Thermal and Infrared Signature Analyst

Are you looking for a chance to define significant advances to the nation's groundbreaking integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) systems?

Are you a mechanical or aerospace engineer driven to expand to your skills in order to solve the current and emerging needs of the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) with novel methodologies?

Would you like to work with a diverse group of highly educated and skilled engineers and scientists to advance Thermal Analysis and Electro-Optical (EO)/Infrared (IR) modeling techniques?

If so, then we are looking for someone like you to join our IR Signatures team at APL.

We are seeking a creative engineer to join our dynamic diverse group which provides outstanding mechanical and aeronautical engineering services and products. You’ll be joining a hardworking team of people who work closely together to address the broad challenges for programs of national importance. As a member of our team you will work, contribute, and innovate to further our capabilities against rapid proliferation of adversarial systems.

As an IR Signature Analyst, you will…

• Apply strong attention to detail to build numerical models to predict EO/IR signature phenomenology's of missiles, rocket motor plumes, air platforms, and the relevant background scenes in endo and exo-atmospheric flight conditions in support of IAMD technology development and other programs.
• Interact with various domain experts to grow your knowledge base related to overall weapon systems and apply that knowledge to improve thermal and IR analyses.
• Collaborate with senior developers to improve existing code suites with the goal of maintaining our team's status as a leading authority in the IR signature community.
• Compare predictions with wind tunnel, laboratory and flight test data and literature.
• Work both independently and as part of a team to craft studies to characterize specific phenomena’s impacts on various weapon systems’ performance.
• Develop your breadth of knowledge to advance current modeling capabilities to aid in current and future stressors to IAMD.
• Perform aero-thermal investigations of Thermal Protection System (TPS) composites exposed to thermo-chemical ablation and mechanical erosion at high temperatures.
• Document results in technical memorandum and publications, present findings to government agencies and professional societies.

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

• A MS degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, with one years of experience in a field related to aerothermodynamics, radiation transport in a participating medium, CFD, nonlocal thermal equilibrium processes, IR signature predictions of hardbodies, plumes, wakes, trails, or backgrounds including atmospheric path radiance and transmission losses, thermal-structural analysis of TPS composites at temperature.
• Experience with programming/coding/scripting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance prior to starting with the ability to ultimately obtain a 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.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• A PhD degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering.
• Three of more years of experience with EO/IR or thermal analysis methods.
• Working experience with a Linux based computing environment.
• A history of meaningful contributions to multidisciplinary teams on a variety of engineering design problems.
• Experience with CFD tools and meshing techniques.
• Familiarity with missile defense systems.
• Experience with C/C programming.

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.

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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.