Radiation Hardened (RADHARD) Electronics Engineer

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Radiation Hardened Electronics Engineer in the System Modeling and Estimation Group. You will analyze the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and contribute to the next generation of U.S.

strategic systems. In this role, you will work with sponsors and partners, perform technical analyses of electronics against nuclear events and space radiation, and expand your expertise in radiation hardness and survivability using

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field with 3+ years of experience.
• Familiar with hardware design and development of analog or digital electronics, FPGAs, and/or software systems.
• Familiar with radiation environments and the principles of radiation interactions with matter.
• Strong mathematical and statistical background.
• Attention to detail with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative, skill‑development interest, and flexibility to accept varied‑scope assignments.
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Analyze the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and structures.
• Perform analyses of electronics response to nuclear events and the space environment.
• Use in-house or third-party modeling tools for rigorous analyses.
• Identify information needed to perform credible system-level analyses.
• Review work produced by external partners.
• Support instrument and system-level design reviews.
• Expand technical skillset in nuclear hardness and survivability.
• Interact with sponsors and representatives of other organizations.

Skills

Hardware design familiarity

FPGAs

Software systems familiarity

Mathematical background

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Initiative and flexibility

Security clearance eligibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s or PhD in a related field

Job description

Overview

As a Radiation Hardened (RADHARD) Electronics Engineer in the System Modeling and Estimation Group within the Force Projection Sector of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), you will address strategic deterrence and defense challenges by analyzing nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and contributing to the next generation of U.S. Strategic Systems.

Responsibilities

• Work with a talented multi‑disciplinary team.
• Analyze the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and structures.
• Perform technical analyses to understand, evaluate, and characterize the response of component and system level electronics to nuclear events and the natural space environment.
• Use in‑house or third‑party modeling tools to perform rigorous technical analyses.
• Identify and collect information needed to perform credible analysis of system level effects.
• Perform technical analyses of work produced by external partners.
• Support instrument and system level design reviews.
• Expand technical skillset to include additional nuclear hardness and survivability areas.
• Interact with sponsors and representatives of other organizations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related science/engineering field with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• Familiar with hardware design and development of analog or digital electronics, FPGAs, and/or software systems.
• Familiar with radiation environments and the principles of radiation interactions with matter.
• Strong mathematical and statistical background.
• Attention to detail with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative, skill‑development interest, and flexibility to accept varied‑scope assignments.
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Desired Qualifications

• Master of Science or Doctorate in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field with 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Strategic RADHARD or space RADHARD electronics experience.
• Basic understanding of device physics and radiation effects on electronics.
• Experience with modeling or testing of radiation effects on electronics including total ionizing dose, dose rate, single event effects and displacement damage from X‑rays, gamma rays, neutrons, protons, and heavy ions.
• Hands‑on experience designing, implementing, and optimizing real‑world applications of AI and machine learning technologies.
• Experience with electromagnetic pulse theory and system protection.
• Electronics design experience.
• Familiar with natural space environment and their effects on systems.
• Familiar with nuclear weapon environments and their effects on systems.
• Radiation detection experience.
• Knowledge of data analysis, computational physics, or computational engineering.
• Experience modeling nuclear weapon effects.
• Licensed Professional Engineer.
• Demonstrated ability to present to high level government sponsors.
• Active Top Secret security clearance.

Benefits

Minimum Rate: $100,000 Annually.
Maximum Rate: $245,000 Annually.

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].

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. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.