Job Description

Are you interested in a rewarding career that will fully leverage your deep knowledge and experience in electro optics and infrared (EO/IR) seekers and sensors?

Do you have a passion for making critical contributions to the design and assessment of the EO/IR systems and host platforms critical to our nation’s defense?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

We need your help with designing, modeling, and evaluating the cutting edge EO/IR systems critical to the successful prosecution of advanced strike kill chains.  While most of our team’s work is focused on EO/IR seekers integrated into conventional and hypersonic weapons, we also work on Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) EO/IR systems; ground-based, shipborne and airborne IR search and track (IRST) systems; EO/IR systems hosted on autonomous platforms; and threat EO/IR seekers and strike sensors.  Our team develops and uses physics-based models and simulations of radiometric scenes; atmospheric propagation; target signatures; EO/IR countermeasures; and sensor models to design and analyze EO/IR seekers and sensors.  We also develop signal/image processing algorithms to detect, classify, localize, and track target air and ground targets.  On our team, you'll be a valued member of a deeply-knowledgeable, multi-disciplinary team of engineers dedicated to the research and development of the advanced systems critical to our military’s success in complex future battlespaces.  Our culture values collaboration, inclusivity and diversity of thought.

As a Senior Strike EO/IR Sensor Engineer, you will...

• Lead the design, modeling, simulation and analysis of EO/IR seekers optimized for integration into new weapon systems or upgrading existing weapon systems. Ensure that seeker performance provides the required terminal accuracy for the weapon’s concept of employment and that the hardware required to implement the seeker design will satisfy the weapon’s SWaP constraints and integration requirements.
• Plan and direct the technical focus of a team of EO/IR engineers in the development of a set of modeling and simulation (M&S) tools capable of analyzing EO/IR seeker and strike sensor performance. Analyze simulation results to ensure tools correctly account for the physics that drive system performance. Supervise the verification and validation of the M&S tools.
• Contribute to the design, modeling, simulation and analysis of other strike sensors (such as EO/IR ISR systems and IRST systems and threat EO/IR seekers and strike sensors. Working with other SMEs, contribute to the development military tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure the performance of US EO/IR systems and/or defeat or deceive threat EO/IR seekers and strike sensors. Conduct analysis to assist military acquisition communities in prioritizing research, development and acquisition activities.
• Stay abreast with state-of-the-art EO/IR technologies and the applicability of emerging technologies in seeker and strike sensor systems. Assess the likelihood and potential impact of the use of emerging technologies in adversary weapon systems.
• Develop reports and presentations on conceptual designs, performance analysis and other results/findings. Deliver technical presentations to internal and sponsor audiences.

You meet our minimum qualifications for this career if you...

• Possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Optics/Photonics, or a related field with 7 or more years of EO/IR seeker or strike sensor engineering experience.

• Have knowledge of one or more of the following EO/IR disciplines: Optics, EO/IR sensor technology, digital image processing, EO/IR seeker discrimination techniques, automatic target recognition, EO/IR seeker decision logic, EM wave propagation, IR target signature modeling.
• System level knowledge of EO/IR seeker integration with GNC and navigation subsystems.
• Strong knowledge of seeker performance considerations important to tactical engagement and CONOP design.
• Basic knowledge of one or more of the following programming languages: MATLAB, C, C++ or Python.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills. Capable of working independently with minimal supervision or in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead small teams in the completion of design and analysis tasks.
• Hold an active Secret level security clearance 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...

• PhD in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics or related technical discipline with 10 or more years of professional experience as an EO/IR seeker engineer.
• Experience in writing EO/IR seeker modeling and simulation tools in one or more of the following programming languages: MATLAB, C, C++ or Python.
• Experience with EO/IR hardware including: prototyping, lab testing and/or field test and evaluation.
• Experience with planning and conducting field tests including: writing test plans, collecting and analyzing field test data and writing field test final reports.
• Hold an active Top 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.

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 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.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. 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 promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are 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. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

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