Weapons Test Execution Engineer

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

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in the Baltimore-Washington area seeks a Test Execution Engineer to support ground and flight tests for air and missile defense programs. You will work with sponsors, weapon centers, test ranges, and contractors to develop test requirements, objectives, plans, and schedules.

Responsibilities include assessing system requirements, evaluating performance predictions, developing test strategy requirements for HWIL and flight tests, analyzing results,

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• 2+ years of relevant professional experience in Test and Evaluation activities such as wind tunnel testing, electro-optical testing, environmental testing, or flight testing for missile development programs or similar kinetic weapons.
• Ability to work on multiple complex program tasks independently with little supervision.
• Knowledge and experience with the systems engineering process.
• Willingness to take on additional work and challenges and to develop new skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
• Willingness to travel up to 20-25% time.
• Eligibility for Interim Secret clearance with potential Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Develop test requirements, objectives, plans, and schedules for ground and flight tests in support of missile weapon system development activities.
• Assess weapon system requirements and documentation to understand updates to design and implications to test execution, modeling and simulation, scenario development, and test range safety.
• Evaluate weapon system performance predictions to assess flight test feasibility and range safety implications.
• Develop test strategy requirements for flight test, HWIL testing, experiments and demonstrations, including M&S.
• Analyze flight test and HWIL results to ensure design requirements and regression are captured.
• Manage daily coordination and synchronization of ground and flight test activities; coordinate POAMs and major milestone meetings.
• Support test execution activities onsite at CONUS and OCONUS ranges.

Skills

Systems engineering

Communication

Travel readiness

Team coordination

Security clearance readiness

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering

B.S. in Physics

Job description

Description

Do you thrive in a dynamic environment of collaboration with engaging test teams composed of unique backgrounds?

Are you an impact-focused engineer with a positive outlook and a real passion for helping others?

Do you desire exciting challenges in multidisciplinary test venues?

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

We are seeking a highly organized self-starter to provide system engineering and programmatic support to a variety of fast-paced test activities for air and missile defense weapon systems. You'll be part of a multi-disciplinary team supporting sophisticated ground and flight test planning and execution that addresses evolving challenges in planning and execution of air and missile defense scenarios.

As a Test Execution Engineer you will:

• Work with sponsors, Weapon Centers, Test Ranges, contractors, and the Test Team to develop test requirements, objectives, plans, and schedules for ground and flight tests in support of missile weapon system development activities for air, surface, and strike warfare and ballistic missile defense.
• Assess weapon system requirements and documentation to understand updates to design and implications to test execution, modeling and simulation (M&S), scenario development, and test range safety.
• Evaluate weapon system performance predictions to assess preliminary performance and range safety implications for flight test feasibility assessments. May support additional analysis in these areas.
• Develop test strategy requirements for flight test, Hardware In the Loop (HWIL) testing, experiments and demonstrations, to include M&S, to capture verification and validation evidence of weapon and missile systems performance.
• Analyze flight test and HWIL results to ensure design requirements, intent, and regression are captured. Understand the implications of test results to future test activities and strategy.
• Manage the daily coordination, integration, and synchronization of various types of ground and flight test activities. Coordinate Test Team working group meetings, and manage Plans of Action and Milestones (POAMs). Support major milestone meetings.
• Support test execution activities onsite at CONUS and OCONUS flight test ranges.

Qualifications

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

• Have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
• Have 2+ years of relevant professional experience in Test and Evaluation activities such as: wind tunnel testing, electro-optical testing, environmental testing, or flight testing for missile development programs or similar kinetic weapons.
• Have shown a demonstrated ability to work on multiple complex program tasks independently with little supervision.
• Have knowledge and experience with the systems engineering process
• Have a willingness to take on additional work and challenges and to develop new skills.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
• Can support periodic travel to sponsor, contractor, and test sites (up to 20-25% time).
• Are able to obtain 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'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related fields.
• Have at least 4 years of relevant professional experience
• Have experience with missile test ranges, missile or weapon development programs, and test range instrumentation.
• Have formal Systems Engineering process experience.
• Possess a Top Secret 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 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