Senior Technical Advisor for Space-Enabled Missile Defense

Description

Have you ever wanted to shape the technical direction of space-enabled capabilities that strengthen our nation’s ability to detect, track, discriminate, and defeat evolving missile threats?

Are you passionate about providing senior technical leadership to Government, Military, industry, and UARC/FFRDC partners advancing space-based missile defense solutions?

If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Technical Advisor for Space-Enabled Missile Defense to provide technical leadership, independent assessment, and strategic guidance across a portfolio of efforts leveraging space-based and space-enabled capabilities to address critical missile defense challenges.

This role is based in Huntsville, Alabama. The candidate’s primary work location will be within the Space Based Interceptor program office supporting U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC). The APL position resides in the Strategic Missile Defense Program Area within the Homeland Defense Mission Area at JHU APL.

In this role, you will work closely with the Program Manager, Assistant Program Manager, technical leadership, and Government sponsors to define technical approaches, assess system designs and trade spaces, guide integration activities, and help ensure delivery of technically rigorous, mission-relevant products. You will apply deep expertise in missile defense, space systems, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, test and evaluation, and related disciplines to advance Space Based Interceptor and other space-enabled missile defense capabilities.

As a Senior Technical Advisor for Space-Enabled Missile Defense, you will:

• Serve as a trusted senior technical advisor to program leadership, Government sponsors, and mission partners on space-enabled missile defense priorities, architectures, and technical decisions.
• Provide technical leadership for the integration of Space Based Interceptor system concepts and related space-enabled missile defense capabilities.
• Evaluate system architectures, requirements, interfaces, operational concepts, and performance trades across areas such as fire control, interceptor systems, spacecraft operations, battle management, command and control, sensing, and ground and flight test.
• Lead or contribute to system-level technical analyses, studies, reviews, and recommendations addressing complex mission, technical, cost, schedule, and risk considerations.
• Help translate sponsor and operational needs into technically sound, executable tasks, analyses, prototypes, and systems-engineering activities.
• Participate in and, as appropriate, lead technical and programmatic meetings with Government sponsors, Vendors, UARCs/FFRDCs, and other mission partners.
• Provide independent technical insight and constructive challenge during design reviews, requirements discussions, architecture assessments, risk reviews, and test-planning activities.
• Support development of technical roadmaps, investment strategies, and future tasking opportunities aligned with sponsor priorities and emerging operational needs.
• Maintain awareness of relevant missile defense, space, intelligence, and warfighter activities to ensure that technical recommendations remain aligned with evolving mission requirements.
• Assist program leadership in identifying and mitigating technical risks, resolving cross-disciplinary issues, and ensuring that products meet high standards for technical quality and mission relevance.
• Mentor and guide technical staff, help develop technical talent, and foster collaboration across the Huntsville program office and broader APL organization.
• Apply rigorous APL processes for quality, configuration management, risk management, and technical-product development in alignment with APL’s Quality Management System.

Qualifications

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

• Hold an M.S. in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, space systems, aerospace engineering, or another applicable technical discipline.
• Have 15 or more years of relevant experience in missile defense, space systems, space-based sensing, missile warning, tracking, discrimination, command and control, battle management, modeling and simulation, systems engineering, test and evaluation, or related national security missions.
• Possess a strong working knowledge of the Missile Defense System and the role of space-enabled capabilities within the system.
• Have demonstrated experience developing, evaluating, or integrating complex system-level solutions under evolving mission, technical, cost, and schedule constraints.
• Have experience leading or making substantial technical contributions to multidisciplinary efforts involving systems engineering, software, algorithms, modeling and simulation, operations analysis, and/or test and evaluation.
• Have demonstrated experience working directly with Government sponsors and mission stakeholders to understand technical priorities, communicate findings, and deliver high-quality solutions responsive to mission needs.
• Have experience conducting or supporting technical reviews, architecture trades, requirements development, mission analyses, and/or system-performance assessments.
• Have the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Have experience mentoring, advising, or technically guiding engineers, scientists, and other technical staff.
• Are willing and able to travel to Government, military, contractor, and partner locations as needed.
• Have an active Secret security clearance and the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
• Are willing to reside in or relocate to Huntsville, Alabama.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Hold a Ph.D. in engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, or another applicable technical discipline.
• Have 20 or more years of experience in missile defense, space systems, space domain awareness, space-based sensing, missile warning, tracking, discrimination, battle management, or related missions.
• Have direct experience with Space Based Interceptor, missile defense interceptors, fire control, space vehicle design or operations, or integrated missile defense architectures.
• Have experience interacting with the Missile Defense Agency, U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command, Combatant Commands, or other space and missile defense stakeholders.
• Have experience embedded directly in a Government program office or supporting Government acquisition, systems-engineering, or technical-assessment activities.
• Have experience supporting ground and flight test planning, execution, analysis, and evaluation for missile defense or space systems.
• Have experience assessing system-level performance using modeling and simulation, digital engineering, mission analysis, or operational analysis tools and methods.
• Have experience leading technical teams, programs, projects, or portfolios involving Government, industry, National Laboratories, UARCs, and/or FFRDCs.
• Have established professional relationships across the missile defense, space, intelligence, and warfighter communities.
• Are knowledgeable of APL’s Quality Management System and program-execution processes.
• Hold an active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

About Us

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 https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

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 contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.

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.

Minimum Rate

$105,000 Annually

Maximum Rate

$290,000 Annually