Weapons Systems Test Engineer

About the role

Join the Weapons Systems Engineering and Survivability Group (KVV) within the Force Projection Sector at APL to lead the planning and execution of tests for advanced strike weapon systems. In this role, you will provide systems engineering expertise throughout system development and drive definition and execution of test and evaluation activities that enable credible verification of advanced strike weapon systems.

This position supports rapid prototyping, system integration, field experimentation, and ground/flight test activities for advanced strike weapon systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to multidisciplinary teams comprised of government sponsors, government labs, industry partners, and other UARCs/FFRDCs focusing on requirements decomposition and analysis, concept/technology development, acquisition, test planning and execution, system evaluation, post-test data analysis decision support, and risk assessments.
• Assess and understand weapon system requirements, architecture, and design and their implications to test execution and scenario planning.
• Develop and maintain test strategy and objectives for ground testing, flight testing, experiments and demonstrations, and software simulations to assess performance and verification of advanced strike weapon systems.
• Develop test requirements, objectives, plans, and schedules for ground and flight tests in support of advanced strike weapon system development activities.
• Evaluate weapon system performance predictions to assess preliminary performance and range safety implications for flight test feasibility.
• Coordinate test resource usage both within APL and externally, working with all stakeholders to ensure that facilities, personnel, and technical requirements are met.
• Analyze test results to assess system performance, identify deficiencies, determine root causes, and recommend design and/or test improvements for future development.
• Deliver formal presentations and reports to codify technical recommendations and solutions to sponsors and stakeholders, and effectively communicate proposed concepts/solutions and analysis results.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, or related technical field.
• 3+ years of systems test engineering experience in the development and test and evaluation of complex systems, including one or more of the following: system requirements analysis; understanding system design and architecture; testing and analysis within a weapon/missile system development cycle; system verification and validation; ground/flight test planning and execution.
• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple complex program tasks independently with little supervision.
• High initiative and a willingness to develop new skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, as well as strong critical thinking skills.
• Ability to interact effectively with and lead multidisciplinary teams, including industry and government sponsors.
• Willing and able to travel periodically to sponsor, contractor, and test sites (15-20% time).
• Able to obtain the required Special Access Program (SAP) level access.
• Able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret/SCI level clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Advanced degree in engineering, mathematics, physics, or related technical field and/or completion of a formal T&E program.
• 5+ years of experience in systems test engineering in the development and test and evaluation of weapons/missile systems.
• Familiarity with running modeling and simulation tools such as STK, TAOS, Matlab, or other scripting languages (e.g., Python), and analyzing outputs.
• Experience with any of the following related to missile programs: environmental testing, interoperability testing, missile test ranges, missile or weapon development programs, and test range instrumentation.
• Active Top Secret/SCI level security clearance.

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. 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.

APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Generous benefits include a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

Pay

Minimum Rate: $100,000 Annually

Maximum Rate: $245,000 Annually

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. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation, including sign-on bonuses, relocation benefits, locality allowance, or discretionary payments for exceptional performance.