2025 Internship - Hypersonic and Reentry System Development and Prototyping

Are you interested in hypersonic and reentry system design and prototyping?

If you are pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics and want to gain experience analyzing, developing, and prototyping hypersonic and reentry systems, we'd love to have you join the team!

We are seeking an engineer to help us analyze, develop and prototype next generation reentry systems, hypersonic vehicles, and enabling technologies to advance our Nation's premier strategic weapons systems. As a member of our team, you'll be making key contributions to develop these next generation systems, ensuring their future effectiveness. You will be joining a collaborative and diverse 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. We strive to foster a welcoming environment of collaboration and inclusion where everyone feels heard, valued, and free to be themselves.

As a member of the Concept Development and Prototyping Team...

• You will develop various software that model complex flight systems
• You will develop and utilize modeling and simulation tools to conduct trade studies and performance assessments of reentry systems and/or hypersonic vehicles
• You will collaborate with cross-discipline teams to develop advanced reentry system designs
• You will produce reports and presentations to communicate findings to team members, external organization partners, and/or government sponsors

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

• Are pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline
• Have a 3.0 GPA or higher, on a 4.0 scale
• Have experience with C/C++, Python, MATLAB, and/or other high performance scientific programming languages
• Have interest developing skills in an engineering discipline such as modeling and simulation, software development, aerodynamics, vehicle design, flight dynamics, or trajectory optimization
• Have initiative, interest in skill development, and desire to work closely with team members
• Are able to obtain a Secret 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...

• Have previous experience with Navy and/or Air Force strategic missiles, reentry systems, or hypersonic vehicles
• Have experience working with or developing modeling and simulation tools using numerical methods
• Are proficient in standard software engineering practices including version control (e.g. git), CI/CD integration, documentation, and unit testing
• Have experience developing 3DoF and/or 6DoF simulations
• Hold an active Secret or higher level clearance

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 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.

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.