Senior Chief Engineer, Air & Missile Defense

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 125,000 - 290,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in the Baltimore metropolitan area seeks a strategic technical leader to guide the Air and Missile Defense Sector (AMDS). The role emphasizes driving technology strategies, quality, and cross-organizational collaboration to deliver next‑generation defense capabilities.

You will partner with AMDS leadership to shape roadmaps, foster rapid prototyping, and develop strong sponsor relationships, while mentoring technical staff and ensuring rigorous design

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in advanced technology development for DoD major weapons systems.
• Broad systems engineering with navy and/or joint air and missile defense R&D, test, and operations.
• Experience across projects with national level impact.
• Exceptional communications with senior sponsors and leaders.
• Experience creating ambitious technical visions and strategy to inspire staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills leading multi-disciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel domestically for design reviews and sponsor meetings.
• Active Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Partner with AMDS leadership to define initiatives advancing engineering tools, methodologies, laboratories, and computing resources.
• Lead efforts to sustain and mature AMDS capabilities; develop roadmaps and investments.
• Develop external partnerships with S&T orgs and cultivate sponsor relationships.
• Oversee AMDS quality assurance aligned with lab requirements and reviews.
• Foster collaboration across Chief Engineer and Chief Scientist cohorts.
• Strengthen national technical stature through professional societies and recruiting.
• Evaluate technical merits and encourage innovation; mentor staff.
• Guide staff in presenting complex results to government and military leadership.
• Improve communication among technical, line, and program leadership.
• Build relationships with stakeholders across sector, laboratory, sponsors, and industry.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive communications

Cross-disciplinary leadership

Stakeholder management

Public speaking

Travel willingness

Decision making

Mentoring

Education

Master's degree in Engineering

Doctoral degree

Job description

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in the Baltimore metropolitan area seeks a strategic technical leader to guide the Air and Missile Defense Sector (AMDS). The role emphasizes driving technology strategies, quality, and cross-organizational collaboration to deliver next‑generation defense capabilities.

You will partner with AMDS leadership to shape roadmaps, foster rapid prototyping, and develop strong sponsor relationships, while mentoring technical staff and ensuring rigorous design