Graduate - Optics & Photonics Engineer​/Scientist

2026 Graduate - Optics & Photonics Engineer/Scientist

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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.

$85,000.00/yr - $/yr

Description

Do you want to explore a career in optics and photonics?

Are you passionate about helping shape the technology of tomorrow through cutting edge research and development projects?

Are you looking for a job that allows you to do both software based data analysis as well as hands on laboratory experimentation?

If you are graduating with a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline and want to apply your expertise to optics and photonics research applications, we’d love to have you join our team! We are a team of highly skilled scientists and engineers focused on the development of innovative solutions to our nation’s critical challenges.

We seek to drive technology advances in a variety of applications including remote sensing, RF photonics, optical communications, optical system design, high‑energy laser systems, applied spectroscopy, optical materials characterization, and advanced photonic technologies (including leveraging FPGA and digital design tools for photonic‑based systems). Our team values include respect, communication, and technical and professional integrity. We strive to foster an environment in which we can have spirited technical discussions that drive toward truly innovative solutions.

As an associate professional staff member in the Optics and Photonics Group…

• Your primary responsibility will be to support projects as an individual technical contributor. Examples of this include using software tools to develop modeling and simulation capabilities, setting up experiments and collecting data in various optical laboratories, and performing data analysis.
• You will collaborate on multi‑disciplinary teams to solve complex problems for our sponsors.
• You will make an impact by detailing work into formal and informal technical reports including presentations, conference proceedings, and journal articles.

Qualifications

• Have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Are interested in exploring a career in one or more of the following areas:
  Remote Sensing, Optical Communications, Optical System Design, High Energy Laser systems and technologies, Applied Spectroscopy, Optical Materials Characterization, or Advanced Photonics, FPGA development or digital design.
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills and an ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• Are willing and able to work on site at APL and travel occasionally in support of meetings, workshops and reviews with government sponsors, contractors, vendors, and field tests.
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level 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.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you…

• Have directly relevant experience in a hands on laboratory environment.
• Are proficient in Python and MATLAB.
• Have established yourself in the technical community through journal and conference publications and involvement in professional societies.
• Hold a current Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain higher‑level clearances.

About Us

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…