Senior Threat Systems Engineer

Are you passionate about using innovation and technology to solve critical technical challenges involving the defense of the US and her allies?

Do you have experience with threat engineering, missile simulations, or the intelligence community?

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

The Applied Technologies and Threat Engineering Group at APL develops non-kinetic defensive strategies by combining a detailed understanding of threat systems (ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic vehicles, and similar systems) with advanced technologies.

We are seeking an innovative technical leader to join our team to analyze, characterize, and model adversarial threats, including ballistic missiles, maneuvering reentry vehicles (MaRVs), and hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs). In this position you will develop foreign missile system characterizations and guide threat engineering efforts for the Department of Defense (DoD). Characterizations include system design, modeling flight capabilities, and scenario development of adversary capabilities.

As a Senior Threat Systems Engineer ...

Your primary responsibility will be to research, create, and present threat characterizations of advanced foreign systems to inform DoD efforts. To accomplish this, you will use threat in-house and commercially developed tools with representations of kinematics, guidance systems, control systems, and sensors.

• You will explore advanced technology and its effect on US current and future Ballistic Missile Defense Systems.
• You will lead teams to develop missile trajectories and define scenarios with threat modeling tools and will improve trajectory tools as needed.
• You will provide threat characterizations and representations to radar, interceptor missile, and combat system simulations.
• You will coordinate threat representations inside the laboratory and with external contractors and DoD sponsors.
• You will design, develop, and execute data development plans to ensure that threat characterizations (trajectory representations, signatures, and debris characterizations) are consistent with the best understanding of adversary capabilities.
• You will build and develop kinematic threat models to represent the span of current and future adversary missile capabilities.
• You will collaborate with the intelligence community to ensure a strong understanding of available information on foreign system capabilities.
• You will work with multi-disciplinary teams to perform end-to-end missile defense analysis to directly support the Warfighter.
• You will develop presentations and brief results of efforts to team members, management, and DoD sponsors.
• You will participate in and contribute to a team environment that involves personnel with various academic backgrounds and experience levels.

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

• Have a Bachelor 's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or equivalent.
• Have at least 10 years of relevant professional work experience.
• Have experience working on missile defense programs, threat systems characterization, or knowledge of operational environments.
• Have experience with any of the following program languages: MATLAB, Python, C, C++, C#, or Java.
• Have good written and verbal communication skills.
• Are willing to work a significant portion of the time in a closed area.
• Are able to acquire an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately acquire a TS/SCI 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 a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Physics or equivalent.
• Have at least 15 years of relevant professional work experience.
• Have at least 8 years of experience in modeling and simulation.
• Have program proficiency with any of the following program languages: MATLAB, Python, C, C++, C#, or Java.
• Have experience with missile guidance and control systems, radars, seekers/sensors, flight mechanics, and/or propulsion systems.
• Have experience with community threat models and frameworks (e.g., IMPULSE, OMEGA, TGx, STK, TAOS, GPOPS-II, etc.)
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Have an Active TS/SCI Clearance.

Why work at APL?

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 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 . APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. 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 promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are 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 Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone's voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.