Weapons Systems Accuracy Analyst

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

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Education assistance

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab is seeking a Weapon-System Accuracy Analyst to assess accuracy of military systems using statistical models and analysis.

The ideal candidate will have a background in physics or engineering and experience in quantitative analysis. Responsibilities include producing reports for government sponsors and collaborating with other experts.

This position offers competitive compensation, ranging from $100,000 to $245,000 annually based on experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in quantitative analysis.
• Proficient in applying statistical methods for system performance evaluation.
• Ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assess and predict the accuracy of weapon systems.
• Analyze real data using statistical techniques.
• Produce reports to support government decisions.

Skills

Statistical analysis

Modeling and simulation

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. in physics, applied mathematics, engineering, or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Description

Do you love learning about complex systems and how their subsystems work together to achieve a mission need?

Are you excited to apply physics-based dynamical models and fit stochastic models to real-world weapon system data?

Do you want your analysis to become the basis for government decisions including performance improvements for next‑generation systems?

Would you enjoy collaborating with scientists, engineers, and senior government sponsors, and producing reports that directly support national security?

If so, we’re looking for someone like you to join our team at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL).

As a Weapon‑System Accuracy Analyst you will …

• Assess the accuracy of shipboard, missile, and reentry systems, and translate those results into system‑level accuracy predictions.
• Use dynamical models of sensors, aerodynamics, and actuated systems to evaluate performance at both a system and subsystem level
• Work with real flight‑test and simulation data and apply statistical techniques (regression analysis, hypothesis tests, maximum likelihood estimation) to extract meaningful performance metrics.
• Produce clear written reports and concise oral briefings that senior government sponsors rely on when setting requirements, planning flight‑test campaigns, and deciding on next‑generation designs.
• Interact with sponsors and partner organizations, answer technical questions, present results, and incorporate feedback into the next round of analysis.
• Help junior team members learn the same techniques, fostering a collaborative, mission‑focused environment.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you …

• Hold a B.S. in physics, applied mathematics, engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Have 3+ years of professional experience doing quantitative analysis or modeling and simulation of complex systems.
• Are comfortable building physics‑based models (e.g., using Newton’s laws, sensor error budgets) and applying basic statistical methods to evaluate the performance of complex systems.
• Possess proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or C++ for scientific computing (writing scripts, plotting results, debugging).
• Have strong written and oral communication skills, and you can explain technical material to both experts and non‑experts.
• Enjoy working on a team, sharing ideas, and collaborating with people from different disciplines.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain 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 will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you …

• Have a M.S. or Ph.D. in a quantitative discipline (physics, applied mathematics, engineering, etc.).
• Have experience applying software best practices including object‑oriented programming in C++, MATLAB, or Python, unit testing, continuous‑integration, and Git version control.
• Have applied estimation techniques such as Kalman filtering, particle/unscented filters, or maximum‑likelihood methods that use Fisher information.
• Have directly worked on strategic missile, submarine, or flight‑test programs (e.g., SLBM, ICBM, or related launch‑vehicle subsystems).
• Have experience developing requirements and verification plans for new weapon‑system designs or flight‑test campaigns.
• Are familiar with next‑generation inertial measurement units, sensors, and related hardware.
• Possess an active Secret (or higher) clearance at the time you apply.
• Have experience presenting technical results to senior government sponsors and influencing design or test‑planning decisions.

About Us

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