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Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory · 2 months ago

2026 Internship – Hypersonic and Reentry System Development and Prototyping

Laurel, Maryland

Internship

Onsite

Intern

$22.60/hr - $47.95/hr

Start in 2026

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is dedicated to addressing critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. They are seeking passionate engineers for an internship role to help prototype, develop, and analyze next generation hypersonic vehicles and reentry systems.

EducationUniversities

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Collaborate with a cross-discipline team to design and develop advanced reentry system concepts

Develop and utilize modeling and simulation tools to conduct trade studies and performance assessments of hypersonic vehicles and/or reentry systems

Produce reports and presentations to communicate findings to team members, external organization partners, and/or government sponsors

Qualification

ModelingSimulationC/C++PythonMATLAB3D CAD toolsThermal modeling toolsMission level modeling tools3DoF6DoF simulationsSoftware developmentVehicle designAerodynamicsFlight dynamicsTrajectory optimizationStandard software engineering practicesNavy/Air Force experience

Required

Are pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Have a 3.0 GPA or higher, on a 4.0 scale

Are passionate about modeling and simulation, software development, vehicle design, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, or trajectory optimization

Are able 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

Preferred

Have experience with C/C++, Python, MATLAB, and/or other scientific programming languages

Have proficiency in standard software engineering practices including git version control, CI/CD integration, documentation, and unit testing

Have experience working with or developing modeling and simulation tools using numerical methods

Have experience developing 3DoF and/or 6DoF simulations

Have experience using 3D CAD tools such as Creo, SolidWorks or similar

Have experience in thermal modeling tools such as Thermal Desktop or ANSYS Workbench

Have experience using mission level modeling tools such as AFSIM

Have previous experience with Navy and/or Air Force strategic missiles, hypersonic vehicles, or reentry systems

Hold an active Secret or higher level clearance

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