PhD Graduate - Aerospace & Thermal Engineering

2026 PhD Graduate - Aerospace & Thermal Engineering at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL).

This role involves applying aerospace and thermal engineering skills to defense challenges. The base pay range is $/yr - $/yr
. This range is provided by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. Eligibility includes U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Are you ready to put your aerospace & thermal engineering skills to work solving critical challenges related to the defense of our nation and our service members? You will work in a highly collaborative and engaging environment as part of the Aerospace & Thermal Engineering group. We are seeking candidates with expertise in:

• Aerodynamics, aeroacoustics & computational fluid dynamics
• Wind tunnel testing; in-silo, restrained fire, and flight testing of rocket motors
• Reacting multi-phase flows, non-equilibrium flows & fluid/structure interactions
• Combustion, thermochemistry, ablation & surface chemistry
• Thermal & aerothermal analysis, design and test
• Multi-waveband sensor modeling & scene generation
• Software architecture, GPU computing & physics-based algorithm development

Our engineers and scientists collaborate closely to solve thermal environments such as in-silo rocket launch, hypersonic thermal protection systems, and turbulent combustion in detonation engines. We have also worked on spacecraft, lunar infrastructure, and systems deployed in Antarctica. All of these environments create challenges not only in thermal and aerodynamic design and testing, but also in predictive modeling. Our computational physicists, software architects and high performance computing experts are continually evolving state-of-the-art modeling and simulation capabilities to guide design, prototype development and testing of kinetic weapons systems.

They are at the cutting edge of scene and signature generation in simulating performance of the infrared, optical and radio frequency sensors that detect such systems. Our sponsors mandate us to solve today’s problems with the best methods available today, but we strive to also look forward - to anticipate new engineering challenges and new opportunities. Our group sustains an energetic community of innovators.

Current efforts include work in rotating detonation engine technology development, new thermal protection system materials, electric propulsion for space applications, and spatiotemporal methods for GPU-based modeling of turbulent combustion and hypersonic boundary layers. We collaborate with other groups across the lab in nearly all we do, and regularly work with subject matter experts in external academic and defense communities - to consult, to employ state-of-the-art testing capabilities and to partner in developing new hardware technologies and software methodologies.

• Have a PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Chemistry or a related field.
• Are an expert in one of the following areas: aerodynamics and fluid analysis, thermal/fluid modeling, heat transfer, thermochemistry, combustion, hypersonic thermal design, infrared scenes, signatures and related software development.
• Are a motivated self-starter with excellent communications skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a Secret level clearance. If you are 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.

Why Work at APL? The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to defense, security, space and science challenges. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can grow, continue to develop, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates. We celebrate diverse perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. We offer generous benefits,…