Systems Engineer

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

Job summary

Join the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, as you help assess the performance of the U.S. Navy’s newest combat systems. This role requires analyzing integrated combat systems and collaborating with teams to translate operational needs into effective solutions.

A successful candidate will possess a BS in a STEM field, have over 5 years of relevant experience, and hold an active Secret security clearance. This position offers a competitive salary and opportunities for impactful contributions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience analyzing Integrated Air and Missile Defense Sensors, Weapon System Operation, or Command and Control Systems.
• Experience with the Aegis combat system or the SSDS combat system.
• Strong understanding of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Ability to travel as needed.
• Active Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Translate operational needs into effective combat system solutions.
• Collaborate with partners to assess combat systems.
• Provide technical leadership toward defensive capabilities.
• Analyze combat system performance metrics.
• Develop tools to visualize data.
• Produce documentation and deliver presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

BS degree in STEM field

MS degree in STEM field

Job description

Description

Would you like the opportunity to influence the design and integration of future Surface Navy combat systems?

Do you want to make significant contributions to improve crucial combat system capabilities through operational and system of systems performance analyses?

Are you looking to work in a challenging, collaborative, and exciting environment?

We are seeking a dynamic, creative, and analytical candidate to help assess the performance and influence the capability development of the U.S. Navy’s newest combat systems. Your contributions will help transform data into knowledge, enabling decision‑makers to make informed choices on the strategic direction of advanced development, integration and testing communities for the Navy’s combat systems.

Responsibilities

• Apply your analytical and systems engineering skills to successfully translate operational needs into a comprehensive and effective combat system solution that incorporates technical, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners through working groups to assess combat systems at the operational, functional, technical, and system performance level to advise the future development direction.
• Actively provide technical and thought leadership, through concept and feasibility studies, toward an effective defensive capability through the integration of sensors, weapons, additional information sources, and sophisticated decision processes into an Integrated Combat System (ICS) architecture.
• Assess dynamic combat system performance metrics against the ability of sensor and other information sources to meet the needs of the combat and weapon systems across multiple warfare domains.
• Collaborate with other combat system representatives to identify and leverage efforts that lead to a common, extensible design that can be applied to multiple IPS platforms.
• Develop tools to analyze combat system performance and visualize data in innovative ways.
• Produce documentation and decision support papers on system requirements, system design, technical recommendations, and analysis results.
• Deliver presentations to technical staff, program leadership, and sponsors.

Qualifications

• Possess a BS degree in a STEM field.
• Have 5+ years of progressive experience analyzing one or more of the following domains: Integrated Air and Missile Defense Sensors, Weapon System Operation, Command and Control Systems, Integrated Air and Missile Defense Weapons.
• Have experience and detailed working-level knowledge with either the Aegis combat system or the SSDS combat system.
• Have a strong understanding of how system requirements, design, analysis, verification and validation activities are enabled by Model‑Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) across the engineering lifecycle.
• Have experience solving complex system of systems problems.
• Can perform effectively as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and are skilled at developing relationships across organizational teams, managers and sponsors.
• Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Are proficient at multi‑tasking, prioritizing assignments, communicating progress and meeting deadlines.
• Are willing and able to travel as needed to remote sites and are comfortable working in closed areas.
• Hold an active Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possess a MS degree in a STEM field.
• Have 10+ years of experience analyzing one or more of the following domains: Integrated Air and Missile Defense Sensors, Weapon System Operation, Command and Control Systems, Integrated Air and Missile Defense Weapons.
• Have experience and interface level knowledge with both the Aegis combat system and the SSDS combat system.
• Have direct experience applying MBSE in support of system development.
• Have an active Top Secret clearance.

About 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. 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].

**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.

Minimum Rate $100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate $245,000 Annually