Weapon Systems Senior Analyst

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 105,000 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Robust education assistance program

Unparalleled retirement contributions

Healthy work/life balance

Job summary

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a skilled individual with expertise in weapon systems to contribute to national defense challenges. The role involves working on complex systems, partnering with multidisciplinary teams, and providing leadership with actionable recommendations.

Ideal candidates will possess over 5 years of relevant experience, a Bachelor's degree in engineering or related fields, and the ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance. Benefits include competitive compensation, flexible spending accounts, and strong work-life balance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in weapon systems.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Experience with requirements definition and system architecture.

Responsibilities

• Lead analyses at system and sub-system levels.
• Partner with teams to drive design and development of weapon systems.
• Provide deep expertise for weapon system architecting efforts.

Skills

Technical expertise in nuclear strategic weapon systems

Stakeholder & mission analysis

Requirements definition

Validation & verification

Engineering principles

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering or related field

Job description

Job Overview

Are you driven to be part of a team where you can contribute to some of our Nation’s most fascinating security challenges? Are you passionate about applying your weapon system expertise and analytical skills to strategic deterrence and national defense? Do you want to shape the future of our nation’s most advanced strategic systems? Do you thrive on solving the toughest technical challenges using your expertise, creativity, and passion for making a real impact? If so, we are looking for someone like you to join our team!

Responsibilities

• Be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that applies a “whole‑of‑system” mindset and systems‑engineering rigor to shape complex platforms to meet both current and future warfighter requirements.
• Embed yourself in a cross‑functional team that blends systems‑engineering expertise with operational insight to drive the design, development, and fielding of sophisticated weapon systems.
• Partner with technical leads, program managers, and sponsors to ensure that APL work capitalizes on operational experience, domain‑specific knowledge, and engineering best practices, delivering the most effective solutions to the warfighter’s toughest challenges.
• Lead and contribute to in‑depth analyses at both system and sub‑system levels, producing actionable recommendations that shape design decisions.
• Supply deep expertise on how the system functions, is tested, performs, is operated and maintained, and fits into strategic, regional, or theater deterrence concepts. Translate that knowledge into clear guidance for warfighter employment.
• Provide requirements and architecture insights to inform decision‑makers, evaluate change impacts, and safeguard mission performance through expertise in system requirements, architecture, interfaces, and capabilities.
• Navigate stakeholder expectations, relationships, and capabilities, enabling program leadership and technical teams to better satisfy warfighter needs.
• Continually expand understanding of the weapon system, associated platforms/delivery vehicles, and the broader system‑level engineering processes that support them.
• Conduct up to 5–6 sponsor‑support trips per year (each ≤1 week) and perform additional local travel for stakeholder engagements as required.
• Apply comprehensive weapon‑system knowledge to provide leadership and guidance to support Weapon‑System Architecting efforts, evaluating system flexibility and adaptability to address emerging threats and incorporate future capabilities.
• Apply comprehensive weapon‑system knowledge to provide leadership and guidance to support efforts to use high‑fidelity models, simulations, hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HIL), and software‑in‑the‑loop (SIL) environments to lead early‑stage assessments, guide testing against defined requirements and architectural baselines, accelerating validation, and reducing risk.

Qualifications

• Have 5+ years of relevant weapon‑system specific technical expertise or operational expertise for nuclear strategic weapon systems (e.g., Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, Submarine‑Launched Ballistic Missiles, Strategic Cruise Missiles, Nuclear Warheads, Strategic Bombers), high‑end conventional strategic systems (e.g., Long‑Range Cruise Missiles, Hypersonics), or similar systems.
• Have relevant experience applied to the aforementioned weapon systems in several of the following areas: stakeholder & mission analysis, requirements definition, architecture & conceptual design, trade studies, detailed design & integration, validation & verification, product & sustainment planning, and fielding & operations.
• Have a Bachelor of Science in engineering, computer science, physical or applied sciences, or other related technical disciplines.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top Secret level security clearance. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll exceed our minimum requirements with experience in any of the following

• Have 15+ years of relevant weapon‑system specific technical expertise or operational expertise for nuclear strategic weapon systems, high‑end conventional strategic systems, or similar systems.
• Have helped to develop and field a major weapon system.
• Have an advanced degree in one of the aforementioned disciplines.
• Hold an active Top Secret security clearance.

About Us

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.

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].

Compensation and Benefits

$105,000 – $290,000 annually.

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.