able to work a portion of the time in secure, closed areas and travel occasionally to government sites and contractor facilities (local and non-local).
• Hold an active Top Secret-level security clearance and are able to obtain a TS/SCI-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.
• Can demonstrate that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To ensure the safety and well-being of the community, APL has established a policy requiring that all staff be vaccinated against COVID-19. All staff members must provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation by their start date.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have a Doctorate degree in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, or another related field.
• Have at least ten years of relevant work experience, or significant internship experience, in a relevant technical field.
• Hold an active TS/SCI-level security clearance.

Why work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

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