2026 Graduate - Computer Engineer, Shipboard Systems Team

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Education assistance

Training and development

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Computer Engineer to join a multidisciplinary team modernizing the analysis of weapon systems. The role involves creating and maintaining databases, integrating hardware/software solutions, and developing software in an Agile environment.

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Engineering or a related field and be familiar with languages like C++ and Python. Compensation ranges from $85,000 to $165,000 annually along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Strong curiosity about Digital Engineering and familiarity with coding practices.
• Willing to learn and able to travel occasionally (5%).
• Ability to obtain necessary security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and modernize legacy software applications written in C++.
• Prototype new approaches to data storage and display.
• Develop sensor and data acquisition systems.

Skills

C++

Python

SQL Server

MATLAB

C#

JavaScript

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

GitLab

Jira

Job description

Description

Do you want to become an expert in creating and maintaining high-quality databases and analysis software? Do you love integrating hardware and software solutions? Do you care deeply about the mission of the United States Navy and want to make an immediate and significant impact? If you are graduating with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering or a closely related field, we’d love to have you join our team.

We are seeking a Computer Engineer eager to take on new challenges in the rapidly evolving field of Digital Engineering (DE). You will join a multidisciplinary team that is modernizing the way we analyze deployed and future weapon systems, supporting sponsors and industry partners by maintaining and modernizing Navy systems, delivering new capabilities, and transforming data storage and analysis for the DE age. In addition to software, we are looking for someone proficient at creating hardware solutions that integrate sensors with data acquisition systems, and for integrating Artificial Intelligence capabilities into our workflows where appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Learn and maintain legacy software applications written in C++, with an eye toward modernization.
• Prototype new approaches to data storage and display using database and engineering tools such as SQL Server, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, and integrating AI solutions as appropriate.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams (Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering) to develop sensor and data acquisition systems to collect data during in‑house and field testing.
• Implement RESTful API calls to access databases and connect various engineering programs.
• Develop software in an Agile team setting using GitLab, Jira, and related tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Engineering or a closely related field.
• Strong curiosity about DE and familiarity with agentic coding practices for data analysis.
• Comfortable learning and using programming languages including C#, Python, MATLAB, C++, JavaScript, etc.
• Willing and able to travel occasionally (5%) to U.S. Navy facilities, bases, and contractor sites.
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by start date and ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance; eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience (e.g., internships) as a Computer Engineer, particularly with a focus on DE for mechanical systems.
• Experience designing data acquisition systems to ingest data streams from various sensor types.
• Navy‑related experience, particularly with submarines or weapon systems.
• Experience with databases and Machine Learning applications, particularly integration with Apache Parquet and Arrow.
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Compensation

Minimum Rate: $85,000 annually

Maximum Rate: $165,000 annually

Additional compensation may include a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

Benefits

APL provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

Equal Opportunity 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 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 [e-mail].

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.