Description
Do you have a fundamental drive and fascination in solving problems of all kinds?
Are you searching for impactful work that doesn't confine you to working on the same thing year after year?
Does making meaningful contributions to projects that span from submarines, surface ships, UAVs, aircraft, missiles, to spacecraft sound like a dream job?
Are you a creative person driven by your need to solve new problems, who is passionate about applying your knowledge-and knowledge learned from others-to solve truly outstanding problems?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking an engineering leader who will design, build, integrate, test, and field complex, mission-critical systems. The role spans the full engineering lifecycle, from strategy and concept generation to product realization and operational deployment, while driving rapid-iteration workflows, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and technical direction for sponsors.
At the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), we don't just respond to the future, we explore, design, build, and deliver solutions to invent the future. The Research and Exploratory Development Department (REDD) leads science and technology development, accelerating transformative research and exploratory development to solve the nation's hardest technical challenges. From defining next generation technologies to advancing design and manufacturing, REDD turns bold ideas into mission-ready reality.
As a Mechanical Design & Integration Engineer, you will:
Lead all aspects of design, fabrication, systems integration, testing, and deployment for both physical and digital solutions.
Develop and execute accelerated engineering workflows to shorten development cycles and enable rapid mission-centric feedback.
Model, simulate, and evaluate designs in realistic operational environments; perform survivability (thermal, structural, vibration, and shock) analysis and environmental testing.
Define system architecture, perform requirements decomposition, interface definition, and hardware/software integration for advanced, multi-domain engineering platforms.
Perform safety reviews, conduct hazard analyses, produce compliance documentation, and technical design packages for system design transition.
Manage technical products and projects, ensuring engineering rigor within cost, schedule, and design constraints; oversee logistics, risk posture, and technical risk mitigation.
Build and mentor cross-disciplinary teams; recruit talent across REDD and APL to meet sponsor needs
Communicate concepts, analysis results, and status through reports and presentations to team members and government sponsors.
Serve as a trusted technical advisor to sponsoring organizations, shaping engineering path forward, technology strategy and R&D priorities.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or a related Engineering field.
5+ years experience designing, prototyping, and fielding mission-critical systems leveraging critical technology areas such as autonomy, advanced manufacturing, and survivability in extreme environments.
Strong proficiency in engineering design tools such as CAD/CAE tools (SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, Creo), PDM systems, and GD&T.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to craft technical reports and brief senior sponsors.
Demonstrated ability to effectively lead interdisciplinary teams through various stages of the design, proto@type, test and integration process.
Are able to obtain a Secret level security 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.
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
Have a PhD in an engineering discipline.
Have prior experience as a project manager or principal investigator which include interactions with government sponsors.
Have direct experience with the development of system-level R&D strategy and/or implementation of mission engineering and systems level integration approaches.
Have a broad systems experience, and/or industry experience.
Have technical knowledge in a specific domain, such as human machine teaming, space systems, digital engineering, or systems integration.
Hold an active Secret clearance and eligibility for Top-Secret/SCI.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
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. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu.
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. 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. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually
