Tactical Aviation Mission Analyst

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

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) seeks a Tactical Aviation Mission Analyst to help evaluate future air combat systems, weapons, countermeasures, and multi-domain sensing. You will bridge operational aviation experience into modeling and simulation, developing scenarios, and communicating results to decision-makers.

You will work with a large team of analysts and engineers to frame questions, apply simulation tools, and interpret results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent military or professional experience relevant to the role.
• Operational experience in tactical or test air missions, including planning, leading, evaluating, or instructing.
• Ability to communicate complex operational concepts with technical teams and partners.
• Willingness to learn modeling and simulation tools, data analysis methods, scripting, or scientific computing workflows.
• Eligibility for Interim Secret security clearance by start date, with potential for Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

• Apply tactical aviation experience to mission-level analysis of advanced air systems.
• Develop operational scenarios, concepts of employment, tactics, and measures of effectiveness.
• Collaborate with analysts, software developers, engineers, operators, and decision-makers.
• Learn and apply modeling and simulation tools to assess air combat and strike missions at multiple levels.
• Interpret results, communicate insights, and brief findings to diverse audiences.
• Contribute to research on future air combat, autonomy, and force employment challenges.

Skills

Operational aviation experience

Modeling & simulation

Data analysis

Scripting

Communication with technical teams

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

AFSIM

Brawler

Suppressor

Data analysis tools

Job description

Description

Do you have experience planning, leading, instructing, evaluating, or executing tactical aviation or operational test missions in complex operational environments?

Are you interested in applying your operational judgment to help shape the next generation of air combat systems and operational concepts?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We are seeking an experienced tactical aviation professional to help evaluate future air combat systems, weapons, countermeasures, and multi-domain sensing and communications. This role is a bridge from operational aviation experience into modeling, simulation, and analysis. We do not expect you to arrive as an experienced modeling and simulation analyst. We will help you learn our tools and methods while you help us ask better operational questions, build realistic scenarios, evaluate concepts of employment, and communicate results to military and technical decision-makers.

We are a large team of more than 50 computer scientists and analysts performing mission-level analysis to drive acquisition decisions on important precision strike technologies. Our work is sophisticated, engaging, and frequently has significant impact on Department of War programs. We believe in building strong, productive teams; continually growing our capabilities; cultivating collaborative relationships; and encouraging a work environment that embraces integrity, trust, confidence, teamwork, accountability, and fun. Our team emphasizes sustainable staff development, intellectual integrity, and the delivery of outstanding, unbiased analysis products.

As a Tactical Aviation Mission Analyst, you will...

• Apply tactical aviation experience to mission-level analysis of advanced air combat and strike warfare systems.
• Develop operational scenarios, mission vignettes, concepts of employment, tactics, and measures of effectiveness for aircraft, weapons, sensors, countermeasures, communications, electronic warfare systems, and other mission systems.
• Work with analysts, software developers, engineers, military operators, program offices, and decision-makers to frame analytical questions and evaluate operational effectiveness.
• Learn and apply modeling and simulation tools to assess air combat and precision strike missions at the system, system-of-systems, and force-structure levels.
• Interpret simulation results, identify operationally meaningful insights, communicate limitations, and brief findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Contribute to research efforts that explore future air combat, strike warfare, electronic warfare, autonomy, teaming, and force employment challenges.

Qualifications

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

• Have a bachelor's degree in any field, or equivalent military or professional experience relevant to the role.
• Have operational experience in multiple aspects of tactical or test air missions, such as planning, leading, evaluating, executing, or instructing, including applying or developing tactics, techniques, procedures, concepts of employment, mission plans, or operational test approaches.
• Have experience communicating complex operational concepts clearly with technical teams, government civilians, military officers, and other partners.
• Are comfortable learning technical and quantitative analysis methods, including modeling and simulation tools, data analysis methods, scripting, or scientific computing workflows.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret-level security clearance by your start date and 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...

• Have experience as a tactics officer, weapons officer, operational test professional, instructor, mission commander, or graduate/instructor from an advanced weapons and tactics school or equivalent.
• Have experience using modeling, simulation, operations research, mission analysis, data analysis, scripting, or tools such as AFSIM, Brawler, or Suppressor.
• Have experience leading teams, mentoring others, instructing tactical concepts, or helping others develop operational judgment.
• Hold an active Secret or higher-level security clearance.

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 https://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