2026 Graduate - Engineer/Analyst - System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning

About the role

The System Modeling, Evaluation, and Planning Group at APL is seeking Weapon System Analysts and Software Engineers to assess the planning and evaluation of the nation’s primary strategic deterrents. You will work on one or more of the following:

• Leverage data from flight tests and ground tests to estimate errors in inertial navigation systems, missile systems, and reentry systems.
• Evaluate system-level accuracy of current strategic weapon systems and support the design and engineering of future systems.
• Apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data fusion methodologies to complex, real-world problems.
• Develop software and implement vehicle dynamics models for new and prototype weapon systems.
• Contribute to operational concepts for new weapon systems that leverage advances in estimation and optimization.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to analyze the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and structures.

Responsibilities

You will work on one or more of the following tasks:

• Learn about the principles of inertial navigation systems, including accelerometers and gyroscopes.
• Study the dynamics of missile systems, reentry systems, and their associated fuzing mechanisms.
• Apply statistical analysis, parameter estimation, and inverse problems.
• Implement Kalman filtering and maximum likelihood estimation using Fisher information.
• Use linear systems and optimization methods to solve complex problems.
• Develop software in C++ or other object-oriented programming languages.
• Design and administer SQL databases.
• Utilize Model-Based Engineering applications such as DOORs, Cameo, and SysML.
• Work on High Energy Particle Physics, Thermal Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Weapon Effects, or Plasma Physics.

Requirements

• Have a Bachelor’s degree in Math, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• Be familiar with software development and implementation.
• Be familiar with data analysis and associated computational challenges.
• Be inquisitive and willing to learn new skills and expand your capabilities.
• Able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance.

Qualifications

• Have a Master’s degree in Math, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.
• Experience with statistical analysis, parameter estimation and inverse problems, Kalman filtering, or maximum likelihood estimation using Fisher information.
• Experience with linear systems and optimization methods.
• Experience with tactical or strategic missile systems.
• Experience developing software in C++ or other object-oriented programming languages.
• Experience with SQL, Database design and administration.
• Experience with Model-based engineering applications such as DOORs, Cameo, and SysML.
• Knowledge of High Energy Particle Physics, Thermal Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Weapon Effects, or Plasma Physics.
• Have an active Secret or higher level clearance.

Skills

Preferred skills include:

• Experience with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data fusion methodologies.
• Experience with mission planning and vehicle dynamics models for new and prototype weapon systems.
• Experience with operational concepts for new weapon systems that leverage advances in estimation and optimization.
• Experience with analyzing the nuclear survivability of strategic weapon systems and structures.

Benefits

APL offers 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.

Pay

$85,000 - $165,000 Annually

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week