On-Site Flight Systems Test Engineer (Hill AFB, Utah)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Utah; On-site; USD 100,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust education assistance program

Unparalleled retirement contributions

Health and wellness benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Systems Test Engineer to join their team on-site at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. This position involves supporting the Sentinel missile system program and requires strong communication skills and the ability to work across various engineering aspects.

The ideal candidate will have a B.S. in Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics and at least 2 years of experience in test engineering or flight system development. Key benefits include a robust education assistance program and substantial retirement contributions.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of relevant technical experience in test engineering or flight system development.
• Willingness to relocate to Hill AFB vicinity in Utah and occasional travel.
• Active Secret security clearance with eligibility for Top Secret/SCI.

Responsibilities

• Maintain communication with APL program managers and on-site technical colleagues.
• Translate sponsor needs into verifiable system requirements.
• Support system-level trade studies and live flight test activities.

Skills

Test engineering

Flight test analysis

Interpersonal skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Education

B.S. in Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics

Job description

Position Overview

APL seeks a Systems Test Engineer to represent the lab on‑site at Hill Air Force Base (AFB) in Utah, working within the Sentinel strategic missile system program.

Responsibilities

• Serve on APL’s HAFB‑based team, maintaining regular communication with APL program managers, line‑side leaders, and on‑site technical colleagues to increase awareness of Sentinel activities.
• Interface directly with the sponsor, translating sponsor needs into verifiable system and subsystem requirements and supporting the Sentinel Program Office’s “own the technical baseline” objective.
• Work across the systems engineering V through the full program lifecycle—requirements, system integration, flight test execution, and data validation—to support program objectives.
• Support system‑level trade studies for aerodynamics, propulsion, GNC, structures, missile flight test envelopes, release parameters, safe‑separation criteria, and trajectory constraints, ensuring compliance with safety and performance limits.
• Support live flight test activities, including knowledge of test hardware, instrumentation, data acquisition, and range safety requirements.
• Participate in milestone reviews, test readiness reviews, mission briefings, and sponsor Technical Interface Meetings (TIMs) to align stakeholders on objectives and risks.
• Synthesize complex engineering data into concise briefings, generating recommendations that enable sponsor decision‑making and highlight opportunities for additional APL support.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics (or closely related field) with 2+ years of relevant technical experience.
• Experience in test engineering, flight test analysis, or flight system development.
• Strong curiosity to understand how and why a system works and the ambition to pursue that curiosity.
• Thought leadership with a keen ability to influence others.
• Ability to shape day‑to‑day tasking to meet sponsor needs, multitask, and adapt to changing demands with minimal guidance.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills; ability to interface with senior military and civil‑service personnel.
• Willingness to relocate to Utah (Hill AFB vicinity) and travel to APL, contractor sites, and other locations as needed.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (approximately 5‑6 trips per year, one week or less, including travel back to the APL Laurel campus).
• Active Secret security clearance with ability to obtain Top Secret/SCI clearance. Eligibility includes U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS (or higher) in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics (or closely related field) and/or 5+ years of experience in testing or developing flight systems.
• Experience and understanding of Navy and/or Air Force strategic weapons systems.
• Proven thought leadership with sponsor engagement experience.
• Active Top Secret clearance (or higher).

Benefits

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) offers generous benefits, including:

• Robust education assistance program
• Unparalleled retirement contributions
• Health and wellness benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance)
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Training and development opportunities
• Additional compensation such as sign‑on bonuses, relocation benefits, locality allowances, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.

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, 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 with disabilities.

Compensation

Minimum Rate: $100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate: $245,000 Annually