Senior Missile & Hypersonic Flight Systems Lead

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Missile Performance & Flight Systems Engineer to lead modeling, simulation, and performance assessments of missile systems and hypersonic vehicles in a national security context.

You will guide system-level analyses, mentor engineers, and collaborate with government sponsors and industry partners to shape design decisions and develop advanced analytical capabilities.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline with at least 10 years of professional experience.
• Substantial experience in missile/aerospace flight system engineering disciplines including modeling & simulation, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, guidance, propulsion, or system performance analysis.
• Experience leading complex technical analyses, system-level trade studies, or multidisciplinary investigations.
• Strong background in computational modeling/simulations to evaluate aerospace vehicle performance.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python or similar environments.
• Ability to exercise independent technical judgment and present defensible recommendations.
• Experience communicating findings to leadership and stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel 10–20 days per year and work in closed-area facilities.
• Active Secret clearance with potential for Top Secret; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex modeling, simulation, and performance analyses for missile systems and hypersonic vehicles.
• Direct system-level trade studies and conceptual design analyses to inform engineering decisions.
• Develop and apply advanced simulation tools to assess vehicle performance and address technical challenges.
• Provide technical leadership across discipline teams and coordinate investigations.
• Mentor engineers and present findings to sponsors and program leadership.
• Contribute to test planning, preflight predictions, test operations, and post-flight assessments.
• Advance analytical methods and computational tools for the team.
• Collaborate with government sponsors and industry partners on technical risks and approaches.

Skills

Missile performance analysis

Modeling & simulation

Flight dynamics

Guidance & control

Hypersonic flight

Leadership

Programming

Analytical judgement

Education

B.S. Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering

M.S./Ph.D. preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Simulink

OTIS

POST

GPOPS

C/C++

Job description

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Senior Missile Performance & Flight Systems Engineer to lead modeling, simulation, and performance assessments of missile systems and hypersonic vehicles in a national security context.

You will guide system-level analyses, mentor engineers, and collaborate with government sponsors and industry partners to shape design decisions and develop advanced analytical capabilities.