Hardware Systems Engineer

Are you passionate about digital hardware, embedded systems, and complex tactical systems? Do you enjoy digging into circuit card designs, system architectures, and lab integration work? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL. We are seeking an experienced Hardware Systems Engineer to help us design, review, and evolve mission-critical distributed C2 systems for DoD applications. You’ll be joining a hardworking team of engineers who tackle challenging real-time problems in support of the warfighter. We strive to foster an environment of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.

About the role

As a member of our team, you will contribute to the development, integration, and sustainment of advanced tactical systems.

Responsibilities

• Review and contribute to the design and integration of complex digital hardware and embedded systems, with a strong focus on circuit card assemblies, computing architectures, and system-level performance.
• Review circuit card schematics, drawings, and test procedures, providing thoughtful and technically sound feedback to improve design quality and test coverage.
• Support ongoing equipment obsolescence analysis and future equipment architecture planning, particularly around computing hardware, operating systems, and cybersecurity.
• Participate in systems engineering activities for a complex DoD tactical system, including requirements analysis, architecture definition, and verification planning.
• Contribute to hardware/software integration and testing in a development laboratory, assisting with troubleshooting and root cause analysis across hardware and software boundaries.

Requirements

• Possess a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field.
• Have 3+ years of experience working in an engineering role (hardware, systems, embedded, or closely related).
• Are skilled in one or more of the following:
  • Digital hardware or circuit card assembly design, review, or test.
  • Embedded/real-time systems or computer architectures.
  • Systems engineering for complex systems.
• Are willing and able to travel up to 10% as needed.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Qualifications

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Have 5 or more years of experience working with:
  • Complex circuit card assembly design taken from concept through manufacturing and production of multiple units.
  • Printed circuit board design, manufacturing, and test processes.
  • Embedded real-time or near real-time systems and real-time operating systems (e.g., VxWorks, RT Linux, Integrity).
  • Computer architectures, including VPX-based or SOSA-aligned systems.
• Have familiarity or experience with:
  • Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) standard.
  • VITA 46, VITA 65 (VPX) standards.
  • Cybersecurity fundamentals and practice for embedded/tactical systems.
  • Anti-tamper systems engineering and technologies.
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and tools.
  • Navy and/or other DoD tactical systems.
  • Software engineering, scripting, or code design (e.g., C/C++, Python, shell scripting) to support integration, test automation, or tooling.
• Hold an active Top Secret or higher security clearance, or are able to qualify for one.

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.

Pay

Minimum Rate $100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate $245,000 Annually

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.

Benefits

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