2027 Graduate - Multidisciplinary Design Optimization

About the Role

Develop innovative solutions to revolutionize the design, analysis, and optimization of US weapon systems. Join the Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) team as a weapon system concept development engineer, helping to engineer solutions to current and emerging needs of the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. The technical group thrives on creativity and impact, with an affinity for ambiguous, novel problems that span engineering and warfighting domains. You will communicate the essential impact of systems-level thinking with subject matter experts, internal management, and APL sponsors to address the threats of tomorrow.

Responsibilities

• Identify, investigate, and solve problems with respect to aerospace vehicle design and kill chain engineering
• Conduct trade, optimization, and sensitivity studies to inform and lead concept development for the next generation of missile and/or weapon systems, including system-of-systems considerations
• Apply yourself across various tasks, including missile design and performance, mission planning, fire control/weapon scheduling, ballistic missile defense, anti-air warfare, hypersonic defense, defensive space control applications, and early-stage hardware design
• Develop and apply state of the art physics-based and empirical models and simulations for the conceptual design and performance estimation of U.S. and adversary weapon systems
• Help guide technical programs to successful outcomes with clear communication to APL partners and sponsors, and identify potential future projects through sponsor engagement and internal research and development
• Apply state of the art processes outside of the defense domain to supplement APL's offerings to sponsors

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master's in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or similar discipline
• Familiarity with aerospace problems and focused experience in at least one system or subsystem-level discipline (e.g. vehicle design, solid/liquid propulsion, aerodynamics, guidance, seekers, trajectory optimization, etc.)
• Experience with at least one of the following advanced design methods: numerical optimization, multidisciplinary design optimization, and statistical modeling techniques such as formal sensitivity analysis, uncertainty quantification, and surrogate/metamodeling (e.g. response surface equations, neural nets, etc.)
• Ability to codify real-world constraints into representative mathematical models which are usable within optimization algorithms, and subsequently draw meaningful conclusions from numerical results
• Proficiency with a programming language (MATLAB, Python, C++, etc.), as well as an appetite for MATLAB programming
• Ability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a 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