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Job Description

Be Part of Something Innovative

Over the past 25 years, the Space Exploration Sector at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland, has pushed the boundaries of what is possible; delivering game-changing impacts to sponsors like NASA and the Department of Defense. This includes historic, space science firsts like New Horizons reaching Pluto, Parker Solar Probe being the first spacecraft to “touch” the sun, and the DART mission that redirected an asteroid for planetary defense.As a not-for-profit university affiliated research center, APL has delivered solutions to our nation’s national security challenges, as proven with the recent Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) technology demonstration, and acts as a trusted partner with the US Space Force in space domain awareness and space-integrated warfare.

APL teams are currently developing missions that will advance the search for life in the Solar System through programs such as Europa Clipper and Dragonfly, exploring the lunar and cis-lunar domains, and providing fundamental knowledge of our Sun’s influence on the near-Earth environment through IMAP and other research and technology endeavors.  We also provide game changing solutions to the most difficult and important national security space challenges. To learn about these APL’s mission and projects, visit  https://civspace.jhuapl.edu/ and https://www.jhuapl.edu/OurWork/NationalSecuritySpace.

We are seeking a Deputy Flight System Engineer for the Dragonfly mission to provide thought leadership and experience related to rotorcraft design, develop, verification and validation (V&V), and test.  You will be joining a hardworking team of engineers in a collaborative and diverse environment.  You will work closely with the Flight System Engineer and other program leaders to: 

• Formulate the V&V program for the rotorcraft flight capability within the risk context of a NASA New Frontiers mission
• Lead the strategic planning for the rotorcraft V&V program, specifically in defining the appropriate mix of testing and analysis methods to validate models of aerodynamic behavior
• Provide insight, thought leadership, and as necessary, direction to the Lander team regarding rotorcraft design, development, and capabilities
• Identify and solicit the of advice from external rotorcraft experts or resources as dictated by project technical problems as they arise
• Serve as liaison to the rotorcraft/VTOL community and Dragonfly team partners (PSU, Sikorsky, Ames/Langley)

We know that everyone comes from different walks of life and brings their own vibrant diversity to the teams they join. You are the right fit at APL if you want to take on our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges in a welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

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

• Possess a PhD in Aerospace Engineering.
• Have 20+ years of demonstrated ability and experience in the development, design, and test of rotor systems/vertical flight systems as well as the complex modeling and simulation activities and breadth of understanding in the engineering disciplines and processes required for these activities. 
• Have 10+ years of proven experience in technical management of teams with a record of accomplishment of excellent judgment and discretion in the leadership of complex technical efforts. 
• Have strong knowledge and relationships with other rotorcraft/vertical flight system experts. 
• Have a demonstrated ability to set direction and implementation plans to achieve goals and build rotorcraft/vertical flight system capabilities.  
• Have excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
• Have strong organization and planning skills with a record of accomplishment in a team environment.  
• Are willing and able to travel.  
• The ability to 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.
• Can demonstrate that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To ensure the safety and well-being of the community, APL has established a policy requiring that all staff be vaccinated against COVID-19. All staff members must provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation by their start date. 

Respect and Opportunity at APL

While the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory brings world-class expertise to a broad range of challenges, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, innovation ecosystem where you can feel safe to share ideas and to continue to grow personally and professionally. At APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas and have earned Best Places to Work accolades in outlets such as Fast Companies and Glassdoor.

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.