Cyber Mission Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Healthy work-life balance

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Cyber Mission Engineer to turn complex operational needs into integrated cyber capabilities that advance U.S. missions.

You will translate objectives into requirements and guide capabilities from concept through development, integration, test, and operational transition. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor engineers, and build trusted sponsor relationships while delivering technical briefings to senior decision-makers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Cybersecurity, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or another relevant technical field.
• Eight+ years of relevant experience in cyber capability development, mission or systems engineering, cyber operations, technical integration, test and evaluation, applied research, or related national-security field.
• Led or played a central technical-integration role on an effort that progressed through multiple lifecycle stages, translating ambiguous mission needs into requirements, architectures, interfaces, test criteria, and executable plans.
• Demonstrated technical depth in domains such as software, hardware, networking, RF, embedded systems, cybersecurity, modeling, development, reverse engineering, or test.
• Experience leading cross-functional technical teams, coordinating partner organizations, mentoring staff, managing technical dependencies and risks, and communicating complex concepts to operators, program leaders, and senior decision-makers.
• Ability to obtain Interim Top-Secret clearance by start date and ultimately TS/SCI+polygraph; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop a deep understanding of sponsor missions and translate objectives, constraints, threats, and risks into requirements, architectures, interfaces, test criteria, and executable plans.
• Lead the development, integration, test, evaluation, and transition of cyber capabilities within larger mission systems.
• Lead and/or collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, define technical scope and priorities, manage dependencies and risks, and mentor engineers.
• Build trusted sponsor and partner relationships, and develop and present technical, strategic, and decisional briefings communicating status, risks, alternatives, and recommendations.

Skills

Cyber capability development

Systems engineering

Cyber operations

Technical integration

Embedded systems

Modeling and testing

Leadership

Security clearance process

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS or Engineering

MS/PhD preferred

Job description

Description

Are you energized by bringing together operators, intelligence professionals, platform engineers, developers, testers, and senior leaders to integrate cyber capabilities into larger mission systems?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking an experienced Cyber Mission Engineer to turn complex operational needs into integrated cyber capabilities that advance U.S. missions. You will combine mission understanding, systems engineering rigor, and technical breadth to translate objectives into requirements and guide capabilities from concept through development, integration, test, and operational transition. Working with developers, operators, engineers, researchers, industry, and academia, you will ensure solutions are technically feasible, operationally viable, and aligned with the larger mission system. We foster collaboration, professional growth, and a healthy work-life balance.

As a Cyber Mission Engineer, you will...

• Develop a deep understanding of sponsor missions and concepts of operation, and translate operational objectives, constraints, threats, and risks into requirements, architectures, interfaces, test criteria, and executable plans.
• Lead the development, integration, test, evaluation, and transition of cyber capabilities within larger mission systems.
• Lead and/or work within multidisciplinary teams and partner organizations, define technical scope and priorities, manage dependencies and risks, and mentor engineers in their technical and professional development.
• Build trusted sponsor and partner relationships, and develop and present technical, strategic, and decisional briefings that clearly communicate status, risks, alternatives, and recommendations.

Qualifications

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

• Possess a Bachelors or equivalent professional experience in Computer Science, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Cybersecurity, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or another relevant technical field.
• Have at least eight years of relevant experience in cyber capability development, mission or systems engineering, cyber operations, technical integration, test and evaluation, applied research, or a related national-security field.
• Have led or played a central technical-integration role on an effort that progressed through multiple lifecycle stages, and have translated ambiguous mission needs or concepts of operation into requirements, architectures, interfaces, test criteria, and executable plans.
• Bring demonstrated technical depth in domains such as software, hardware, networking, RF, embedded systems, cybersecurity, modeling, development, reverse engineering, or test.
• Have experience leading cross-functional technical teams, coordinating partner organizations or external performers, mentoring staff, managing technical dependencies and risks, and communicating complex concepts to operators, engineers, program leaders, and senior decision-makers.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Top-Secret-level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI+polygraph. 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...

• Possess an MS or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or a related technical field; contributions to mission-relevant papers, patents, standards, or conference presentations are also valued.
• Have experience working directly or in an embedded capacity with an operational sponsor, mission owner, system owner, or command and rapidly developing an understanding of its mission, relationships, processes, and decision environment.
• Have led a capability from an ambiguous operational need through integration and test to operational demonstration, transition, or fielding, including development of mission threads, concepts of operation, architectures, roadmaps, requirements, verification plans, or technical-review packages.
• Have experience integrating cyber or other non-kinetic capabilities with mission-critical platforms, command-and-control systems, operator workflows, RF systems, embedded systems, or other multi-domain mission elements.
• Have planned, coordinated, or integrated cyber or other special technical operations at the tactical or operational level; served as a cyber operator, mission planner, technical director, system integrator, or operational test lead; or completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I.
• Have led portfolio areas or multi-organization teams and presented technical status, risks, alternatives, and recommendations to senior executive or flag/general officer-level audiences.
• Have experience working across security regimes and at different cadences and technical environments, from focused foundational research efforts to supporting high operational tempo activities.
• Hold an active TS/SCI security clearance with polygraph.

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:

• a robust education assistance program
• unparalleled retirement contributions
• a healthy work/life balance

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
• training and development

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

$100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 Annually