Navigation Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible spending accounts

Education assistance

Health insurance

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland is seeking a dynamic engineer with expertise in navigation systems. This role involves analyzing and improving weapon systems performance for the military, requiring a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of experience.

The position offers a comprehensive benefits package, generous salary range from $100,000 to $245,000, and emphasizes collaboration and innovation in aerospace engineering.

Qualifications

• 5+ years proven experience with navigation systems.
• Experience with design and analysis of inertial navigation systems and sensor fusion.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert on navigation systems.
• Design and analyze navigation systems with strapdown algorithms.
• Mentor junior staff in GPS aiding and inertial navigation.

Skills

Navigation systems

Sensor fusion

Kalman filtering

MATLAB

C++

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or related field

Tools

Python

Job description

Description

Are you searching for exciting work in aerospace and missile systems engineering?

Do you have knowledge and experience in global positioning system (GPS) integration, inertial navigation and optimal estimation, and a desire to apply those skills to analyze, test, and improve weapon systems for our military?

If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at APL. We are seeking a dynamic, creative engineer who will help us assess performance of weapon systems under development and influence future missile systems programs. You will join a team of expert analysts in an environment that values collaboration and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Act as a subject matter expert on navigation systems that must operate in extremely demanding conditions in support of the most crucial missions of the US military.
• Design and analyze navigation systems including strapdown algorithms and aiding filters fusing measurements from multiple sensors.
• Work with inertial measurement unit (IMU), GPS, terrain mapping sensors, and multiple sponsors to identify practical GPS alternatives in both hardware and software environments.
• Mentor junior staff and help ensure that our team maintains deep knowledge across multiple areas of GPS aiding and inertial navigation.
• Use simulations to predict system behavior and risks, leveraging Monte Carlo and covariance-based methods to understand trends and perform high-level system trades.
• Analyze and assess contractor designs to assist program offices throughout the DoD acquisition cycle and interface with contractor community to help them design and build operational weapon systems.
• Develop and maintain relationships with DoD sponsors and other relevant stakeholders, working to conceive, develop, plan and execute new Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or another related technical field.
• 5+ years proven experience with navigation systems.
• Experience with design and analysis of inertial navigation systems, sensor fusion and state estimation via Kalman or other optimal filtering algorithms, or navigation simulation and model development.
• Conducted analysis and development using MATLAB, Simulink, Python, or C++.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and skilled at developing relationships across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 25%.
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain Top Secret clearance. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Successfully led navigation system design or analysis activities.
• Experience and interest in related fields such as guidance and control systems or 6 degree‑of‑freedom modeling and simulation.
• Hands‑on experience with navigation hardware including IMUs, GPS receivers, and GPS emulators.

Benefits

• Minimum annual salary: $100,000.
• Maximum annual salary: $245,000.
• 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.
• Generous education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.
• Bonuses or other compensation per internal policy.

EEO Statement

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].

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.