GNC Engineer: Autonomy & Flight Control for Missiles

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 32,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks students in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering to join the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) team. You will apply control and estimation theory to aircraft/missile systems and gain hands-on experience through research, modeling, and testing.

Opportunities include developing guidance algorithms, flight controls, and hardware; performing simulations; and contributing to testing of next‑generation interceptors.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering or in a related technical field
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Have coursework, research, or experience in control systems, state estimation, flight dynamics, astrodynamics, modeling and simulation of dynamic systems, hardware design, and/or robotics
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and on a team
• Have experience using MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or C++
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a 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

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate guidance algorithms, flight controls, navigation systems, and/or flight hardware for next-generation guided missiles to intercept advanced, stressing threats
• Perform modeling, simulation, and performance assessment of guided missile systems to support conceptual design through flight testing
• Design and build unique test capabilities to evaluate cutting‑edge control actuation hardware systems
• Engage in internally‑funded research and development projects to address performance gaps in weapon systems

Skills

MATLAB

Simulink

Python

C++

Interpersonal skills

Education

BS in Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

MS in Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

PhD in Electrical/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Job description

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks students in Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering to join the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) team. You will apply control and estimation theory to aircraft/missile systems and gain hands-on experience through research, modeling, and testing.

Opportunities include developing guidance algorithms, flight controls, and hardware; performing simulations; and contributing to testing of next‑generation interceptors.