Spacecraft Navigation & Timing Engineer

Position Overview We are seeking a self‑motivated engineer to lead and collaborate with our growing team of PNT specialists focused on time transformation, synchronization, and dissemination. The role involves supporting developmental efforts beyond geostationary orbit, including cislunar, lunar, and interplanetary missions, and contributing to both civil space and national security programs from conception through flight. Responsibilities Support efforts to improve timing onboard spacecraft and surface landers for cislunar, lunar, and interplanetary missions, including civilian and DoD applications. Develop analyses, software, and hardware that provide traceability of time in lunar and surface regions, and establish a Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) referenced to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Exposure to relativistic timing analysis is a plus. Provide intellectual leadership to emerging mission concepts and methods of analysis. Play a vital role on interdisciplinary projects involving scientists, program managers, and engineers from other disciplines. Contribute to cutting‑edge time transfer and navigation methodologies through independent and funded research and development. Leverage relationships across industry and academia to address critical challenges. Stay abreast of recent advances in academia and industry and apply these concepts to relevant problems. Minimum Qualifications MS in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. Significant coursework in astrodynamics, optimization, estimation, relativistic timing, mathematics, navigation techniques, or computer science. At least 4 years of experience in spacecraft timing, navigation, or another rigorous technical field. Knowledge of GPS, relativistic, weak‑signal GNSS, and time transfer techniques. Skilled in analytical and numerical computing (C++, Fortran, MATLAB, Python, and/or Java). Willing and able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance; U.S. citizenship required. Preferred Experience PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. At least 10 years of experience in spacecraft timekeeping, navigation, or another rigorous technical field. Direct experience with coordinated timekeeping for distributed spacecraft constellations or missions beyond GEO. Experience participating in agile software development projects involving multiple stakeholders. Experience with common astrodynamics software environments such as Monte, STK, ODTK, FreeFlyer, or GMAT. Active Top Secret clearance (or above). Familiarity with network access to DoD related systems. Salary and Benefits Minimum Rate: $105,000 annually Maximum Rate: $290,000 annually Equal Employment Opportunity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory