Senior Reentry Systems Engineer

Are you an experienced aerospace engineer with a background in strategic reentry systems and advanced vehicle development?

Do you enjoy working across complex technical programs, collaborating with government sponsors, and helping shape the development of next-generation capabilities that support our Nation's strategic deterrent?

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

We are seeking a Senior Reentry Systems Engineer to help guide and coordinate multiple advanced reentry system development efforts supporting Air Force and Navy sponsors. In this role, you will work across a broad portfolio of programs focused on future reentry capabilities, advanced vehicle concepts, and enabling technologies. You will help connect sponsor priorities with technical execution, identify opportunities for collaboration, and ensure our engineering efforts deliver meaningful impact to critical national security missions.

As a member of our team, you will work closely with program managers, technical teams, government sponsors, and industry partners to help shape program strategies, assess development progress, and address complex technical and programmatic challenges. You will bring a broad understanding of strategic weapon systems and government acquisition and development processes to help guide decisions, coordinate activities across organizations, and advance next-generation capabilities.

• Support the planning, coordination, and execution of multiple advanced reentry system development efforts spanning Air Force and Navy programs.
• Work closely with government sponsors to understand mission needs, identify capability gaps, and translate sponsor priorities into actionable technical objectives and development activities.
• Provide technical and programmatic insight to help guide development strategies, assess progress, identify risks, and ensure project activities deliver meaningful outcomes for government sponsors.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to evaluate advanced reentry vehicle concepts, subsystem technologies, development approaches, and opportunities for technology maturation.
• Facilitate coordination and collaboration across APL programs, government organizations, national laboratories, and industry partners to align technical efforts and identify opportunities for shared investment and development.
• Support the development of program plans, technical roadmaps, requirements, milestones, and strategies for transitioning emerging technologies into future capabilities.
• Participate in technical reviews, program assessments, and sponsor engagements to evaluate development progress, resolve challenges, and inform future program decisions.
• Help identify and develop new opportunities to address emerging sponsor needs, expand technical contributions, and strengthen relationships across the strategic deterrence community.
• Prepare and present technical and programmatic findings, recommendations, and development strategies to government sponsors, program leadership, and other stakeholders.

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

• Have a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or another relevant technical discipline and at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Have demonstrated subject matter expertise with strategic reentry systems, ballistic missile systems, advanced aerospace vehicles, or related defense technologies.
• Have experience with Navy or Air Force nuclear reentry systems, including ICBM or SLBM weapon systems, and the development of advanced reentry vehicle concepts or enabling technologies.
• Have experience working with organizations such as Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), or Department of Energy national laboratories.
• Have a broad understanding of complex aerospace system development, including requirements definition, engineering trade studies, technology maturation, integration, and testing.
• Have experience supporting or managing government-sponsored technical programs, including planning, coordinating multidisciplinary activities, assessing progress, and addressing technical and programmatic risks.
• Have professional experience working within a civilian government organization, with an understanding of government program management, acquisition processes, and sponsor decision-making.
• Have…