2026 PhD Graduate - Autonomous Systems Design Engineer: Controls, Navigation, Sensors, and Simulation
About the role
The Strike Guidance, Navigation, Controls (GNC), and Seekers Group seeks PhD candidates in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science. Our goal is to ensure the United States maintains a distinct technology advantage in autonomous systems through next-generation development and prototyping.
Responsibilities
- Pioneer design and research in guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for advanced systems.
- Develop innovative models for simulating and analyzing complex physics and sensors.
- Test the capability of software and algorithms within an embedded systems environment.
- Apply multi-disciplinary optimization techniques for early phase vehicle designs.
- Develop software to support sophisticated simulation and algorithm development.
- Collaborate with a team of engineers and interact with government sponsors.
Requirements
- Are pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science.
- Proven internship experience or extensive classroom project work in relevant areas.
- Skilled in or knowledgeable about coding practices in Matlab/Simulink, C++, Python, or similar languages.
- Curiosity and appetite for exploring and solving hard problems.
- Able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by start date and ultimately a Secret level clearance.
Qualifications
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Professional experience developing and analyzing control/dynamical systems or sensors preferred.
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. Additional compensation may include a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.
Pay
$105,000 - $245,000 Annually
Schedule
Full-time
Contact
To apply, visit APL's careers page.