2027 Graduate - Engineer/Scientist - Resilient Military Systems

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

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking talented engineers and scientists to join a cross-disciplinary cyber architecture team in Laurel, MD. You will analyze, evolve, and test cyber requirements for military platforms and spacecraft, collaborating with industry, academia, and government.

Applicants should hold a Bachelor's in CS, CE, SE, or related fields, with strong programming and systems engineering skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS, CE, SE, ME, EE, Math or physics or related field.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, Golang, Rust, C, or C++.
• Experience in software development, scripting, testing, and deployment, preferably in cybersecurity.
• Experience applying data science, mathematical modeling, and ML/AI to cybersecurity problems.
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams as a leader or contributor.
• Experience in systems/software engineering, architecture, requirements analysis, and test.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 10% and obtain Interim Secret clearance, ultimately Top Secret.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evolve architecture, design, constraints, and cyber requirements of military platforms and spacecrafts.
• Collaborate with industry, academia, and government to study, design, develop, implement and test cyber capabilities.
• Design robust and resilient solutions for acquisitions, operations and sustainment of military systems in adversarial cyber environments.
• Contribute to future research directions using internal funding opportunities.
• Work with teams to ensure clear communication and timely project delivery.

Skills

Python

Java

Golang

Rust

C

C++

Software development

Systems engineering

Modeling

Cybersecurity

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Bachelor's in Computer Engineering

Bachelor's in Systems Engineering

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's in Mathematics

Bachelor's in Physics

Master's in CS/CE/SE/Software Engineering

Tools

Wireshark

ELK

Splunk

Cameo MBSE

Virtual machines

Hyper-V/ESXi

RMF/ATT&CK

Job description

Do you enjoy solving complex, multi-domain challenges that further the security of our nation?

If you are graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related fields, and want to contribute to important national security missions, we'd love to have you join our team!

We are seeking dedicated individuals to analyze and evolve the architecture, design, constraints, and cyber requirements of military platforms/systems and spacecrafts. Our team works collaboratively with industry, academia, and government to study, design, develop, implement, and test cyber capabilities applied to air, afloat, ground, and undersea military and/or tactical platforms and systems.

As a member of our team...

• You will enhance the design of ships, subs, aircraft, spacecrafts, autonomous military systems, and weapons to increase the resilience to cyberspace attacks.
• You will possess valuable skills in the areas of software development, systems engineering, and/or modeling and simulation.
• You will collaborate with team members in the definition and design of robust and resilient solutions for the acquisitions, operations and sustainment of military and tactical systems in the presence of adverse cyber environments.
• You can use internal funding opportunities to craft the direction of future research.

Qualifications

You meet the minimum qualifications for this position if you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a field relevant to the duties as described.
• Have an educational background or specialization interest in at least one of the following categories:
  • Proficiency in one or more programming languages such as Python, Java, Golang, Rust, C, or C++.
  • Proven experience in software development, scripting, testing, and deployment, preferably in a cybersecurity context.
  • Experience writing, analyzing, performing gap analysis, or validating requirements in accordance with INCOSE or IEEE/ISO standards.
  • Have experience applying data science, mathematical modeling, and/or machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to solve cybersecurity problems.
• Demonstrated the ability to work in teams as a leader and/or a contributor.
• Proven demonstration as a critical thinker, developing solutions to complex problems.
• Have experience in applied research for the areas of systems/software engineering, system definition, design, and development, system architecture, requirements analysis, test and evaluation, or a related field.
• Have demonstrated experience with system design and prototyping novel solutions including concept development, requirements analysis, design, test and evaluation.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to occasionally travel (up to 10%) and work as required in classified areas.
• 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 will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have:

• A Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or Software Engineering.
• Experience with computer networks and network analysis tools (e.g., Wireshark, Suite, ELK [Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana], Splunk, Suricata).
• Engineering experience in the area of model-based systems engineering (MBSE), use of tools such as Cameo or other industry standard tools for developing complex systems-of-systems models.
• Experience with cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., Risk Management Framework [RMF], ATT&CK, Zero Trust).
• Experience developing solutions that inhibit or mitigate operational impact from cyberspace attack given constraints of funding, operations, performance and/or organization.
• Hands‑on experience planning, developing, and using simulation capabilities and advanced analytics for analyzing complex problems.
• Experience with virtual machines, virtual networking, and/or hypervisor configuration/management (e.g., ESXi, Hyper‑V).

About Us

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 [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