About the role#
The Air Combat and Strike Mission Analysis Group is seeking interns to help evaluate the performance and military effectiveness of air combat systems and strike weapons. You will join a team of engineers and analysts performing research and modeling that informs decision-making for various military applications. This role offers the opportunity to receive mentorship and participate in professional development events.
What you'll do#
- Build, validate, and refine physics-based models of aircraft, missiles, and sensors.
- Implement propulsion, aerodynamics, and guidance dynamics using AFSIM, C++, Python, and MATLAB.
- Use AFSIM and other simulation tools to analyze air combat and precision strike missions in contested environments.
- Process real-world data sets to identify performance trends and define uncertainty bounds.
- Create visualizations and reports to turn raw data into actionable insight.
- Prepare and communicate findings through briefs and presentations to multidisciplinary teams and leadership.
What you'll need#
- Pursuing a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics, or a related technical field.
- Ability to break down technical challenges and deliver solutions.
- Understanding of programming basics and software development protocols.
- Ability to work collaboratively in groups and manage independent tasks.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
- Ability to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and maintain a Secret Level clearance.
- Experience with air or space systems, remote sensing, or high-performance simulations is preferred.
- Familiarity with statistical analysis and software development practices like Git and CI/CD is preferred.
- Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, C++, or AFSIM is preferred.
- Relevant papers, conference presentations, or open-source contributions are a plus.
- An active security clearance is preferred.
Location & details#
- Location: Laurel, Maryland.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Term: Rolling.
- Employment: Full-time, paid internship.
About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is a nonprofit research center. It operates as a university affiliated research center. The organization focuses on national security and scientific research. It specializes in prototyping and development for the defense and space manufacturing industry. The laboratory is based in Laurel, Maryland and employs between 5,001 and 10,000 people.
How to get in at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
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