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Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory · 4 months ago

2026 PhD Graduate - Autonomous Systems Design Engineer: Controls, Navigation, Sensors, and Simulation

Laurel, MD

Full-time

Onsite

New Grad, Entry Level

$102K/yr - $228K/yr

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies. They are seeking PhD candidates in various engineering and science disciplines to design, analyze, and prototype innovative autonomous systems and algorithms, focusing on guidance, navigation, control, and sensor technologies.

EducationUniversities

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Have the opportunity to pioneer design and research in guidance, navigation, and control algorithms in support of the full lifecycle development of advanced systems

Develop innovative models for simulating and analyzing a variety of 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

Qualification

GuidanceNavigationControlsModelingSimulationHardware/Software DevelopmentProgramming/CodingElectromagnetic Wave PropagationSignalImage ProcessingOptimizationCuriosityCreative Problem SolvingCollaboration

Required

Are pursuing a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science

Proven internship experience or possess extensive classroom project work in a subject matter in any of the following areas: guidance, inertial navigation, modern/adaptive control, classical control, optimization; electromagnetic wave propagation, RF antennas, optics, signal and image processing, radar, programming/coding; dynamics, programming/coding, algorithms, optimization; hardware testing, embedded systems, sensor testing artificial intelligence and software development

Are skilled in or have knowledge of coding practices in Matlab/Simulink, C++, Python, or other languages

Have a curiosity and appetite for exploring and solving hard problems

Are able to obtain an Interim Secret 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

Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Note: When prompted to upload attachments, please include a copy of your college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)

Preferred

Have professional experience developing and analyzing control/dynamical systems or sensors

Benefits

Generous benefits

Robust education assistance program

Unparalleled retirement contributions

Healthy work/life balance

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

Company

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is a not-for-profit university-affiliated research center (UARC) that provides solutions to complex national security and scientific challenges with technical expertise and prototyping, research and development, and analysis.

Founded in 1942