Navigation Engineer
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks an experienced Navigation Engineer to assess and develop navigation solutions for aerospace and defense systems. You will work on GPS-aided/inertial navigation, sensor fusion, and Kalman filtering within a team of experts, contributing to high-impact missile and navigation projects across DoD sponsors.
You will mentor staff, use simulations to predict system performance, and support DoD acquisition cycles.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field (CS, AE, Math, Physics, etc.).
- 5+ years of experience with navigation systems.
- Experience in inertial navigation, sensor fusion, Kalman or other estimators.
- Experience with MATLAB, Simulink, and C++.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; collaboration across teams.
- Willingness to travel up to ~25% and eligibility for Interim Secret clearance.
Responsibilities
- Design and analyze navigation systems including strapdown algorithms and aiding filters.
- Mentor junior staff and maintain deep knowledge across GPS aiding and inertial navigation.
- Use simulations (Monte Carlo, covariance) to assess trends and system trades.
- Analyze contractor designs to aid DoD program offices and interface with contractors.
- Develop and maintain relationships with DoD sponsors and stakeholders; pursue new PNT initiatives.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job 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 a team-oriented environment that values collaboration and innovation.
Innovations in areas like Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) and alternative navigation solutions in GPS-denied environments offer exciting opportunities to shape the future of our nation’s defensive capabilities.
Our team supports a wide array of platforms, including hypersonics, cruise missiles, submarines, and autonomous flight vehicles. As a navigation engineer, you will spearhead development of navigation solutions for these critical systems, leveraging your technical expertise and a passion for continuous learning.
- Design and analyze navigation systems including strapdown algorithms and aiding filters fusing measurements from multiple sensors. We work with inertial measurement unit (IMU), GPS, terrain mapping sensors, and are working with multiple sponsors to identify practical GPS alternatives.
- 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 both 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.
- Have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or another related technical field.
- Have 5+ years of experience working with navigation systems.
- Have experience 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.
- Have conducted analysis and development using MATLAB, Simulink, and C++.
- Have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and are skilled at developing relationships across diverse teams.
- Must be willing to travel up to approximately 25%.
- Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top 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.
- Have a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or other related technical discipline.
- Have 10+ years of experience working with navigation systems.
- Have successfully led navigation system design or analysis activities.
- Have experience and interest in related fields such as guidance and control systems or 6 degree-of-freedom modeling and simulation.
- Have experience with alternative navigation and/or hands-on navigation sensor hardware.
- Prior work experience in weapon systems, including Hypersonic or Cuise missile systems.
- Have a track record of leadership and staff mentorship.
- Currently hold an active Secret or higher level clearance.
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, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
- robust education assistance program
- unparalleled retirement contributions
- healthy work/life balance
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 Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
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.
- retirement plans
- paid time off
- medical
- dental
- vision
- life insurance
- short-term disability
- long-term disability
- flexible spending accounts
- education assistance
- training and development
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.
- sign-on bonus
- relocation benefits
- locality allowance
- discretionary payments for exceptional performance
$100,000 Annually
$245,000 Annually
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