2026 Graduate - Mechanical-Fluids Analysis 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

Robust education assistance program

Retirement contributions

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to model and analyze complex missile launcher systems. You will work with operational U.S. Navy data to develop physics-based models and perform CFD simulations.

The ideal candidate should hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering and have a strong interest in fluid dynamics. This position offers a competitive salary, robust education assistance, and additional benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated interest in fluid dynamics.
• Willingness to learn new tools and embrace digital engineering workflows.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical expertise in submarine launcher systems by analyzing operational data.
• Perform CFD modeling on high-performance computing cluster.
• Validate simulations against test data.

Skills

Computational Fluid Dynamics

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Data Analysis

Technical Reporting

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

OpenFOAM

StarCCM+

Job description

Job Overview

Are you excited by the challenge of performing modeling and simulation and analysis on complex weapon systems in support of the U.S. Navy? Do you have a strong desire to work with data from operational U.S. submarines to understand performance and develop and validate physics‑based models? We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer ready to embrace challenges associated with simulating and analyzing complex submarine missile launcher systems. The ideal candidate has a strong interest and foundation in fluid dynamics and a willingness to apply and expand their skill set across a range of technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Develop deep technical expertise in submarine launcher and other shipboard systems by analyzing operational patrol data.
• Perform computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, including mesh creation, execution, and post‑processing on our in‑house high‑performance computing (HPC) cluster.
• Perform physics‑based bulk volume modeling and data analysis using MATLAB/Simulink and other tools.
• Implement coding best practices and develop streamlined, maintainable workflows across the team's modeling and analysis tools.
• Validate simulations against test data to assess the accuracy and fidelity of the simulations.
• Support test and evaluation efforts ranging from small‑scale lab tests to full‑scale system tests at government facilities or onboard Navy platforms.
• Provide critical technical recommendations to sponsors regarding design solutions proposed by industry partners.
• Prepare technical reports and briefing materials for presentation to internal staff, government, and industry partners.

Qualifications

• Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Have demonstrated interest in fluid dynamics through coursework, professional experience, or laboratory work.
• Are willing to learn new tools and embrace the changes needed to transform existing workflows in a developing digital engineering environment.
• Are willing and able to travel occasionally (5%) to U.S. Navy facilities, bases, and contractor sites.
• Can obtain an interim Secret level security clearance by start date and ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Significant experience performing modeling and simulation using CFD tools such as OpenFOAM, StarCCM+, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, etc.
• Experience with data analysis of large, complex mechanical systems.
• Experience working with submarines or missile launcher systems.
• Active Secret or Top Secret security clearance.

Benefits

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. The position offers a robust education assistance program, retirement contributions, a healthy work/life balance, and additional benefits such as paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development.

Compensation

Minimum Rate: $85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate: $165,000 Annually