2027 Graduate - Control, Actuation, and Test Systems Engineer

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Control, Actuation, and Test Engineer to develop electromechanical actuation solutions for advanced aerospace control challenges in Laurel, MD. You’ll join a team that designs, tests, and validates actuation hardware and control systems for flight and ground trials.

Responsibilities include building test setups, analyzing data, and presenting findings to teammates and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Foundational understanding of active and passive electronics
• Motivated to design and build electrical and mechanical hardware, including actuation systems
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
• Familiar with MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, and PSpice
• Eligible for Interim Top Secret clearance and eventually Top Secret; U.S. citizenship required

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, program, and operate test equipment, data acquisition and control equipment, and sensors to automate tests and collect data
• Develop hardware test plans, conduct tests, and evaluate data for control actuation and electrical power systems
• Build, simulate, and validate high-fidelity actuation system models using experimental data
• Participate in design, integration, and test of prototype electromechanical fixtures for missile control actuation systems
• Analyze flight and ground test data and present findings in reports and presentations
• Support external teams in design, development, test, and evaluation of aerospace control actuation systems

Skills

Actuation systems

Electromechanical design

Data analysis

Teamwork

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Education

B.S./M.S. in Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

LabVIEW

PSpice

Job description

Are you passionate about inventing creative solutions to complex engineering challenges? Do you enjoy integrating electromechanical devices and want to work on modern aerospace systems? If so, we’d love to have you as part of our team!

We are seeking a creative, hardworking engineer to help develop actuation solutions for advanced aerospace control challenges. You’ll join a talented team of engineers who collaboratively tackle hard problems in controls, actuation, and electronics.

As a Control, Actuation, and Test Engineer, you will…

• Design, configure, program, and operate special test equipment, data acquisition and control equipment, and sensors to automate test execution and collect data in laboratory tests
• Develop hardware test plans and procedures, conduct tests, and evaluate test data in support of control actuation and electrical power systems, including performance characterization and model validation
• Build, simulate, and validate high-fidelity electromechanical actuation system models using experimental data and hardware analysis
• Participate in the design, integration, and test of prototype electromechanical fixtures used to test and evaluate missile control actuation systems
• Analyze flight and ground test data and communicate findings through technical presentations and memoranda
• Support external integrated product teams in the design, development, test, and evaluation of aerospace control actuation systems

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…

• Hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Have a foundational understanding of active and passive electronics
• Are motivated to design and build electrical and mechanical hardware, including actuation systems
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and on multidisciplinary teams
• Exhibit excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills
• Are familiar with computer-aided engineering design and analysis tools, such as MATLAB/Simulink, LabVIEW, and PSpice
• Are able to obtain an Interim Top Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret 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.

About Us

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 of perspectives 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 https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

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].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with 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. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually