Job Description

Are you interested in advancing and shaping the next generation of US defense capability?

Do you like working with skilled peers and organizations to innovate solutions for the most exciting flight control problems facing the nation today?

Would you like to work with an employer that prioritizes impact, innovation, and career development?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking an engineer to help us provide world-class guidance and control research and development for a variety of flight systems. Our team works on a multitude of programs, including hypersonic missiles, submarines, cruise missiles, and autonomous flight vehicles. We seek to develop a breadth of technical knowledge and experience, so we can provide our sponsors with unparalleled perspective and innovation. You will have an opportunity to work on guidance, control, navigation, and high fidelity simulation as a member of our team. We are passionate about learning and finding the best solutions for the programs we support.

As a Flight Systems Guidance and Control Engineer ...

• Your primary responsibility will be to apply guidance and control theory to a range of dynamic systems to solve complex technical problems for both simulation and flight test applications.
• You should also be able to use and modify high fidelity simulations to evaluate performance.
• You will collaborate on small to mid-sized teams in these technical areas, potentially across multiple technical areas and organizations, working together to gain an understanding of different design requirements and guide the development process.
• You will have opportunities to communicate with sponsors to discuss and present technical briefs.
• You will also perform research in modern control theory and related fields and identify new areas of advancement.

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

• Possess a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another related technical field.
• Have at least three years of relevant experience.
• Have a background in control methodologies with exposure to both modern (e.g. nonlinear Lyapunov based, adaptive, robust, cooperative, and modern predictive control) and classical (e.g. frequency based, PID and optimal control design) methods.
• Have experience in flight system guidance algorithms, autopilot synthesis, and controller performance characterization.
• Are comfortable in building physics based models, applying system dynamics and equations of motion in a simulation environment.
• Have familiarity programming with MATLAB/Simulink, C++.
• Have strong sense of initiative, creativity, breadth of experience, and a passion for learning.
• Have strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Work effectively in a team environment while supporting multiple development projects concurrently.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level 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, 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...

• Possess a Master's degree or PhD in a related technical field.
• Have experience in project management, mentorship, and leading teams of people.
• Have experience with missile systems, state estimation, navigation, trajectory generation, and optimization theory.
• Have experience prototyping and flight testing missile systems.
• Maintain understanding of software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop development.
• Have proficiency in Python.
• Hold an active Secret clearance.
• Have experience in air, underwater, and space domains.

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 http://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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