Weapon Systems Senior Analyst

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

Benefits offered by this job

Education assistance

Retirement contributions

Work/life balance

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Join the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab as a Weapons Systems Senior Analyst. You will tackle complex challenges in national defense, utilizing your expertise in weapon systems to influence design decisions.

This role requires a strong background in systems engineering and stakeholder analysis, allowing you to thrive in a multidisciplinary team. A competitive salary ranging from $105,000 to $290,000 annually is offered, reflecting your experience and skills.

Embrace an opportunity to make a significant impact in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant weapon-system specific technical expertise.
• Experience with nuclear strategic weapon systems or high-end conventional systems.
• Ability to obtain security clearance as required.

Responsibilities

• Be part of a multidisciplinary team to shape complex platforms.
• Conduct in-depth analyses producing actionable recommendations.
• Provide requirements and architecture insights for decision-makers.

Skills

Weapon system expertise

Analytical skills

Systems engineering

Stakeholder analysis

Requirements definition

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering, computer science, or related fields

Job description

Description

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!

As a Weapons Systems Senior Analyst for KBY you will…

• 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 ≤1week) 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

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…

• 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 a 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. 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 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. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore‑Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://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

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$290,000 Annually