2027 Internship - Missile, Reentry, and Hypersonics Systems Performance

Employer description

Description

If you’re pursuing a degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering and want to gain experience with the modeling & simulation or test & evaluation of strategic missile, reentry, and hypersonic systems we’d love to have you join our team!

The Flight Systems Performance Group (KFM) is a multidisciplinary organization that brings deep, specialized expertise in the test & evaluation, systems engineering, reliability assessment, and performance analysis of strategic flight systems. Our staff combines decades of hands-on experience in ballistic missile and hypersonic test operations with a collaborative, mission-driven culture. We achieve this through thorough test planning and execution, providing independent evaluation and trusted performance assessment for our sponsors. We collaborate across the Strategic Deterrence Mission Area, translating complex challenges into data-driven insights. We maintain a high tempo of flight test operational support, including independent reviews, planning, and telemetry evaluation, ensuring technical rigor informs system performance.

We are seeking engineers to help us with the technical challenges associated with the missile and reentry systems deployed as part of our Nation’s premiere strategic ballistic missile and long range strike hypersonic weapons systems. As a member of our team, you’ll be making critical contributions to ensure the effectiveness of these systems, which typically contain nuclear warheads and are an integral part of the Nation’s strategic deterrent. We are passionate about innovation and our team is committed to providing engaging and stimulating work. We strive to foster an environment of collaboration where everyone’s perspective is valued. Our team values communication, trust, integrity, and flexibility.

As a member of our team…

You will develop and utilize modeling and simulation tools to conduct trade studies, performance assessments, and conceptual design studies of missile and reentry systems and/or hypersonic vehiclesYou will participate in test and evaluation activities to include test operations and pre/post flight analysisYou will collaborate with cross-discipline teams to advise government and industry partners on engineering challenges and design tradesYou will produce reports and presentations to communicate findings to team members and government partners
Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…

Are pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related disciplineHave a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scaleHave a passion for an engineering discipline such as missile modeling and simulation, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, missile guidance, navigation, and control, propulsion, optimization, mechanical design, and/or test and evaluationHave prior experience coding and using MATLAB or PythonHave initiative, interest in skill development, and the flexibility to accept assignments of varied scope and skillAre able to obtain a Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top 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.You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you… 

Have previous experience with Navy and/or Air Force strategic missile or reentry systemsHave experience programming in Simulink and/or C/C++Have experience with software version control in GIT, GitLab, or equivalentHave experience using optimal control software packages such as OTIS, POST or GPOPSHave experience developing 3DoF and/or 6DoF simulationsHave experience with Solidworks, CREO, and/or configuration control in Windchill PLMHave experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools including Newtonian Panel Codes, CART3D, CFD++, and/or US3D
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 https://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 [email protected].

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

$22.60 Hourly

Maximum Rate

$47.95 Hourly
If you’re pursuing a degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering and want to gain experience with the modeling & simulation or test & evaluation of strategic missile, reentry, and hypersonic systems we’d love to have you join our team!

The Flight Systems Performance Group (KFM) is a multidisciplinary organization that brings deep, specialized expertise in the test & evaluation, systems engineering, reliability assessment, and performance analysis of strategic flight systems. Our staff combines decades of hands-on experience in ballistic missile and hypersonic test operations with a collaborative, mission-driven culture. We achieve this through thorough test planning and execution, providing independent evaluation and trusted performance assessment for our sponsors. We collaborate across the Strategic Deterrence Mission Area, translating complex challenges into data-driven insights. We maintain a high tempo of flight test operational support, including independent reviews, planning, and telemetry evaluation, ensuring technical rigor informs system performance.

We are seeking engineers to help us with the technical challenges associated with the missile and reentry systems deployed as part of our Nation’s premiere strategic ballistic missile and long range strike hypersonic weapons systems. As a member of our team, you’ll be making critical contributions to ensure the effectiveness of these systems, which typically contain nuclear warheads and are an integral part of the Nation’s strategic deterrent. We are passionate about innovation and our team is committed to providing engaging and stimulating work. We strive to foster an environment of collaboration where everyone’s perspective is valued. Our team values communication, trust, integrity, and flexibility.

As a member of our team…

You will develop and utilize modeling and simulation tools to conduct trade studies, performance assessments, and conceptual design studies of missile and reentry systems and/or hypersonic vehiclesYou will participate in test and evaluation activities to include test operations and pre/post flight analysisYou will collaborate with cross-discipline teams to advise government and industry partners on engineering challenges and design tradesYou will produce reports and presentations to communicate findings to team members and government partners
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you…

Are pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related disciplineHave a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scaleHave a passion for an engineering discipline such as missile modeling and simulation, aerodynamics, flight dynamics, missile guidance, navigation, and control, propulsion, optimization, mechanical design, and/or test and evaluationHave prior experience coding and using MATLAB or PythonHave initiative, interest in skill development, and the flexibility to accept assignments of varied scope and skillAre able to obtain a Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Top 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.You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

Have previous experience with Navy and/or Air Force strategic missile or reentry systemsHave experience programming in Simulink and/or C/C++Have experience with software version control in GIT, GitLab, or equivalentHave experience using optimal control software packages such as OTIS, POST or GPOPSHave experience developing 3DoF and/or 6DoF simulationsHave experience with Solidworks, CREO, and/or configuration control in Windchill PLMHave experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools including Newtonian Panel Codes, CART3D, CFD++, and/or US3D