Hypersonic Reentry Aerothermal Engineer

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 245,000; Full time

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking an Aerothermal Engineer to advance reentry system designs, hypersonic vehicles, and enabling technologies. You will contribute to research, development, design, analysis, and prototyping, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful system-level solutions.

Responsibilities include building thermal FE models, TPS analyses, ground-test support, and trade studies, with opportunities to develop software tools

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline is required.
• Experience performing aerothermal analyses for hypersonic or reentry systems.
• Experience modeling thermal protection systems including ablation.
• Strong computing skills with MATLAB and related programming.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to meetings or field tests at government and contractor sites.
• Proactive, with ability to contribute in multidisciplinary teams including government and industry partners.
• Eligibility for a Secret security clearance by start date; ability to obtain Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-discipline teams to develop reentry system designs and prototypes.
• Develop and run thermal finite element models to evaluate heating on hypersonic trajectories.
• Analyze TPS materials and perform ablation-related assessments.
• Support aerothermal ground tests including design, operations, and data analysis.
• Conduct TPS design trade studies and document findings.
• Develop software tools for aerothermal analyses as needed.
• Produce reports and presentations for team members, sponsors, and partners.

Skills

MATLAB

Strong communication

Willing to travel

Team collaboration

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

CART3D

CFD++

Kestrel

Pointwise

ICEM CFD

CHAR

Linux Bash

Python

PBS

Slurm

Job description

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking an Aerothermal Engineer to advance reentry system designs, hypersonic vehicles, and enabling technologies. You will contribute to research, development, design, analysis, and prototyping, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver impactful system-level solutions.

Responsibilities include building thermal FE models, TPS analyses, ground-test support, and trade studies, with opportunities to develop software tools