Senior Guidance and Control Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Robust education assistance

Generous retirement contributions

Healthy work/life balance

Job summary

A leading research and development laboratory is seeking an experienced Guidance & Control engineer to develop cutting-edge control solutions for advanced military weapon systems. The role involves leading technical teams, mentoring peers, and tackling complex design challenges in guidance systems, particularly for hypersonic and autonomous vehicles. Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in a related field and at least five years of experience, with the ability to secure a Top Secret security clearance. This role offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in vehicle guidance, controls, or autonomous systems.
• Proficient in control theory methods such as PID and nonlinear control.
• Able to obtain a Top Secret level clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of guidance and control algorithms.
• Mentor GNC engineers and manage technical knowledge.
• Collaborate with multiple disciplines on technical risks.

Skills

Vehicle guidance

Control systems

Team collaboration

Initiative

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Tools

ProNav

GENEX

Job description

Overview

Are you passionate about collaborating with experienced engineers to design and develop the next generation of weapon systems?

Can you design and deliver cutting-edge guidance and control solutions, and guide their successful transition into operational weapon systems for our military?

If so, we are looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking an experienced Guidance & Control (G&C) engineer to deliver world-class analysis and development across a range of advanced vehicle systems. Emerging domains like hypersonic flight introduce complex design challenges, including rapidly changing nonlinear dynamics, unique control mechanisms, and mission-specific guidance in highly contested environments.

Innovations in areas like Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) and cooperative control for multi-agent systems also 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 senior engineer, you will spearhead development of agile and robust guidance and control solutions for these critical systems, leveraging your deep technical expertise and passion for continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Apply your expertise in guidance and control to tackle complex technical challenges across a wide range of advanced autonomous vehicle systems.
• Lead the research, design, and development of cutting-edge guidance and control algorithms, grounded in modern control theory and best practices.
• Mentor and guide other GNC engineers and help ensure that our team maintains deep knowledge in the analysis, design, and implementation of control solutions for next-generation weapon systems.
• 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.
• Collaborate closely with experts across disciplines to identify technical risks, communicate challenges to program sponsors, and help shape the strategic direction of your programs.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or another related technical field.
• Have at least five years of experience in vehicle guidance, controls, or autonomous systems.
• Are comfortable in building physics-based models, applying system dynamics and equations of motion in a simulation environment.
• Are proficient in one or more areas of controls theory, including: classical methods (e.g. PID) and modern methods (e.g. nonlinear Lyapunov based, adaptive, robust, cooperative, and model predictive control) and their application to vehicle control design.
• Have a strong sense of initiative, creativity, and a passion for learning.
• Work effectively in a team and would like to mentor and lead technical staff members.
• 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.

You\'ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Possess a Master\'s degree or PhD in a related technical field.
• Are proficient in guidance theory and application to flight systems (e.g. ProNav, GENEX, Optimal Guidance Methods).
• Have deep knowledge in an affiliated field such as state estimation, navigation, optimization, system identification, hardware in the loop (HWIL) testing, or flight-testing missile systems.
• Have significant experience in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML), especially as applied towards vehicle autonomy.
• Have experience in project management, mentorship, and/or leading teams of people.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

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 www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

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].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. 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.

Minimum Rate

$100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$245,000 Annually