Threat Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Missile Threat Engineer to join the A4H Applied Technologies and Threat Engineering Group. You will develop foreign missile system characterizations and guide threat engineering for the Department of War, supporting weapons development programs.

You will lead teams to create threat models, data sets, and scenarios, interfacing with intelligence and DoD sponsors, and presenting findings to management and sponsors.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in science or engineering or equivalent.
• MS degree in relevant engineering fields (preferred).
• At least five years of professional work experience.
• Experience on missile defense programs or threat systems characterization.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain clearance.

Responsibilities

• Create threat characterizations of advanced foreign systems using in‑house and commercial tools.
• Explore impact of advanced technology on air and missile defense systems.
• Lead teams to develop missile representations, trajectory data sets, and scenarios.
• Provide threat characterizations and vulnerability assessments to programs and sponsors.
• Design data development plans to reflect adversary capabilities.
• Interface with the intelligence community for current system capabilities.
• Develop and present results to team, management, and sponsors.
• Collaborate in a diverse, multi-disciplinary team environment.

Education

Bachelor of Science in science or engineering

Master of Science in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical/Computer/Software Engineering or equivalent

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

C#

Java

Job description

Position Overview

Do you have experience with threat engineering, missile simulations, or the intelligence community? Are you passionate about using innovation and technology to solve technical challenges? If so we are looking for a Missile Threat Engineer to join the A4H Applied Technologies and Threat Engineering Group at JHU Applied Physics Laboratory.

The A4H group develops non‑kinetic engagement strategies by combining an in‑depth understanding of threat systems—including ballistic and cruise missiles—with advanced non‑kinetic technologies. In this role you will develop foreign missile system characterizations, guide threat engineering efforts for the Department of War, and support weapons development programs.

Responsibilities

• Create threat characterizations of advanced foreign systems using in‑house and commercial tools.
• Explore advanced technology and its impact on U.S. Current and Future Integrated Air and Missile Defense Systems.
• Lead teams to develop missile representations, trajectory data sets, and scenarios with threat–modeling tools and improve trajectory tools as needed.
• Provide threat characterizations and vulnerability assessments to weapons development programs, coordinating with laboratory personnel, external contractors, and DoD sponsors.
• Design, develop, and execute data development plans to ensure threat characterizations reflect the best understanding of adversary capabilities.
• Interface with the intelligence community to maintain a strong working knowledge of foreign system capabilities.
• Develop presentations and brief results to team members, management, and DoW sponsors.
• Participate in a team environment that involves personnel with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. degree or higher in science or engineering or equivalent.
• At least five years of professional work experience.
• Experience on missile defense programs, threat‑systems characterization, or operational environments.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, C, C++, C#, or Java.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work a significant portion of the time in a closed area.
• Active interim Secret clearance. Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent.
• At least ten years of professional work experience.
• At least three years of experience in modeling and simulation.
• Programming proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C, C++, C#, or Java.
• Experience with missile guidance and control systems, radars, seekers/sensors, flight mechanics, and/or propulsion systems.
• Active Top Secret with SCI clearance.

Benefits

JHU Applied Physics Laboratory offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes education assistance, retirement contributions, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, and paid time off.

Additional compensation may include performance bonuses, sign‑on bonuses, relocation benefits, and locality allowances as dictated by internal policy and contractual designation.

Pay Range

Minimum Rate: $100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate: $245,000 Annually

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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. The company is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals of all abilities. Contact [e-mail] if an accommodation is required for the hiring process.

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.