2025 Graduate - Autonomous Systems Seeker and Sensor Engineer - Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Are you looking for a career building deep expertise in a technical area critical to our national defense?

Do you wish to collaborate with and learn from some of the country’s top seeker and sensor subject matter experts?

If so, the Strike Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC), and Seekers group is looking for newly graduating engineers, mathematicians, physicists, and scientists like you!

Our group's vision is to ensure that the United States maintains a technological advantage on the world stage by leading the development and prototyping of advanced weapons and autonomous systems.  We provide state-of-the-art design solutions with a focus on seekers and sensors, guidance, navigation and control systems.  We also specialize in embedded systems and multi-disciplinary design, simulation and optimization.  If you are graduating in Engineering or Science and desire a rewarding career designing and evaluating advanced weapons and autonomous systems seekers and sensors, we’d love to talk to you about joining our team! We are seeking candidates with academic backgrounds and interest in one or more of the following technical areas:

• Electromagnetics
• RF System Design
• RF Antennas and Technologies
• RF Communications
• Radar Systems
• Optics
• EO/IR System Design
• EO/IR Imagers
• Focal Plane Arrays
• Digital Signal/Image Processing
• Detection and Classification Algorithms
• Circuits/Electronics, Software Defined Radios and Hardware Design

You will join a team of dedicated engineers, physicists, and mathematicians who develop innovative algorithms and create advanced simulations for evaluating their design and capabilities. We are seeking creative problem solvers with diverse capabilities and interests to help us tackle a breadth of challenges across systems that include hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, and autonomous flight vehicles. Our team is committed to developing exceptional talent and fostering a culture of innovation, as part of our group you will have an opportunity to grow your expertise across these technologies in an area of autonomous systems that you are passionate about.

As a member of our team you will...

• Have the opportunity to conduct cutting edge seeker and sensor research, design, modeling, simulation and analysis while collaborating with adjacent technical domains in the development of next generation autonomous systems and weapons.
• Develop innovative ways of simulating and predicting seeker and sensor performance in complex operational environments.
• Lab test seeker and sensor hardware and software to identify operational capabilities and limitations.
• Work closely with seeker and sensor subject matter experts who will train and mentor you on your path to attaining deeper technical knowledge and experience.
• Collaborate with a diverse team of engineers and interact with government sponsors, including platform designers in multi-disciplinary optimization studies for early phase vehicle development.
• Have the opportunity to continue your education through a variety of educational opportunities such as technical short courses, graduate degree programs, and many more.

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

• Have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in an Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics.
• Are passionate about creative problem solving and applying your skills to the design and development of our nation’s next generation weapons and autonomous systems.
• Have academic background and interest in one or more of the technical areas listed above.
• Have prior internships or practical skills in RF, EO/IR or related fields.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a 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...

• Have classroom, project or internship experience working with seekers, sensors and/or autonomous systems.
• Have familiarity with complimentary disciplines including: modeling, simulation and analysis; design optimization; software or algorithm development; and hardware testing.
• Are interested in continuing your studies towards an MS or PhD in EE, physics, mathematics or a related discipline.

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.