Mechanical Design Engineer

Are you looking for impactful mechanical design and analysis work in advanced aerodynamic weapon systems? Are you passionate about designing new vehicles and advancing state-of-the-art technologies? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can rapidly prototype and build hardware?

We are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to support cradle to grave support for new and existing precision strike weapon systems. Each of our engineers are expected to be able to take a design through the entire development process including requirements definition, clean-sheet design, CAD renderings, structural analysis, manufacturing supervision, installation, and test.

As a member of our team, you will contribute to exciting, mission-driven projects that support the U.S. Department of Defense and the warfighter. Our team is dedicated to developing, applying, and sustaining deep expertise in low and high speed flight vehicle design, wind tunnel and test article development, and vehicle-level dynamics and thermal analysis. You will work alongside experts who are passionate about conducting cutting-edge research and applying it to advance our nation's capabilities.

As a Mechanical Design Engineer, you will...

• Design and perform mechanical/structural analysis of DoD weapon systems and other vehicles.
• Develop future conceptual vehicle designs and execute detailed and system-level design activities, including integration with launch systems and platforms.
• Design and build wind tunnel models and other rapid-prototype hardware, coordinating with external vendors and internal manufacturing teams to meet requirements and schedules.
• Lead and contribute to planning activities for future projects and initiatives while providing technical guidance for ongoing projects.
• Prepare reports and presentations to communicate technical results to team members and government sponsors.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you:

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Have relevant experience in aerospace hardware or mechanism design, manufacturing, and assembly.
• Have at least three years of experience performing structural, dynamic, and/or thermal analysis of flight systems or ground support equipment.
• Have at least three years of experience with CAD design, assembly, and/or drafting using tools such as SolidWorks or Creo.
• Have experience with MATLAB or similar computational tools.
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Are willing and able to travel occasionally to attend meetings or tests at government and contractor sites.
• Are comfortable working in closed-area facilities.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information, including U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond if...

• Hold a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Have knowledge of nonlinear analysis and/or experience with high-temperature materials.
• Have experience with aerospace environmental and verification testing.
• Have experience using ANSYS, LS-DYNA, or ABAQUS.
• Have experience with lethality and explosives modeling and validation
• Have experience with aerospace manufacturing, rapid prototyping techniques, or wind tunnel test article design.
• Have demonstrated initiative, motivation, and adaptability.

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 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

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 View email address on click.appcast.io.

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.