Hypersonic Propulsion Engineer (Scramjet & CFD)

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

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks an Aerospace Propulsion Engineer with strong fundamentals and an interest in scramjet propulsion and high-fidelity modeling. You will join a team to design, analyze, and evaluate advanced hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems supporting DoD programs.

You will apply CFD to compressible/reacting flows, develop meshes, run simulations, compare results with experiments, and document methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• Strong foundation in fluid mechanics, compressible flow, thermodynamics, combustion, numerical methods or CFD.
• Applied computational methods via employment, research, internships, or substantial projects.
• Familiarity with CFD, meshes, boundary conditions, methods and physical models.
• Interest in scramjet, dual-mode ramjet, or other high-speed propulsion systems.
• Basic experience with Linux and programming/scripting (Python, MATLAB, C++, or Fortran).
• Ability to work through unfamiliar problems and assess physical credibility.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Motivation to learn and work independently and in teams.
• Eligible to obtain Interim Secret clearance by start date and Secret clearance eventually (U.S. citizenship required).

Responsibilities

• Support design and analysis of scramjet inlet, isolator, combustor, and nozzle flowpaths.
• Apply CFD to compressible and reacting-flow problems.
• Create and evaluate computational meshes for internal-flow and integrated-vehicle geometries.
• Execute and post-process simulations using finite-rate chemistry and physical models.
• Examine mesh sensitivity, convergence, boundary conditions, and modeling assumptions.
• Compare results with experimental data, analytical models, and simulations.
• Investigate unexpected results and develop physical explanations.
• Build scripts/workflows for simulation setup, data processing, and visualization.
• Document and present methods, results, and conclusions.
• Take increasing ownership of technical problems as experience grows.

Skills

Fluid mechanics

Compressible flow

Thermodynamics

Combustion

Numerical methods

CFD

Linux

Python

MATLAB

C++

Fortran

Team collaboration

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CFD software

Mesh generation tools

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks an Aerospace Propulsion Engineer with strong fundamentals and an interest in scramjet propulsion and high-fidelity modeling. You will join a team to design, analyze, and evaluate advanced hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems supporting DoD programs.

You will apply CFD to compressible/reacting flows, develop meshes, run simulations, compare results with experiments, and document methods.