2027 Graduate - Mission Modeling, Simulation & Software Engineer

Description

Do you enjoy learning new domains, building creative technical solutions, and working in multiple areas of study? Are you curious about how complex systems work and how engineering insight can improve mission outcomes?

If you are graduating with a degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or related technical field and want to apply your skills to national defense challenges, we'd love to have you join our team!

We are seeking an interdisciplinary technical problem solver to help us turn complex system data into understanding, insight, and operational advantage. Our team develops prototypes and software, constructs simulations, performs analyses, and builds immersive experiences that help analysts and operators confidently navigate performance, training, and application of defense systems. Our goal is to bridge people and platforms so performance can be understood, optimized, and trusted in defense of our nation.

As a member of our team responsibilities include...

• Modernizing mission capabilities through immersive training, intuitive interfaces, physics-based simulation, and data analytics.
• Applying software engineering, modeling, AI, and visualization to improve mission understanding and performance.

For the Modeling & Analysis Role:

• Developing tools, models, and technical assessments that help collaborators evaluate critically important capabilities in operational contexts.
• Exploring missions, scenarios, operational environment data, and system-of-systems interactions.
• Analyzing system datasets providing insights that influence decisions across design, acquisition, analysis, and operations.

For the Software Engineering Role:

• Integrating game engines, custom software frameworks, physics models, simulation components, rendering systems, data sources, hardware interfaces, and external tools into reliable interactive capabilities.
• Profiling, debugging, and improving complex software systems across CPU, GPU, memory, networking, storage, latency, throughput, load time, and real-time frame-budget constraints.
• Designing integrated systems and user interfaces to make complex domains intuitive to understand and navigate.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Applied Mathematics, Robotics, Physics, or a related field.
• Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of MATLAB, C++, Python, Java, AI/ML, data analytics and visualization, web development (HTML/CSS, javascript) or GUI design.
• Have strong technical experience, as demonstrated though impact in at least one internship, research experience, and/or project outside of the classroom.
• Thrive in a collaborative team environment with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Are able to obtain an Interim 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...

• Completed multiple internships, or have research, capstone, or project leadership experience involving sophisticated systems.
• Proficient in at least one software area such as: software architecture, automation, or applied AI-enabled workflows.
• Interest or experience in visual storytelling, artistic expression, interactive design, or other creative approaches to communicating complex ideas.
• Demonstrated curiosity about people's experiences, perspectives, and workflows, and an interest in designing technical solutions that reflect how people actually think and work.
• Advanced experience with game-engine systems, real-time simulation, graphics, distributed systems, robotics, extended reality, or related performance-sensitive software.
• Advanced experience with digital twin modeling and interfaces for real time problem solving and diagnostics.

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 Accessibility@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

$85,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$165,000 Annually