Hardware-in--Loop Facility Lab Lead

Are you excited by the opportunity to build a new hardware in the loop lab from scratch?

Do you like contributing to projects where you get hands on with hardware to conduct analysis and solve critical challenges?

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

We are seeking a motivated engineer or scientist to lead the design, development, and operation of a new hardware in the loop (HWIL or HIL) laboratory. You would have the opportunity to build an HWIL lab from scratch that will test weapon systems critical to our nation's defense. If you have previous experience working with a hardware in the loop system and a passion to lead a team of smart engineers, you'll be a great fit for this position.

You'll be directing a team that designs, builds, and runs hardware in the loop testing around a weapon systems flight computers and other subsystems, including RF and EO/IR sensors, datalinks, GPS receivers, and IMUs.

As a Hardware in the Loop Engineer...

• Your primary responsibility will be:
  • Defining requirements for the facility such as hardware, software, test equipment, etc.
  • Leading the design of the HWIL facility centered around unique weapons systems
  • Directing a group of engineers that will carry out designing, building, and running real-time, open-loop and closed-loop HWIL capabilities
• You will work with the government to design tests based on their needs and will lead execution of test and analysis activities.
• Work with software and hardware designers to develop and implement the HWIL capability, taking care to understand requirements the specific HWIL objectives levy on the architecture.
• Work with embedded hardware systems, understanding the electrical interfaces, physical interfaces, and communications protocols
• Present status and results to project, program, and external sponsors
• Mentor staff on HWIL designs, break up tasks as needed in chunks to fit the levels of individual staff members.
• You will document code, implement CI/CD practices, setup network systems together, and communicate across the team your status and needs.

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

• Possess a BS in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or similar field.
• Have 7+ years of experience working with hardware in the loop test beds.
• Have experience in RF systems
• Have experience in embedded-software, communication with embedded systems, and test equipment for electrical systems
• Capable of leading a team of engineers to design and build out a Hardware in the Loop testbed.
• Are able to obtain the associated required Special Access Program (SAP) level access
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain TS/SCI 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 significant experience designing and building hardware in the loop test beds.
• Possess prior experience leading a hardware-based lab
• Have experience designing high fidelity (6-dof) software simulations for flying platforms (missiles, planes, projectiles).
• Have experience with object-oriented programming languages (Java, C, C++) and scripting languages (Python or MATLAB).
• Are familiar with one or more of:
• CUDA, FPGA, or networking protocols
• RFSoC, or software defined radio (SDR)
• Have experience with both Windows and Linux operating systems

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security,…