Job Description

Are you interested in advancing the next generation of technologies for national defense?

Do you like working with skilled peers and organizations to innovate solutions for the most challenging guidance & 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 a guidance & controls engineer to help us provide world-class analysis and development on a variety of vehicle systems. New domains like hypersonic vehicles provide novel vehicle modeling challenges, including quickly-changing nonlinear dynamics, control in the presence of large aerodynamic uncertainties, and mission-specific guidance algorithms in highly-contested environments. Additionally, new opportunities like Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) or cooperative algorithms for Multi-Agent Systems offer exciting potential to pioneer future capabilities for our nation’s defensive systems.

Our team works on a multitude of programs, including hypersonic missiles, submarines, cruise missiles, and autonomous flight vehicles. As a member of our team, you will have an opportunity to contribute to the development of agile and robust guidance & control solutions for these critical weapon systems. As a group, we continually seek opportunities to learn and grow, so we can provide our sponsors with unparalleled perspective and innovation.

As an Autonomous Systems Guidance and Control Engineer ...

• Your primary responsibility will be to apply guidance and control theory to solve complex technical problems facing a diverse set of novel autonomous vehicle systems in development.
• You will evaluate the performance of complex systems by using and modifying high fidelity simulations.
• You will team up with other guidance, navigation, and control engineers, working together to analyze, design, and implement control solutions to an array of weapon systems.
• You will collaborate with other disciplines to identify and solve the most demanding problems facing your programs.
• You will have opportunities to communicate directly with sponsors to convey important ideas, present data, and help shape control strategy.
• You will perform research in guidance, control theory, and related fields to 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, Mathematics or another related technical field.
• Have at least three years of relevant experience in guidance or control theory.
• Have basic familiarity programming with MATLAB/Simulink or C++.
• Have strong sense of initiative, creativity, and a passion for learning.
• 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.

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.
• Demonstrate proficiency in one more areas of controls theory, including: modern (e.g. nonlinear Lyapunov based, adaptive, robust, cooperative, and model predictive control) and classical (e.g. frequency based, PID and optimal control design) methods.
• Have a background in guidance theory and its application to flight systems (e.g. ProNav, GENEX, Optimal Guidance Methods).
• Have strong knowledge in an affiliated field such as state estimation, navigation, optimization, AI/ML, hardware in the loop (HWIL) testing, or flight testing missile systems.
• Are comfortable in building physics based models, applying system dynamics and equations of motion in a simulation environment.
• Have experience in air, underwater, or space domains.
• Have proficiency in Python.
• Hold an active Secret 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 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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