Senior Data Fusion & Tracking Engineer - National Defense

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

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Data Fusion and Tracking Systems Engineer to advance next-generation tracking and data fusion for national defense. You will develop algorithms, model and validate performance, and integrate approaches across sensor modalities.

You will collaborate with DoD sponsors and multidisciplinary teams, lead technical studies, mentor engineers, and help shape future system capabilities while maintaining a focus on mission-critical outcomes.

Qualifications

• BS in a technical field such as mathematics, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, statistics, or systems engineering.
• 5+ years of experience developing and evaluating tracking and data fusion algorithms and systems.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, C/C++, or Julia.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical briefings.

Responsibilities

• Develop, evaluate, and improve advanced tracking and data fusion algorithms through modeling, simulation, analysis, and test data assessment.
• Evaluate tracking algorithms within complex systems and system-of-systems architectures to identify performance limitations and recommend design improvements.
• Design and conduct technical studies to develop algorithmic proof‑of‑concept capabilities and quantitative recommendations for future system designs.
• Analyze tracking performance, sensor information, and algorithm effectiveness using modeling, simulation, and data analysis tools.
• Collaborate with internal teams, government sponsors, and external organizations to solve challenging technical problems involving tracking and data fusion.
• Develop and present technical analyses, recommendations, and briefing materials to sponsors and other key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the technical direction of tracking and data fusion efforts while mentoring junior staff and fostering technical excellence.

Skills

Multi-target tracking

Multi-sensor data fusion

Data association

State estimation

Kalman filtering

MHT

JPDA

Tracking initiation/maintenance

Distributed data fusion

Scientific programming

Communication skills

Education

BS in a technical field (math, EE, CS, physics, stats, systems Eng)

MS/PhD in applied math, EE, CS, physics, statistics, or systems engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Julia

Job description

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Data Fusion and Tracking Systems Engineer to advance next-generation tracking and data fusion for national defense. You will develop algorithms, model and validate performance, and integrate approaches across sensor modalities.

You will collaborate with DoD sponsors and multidisciplinary teams, lead technical studies, mentor engineers, and help shape future system capabilities while maintaining a focus on mission-critical outcomes.