Senior Reentry System Structural Engineer

Are you interested in designing and testing next generation hypersonic and reentry systems?

Do you enjoy exploring new technologies through experimentation?

If so, we are seeking a senior‑level structural engineer to help us perform research, development, design, analysis and prototyping of next generation reentry systems, hypersonic vehicles, and enabling technologies to advance our Nation's premiere strategic weapons systems. As a member of our team, you'll be making critical contributions to develop these next generation systems, ensuring the enduring effectiveness of our Nation's strategic deterrent. You will be joining a collaborative team of engineers who work together to provide impactful solutions to system level objectives and challenges. We are passionate about innovation and our team is committed to providing engaging challenging work and supporting continued learning and development

• Lead structural analysis and design of next‑generation re‑entry vehicles, including loads, stress, vibration, buckling, thermal‑structural coupling, and survivability assessments.
• Engage with and contribute to multi-disciplinary teams to solve critical challenges in the prototyping of advanced reentry systems.
• Develop and own structural verification plans, including sub‑scale/full‑scale test matrices, test fixture design, instrumentation, and test‑data correlation.
• Mentor entry-level structural engineers, delivering technical guidance and professional development support.
• Generate technical reports and presentations to communicate findings to team members, government sponsors, and industry partners.
• Lead efforts to develop and improve structural best practices and computational techniques.

• A Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• 7+ years of relevant experience in the design, development, and/or analysis of flight‑critical structures (hypersonic vehicles, space systems, missiles, aircraft, or related high‑performance platforms).
• Proficiency with structural analysis software (ANSYS, Abaqus, NASTRAN, or comparable FEA tools)
• Familiarity with solid‑modeling CAD packages (PTC Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA, etc.).
• Deep expertise in linear and non-linear, static and dynamic structural analyses including stress, modal/vibration, buckling, and coupled thermal-structural analysis
• Demonstrated technical leadership as a structural lead, team lead, or project lead on complex aerospace/defense programs.
• Demonstrated ability to perform structural analysis and inform structural design across the full product lifecycle: from hand calculations to inform early design architecture to detailed FEA analysis to verify final flight hardware design
• Strong communication skills in a matrixed organization, able to interact effectively with APL staff, government sponsors, military customers, and industry partners.
• Are 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.

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering
• Direct experience with design, analysis, or testing of hypersonic or re‑entry vehicles.
• Hands‑on experience with structural prototyping, fabrication, and test, including design of test fixtures, load‑cells, and instrumentation.
• Experience in developing novel structures for aerospace applications
• Working technical knowledge of U.S. Navy or Air Force strategic missiles, re‑entry systems, or hypersonic programs.
• Proficiency with solid‑modeling CAD packages (PTC Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA, etc.)
• Expertise in Design for Manufacturability & Assembly (DFMA) and/or design optimization for additive manufacturing
• Proficiency with the design and analysis of high-temperature composite structures
• An active Secret or higher clearance at time of application.

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.



$105,000 Annually



$290,000 Annually