Job Description

Salary: $100,000 - 245,000 per year Requirements:

• We require a bachelors degree in engineering, physics, computer science, or a closely related technical field.
• We require at least 4 years of relevant experience analyzing, evaluating, or supporting the safety and nuclear surety of strategic weapon systems and/or related facilities.
• We need strong knowledge of nuclear surety principles, standards, and regulations.
• We expect working familiarity with nuclear weapon system safety design, nuclear security, and use-control features, including PAL, CDS, and APS.
• We look for excellent interpersonal, written, verbal, and organizational skills, along with a proven record of success in a collaborative team setting.
• We require the ability to travel occasionally to meet with government partners, design agents, contractors, and operational sites.
• We require an active Secret clearance, the ability to ultimately obtain Top Secret clearance, and eligibility for access to classified information, including U.S. citizenship.
• A masters degree or higher in a relevant engineering or technical discipline is preferred.
• Additional experience with DoD nuclear surety, certification, and safety requirements across the full systems engineering lifecycle for nuclear weapon systems is highly valued.
• Familiarity with USAF and Navy nuclear certification processes and artifacts, including MNCL, SWOP 20-25, and support to NWSSG activities such as OSRs and safety studies, is a plus.
• Prior support to strategic deterrence programs, weapon maintenance, storage facilities, or Strategic Systems Programs would strengthen candidacy.
• Proficiency with systems engineering tools and safety/security analysis methods, plus a solid understanding of nuclear weapon system safety, security, use control, and relevant cybersecurity principles, is advantageous.

• We serve as the labs primary focal point and thought leader for nuclear surety engineering, applying systems engineering principles to improve strategic system design and modifications.
• We develop and implement systems engineering processes that ensure compliance with nuclear surety standards.
• We partner with cross-functional teams to review, analyze, and validate systems against nuclear surety requirements.
• We evaluate nuclear surety requirements supporting Navy Technical Objectives Guidelines and Air Force Weapon System Specifications, then recommend improvements and strengthen traceability and validation.
• We provide technical guidance on nuclear weapon system safety to DoD sponsors.
• We perform independent evaluations and safety assessments to drive design improvements aligned with government expectations.
• We review strategic weapon system certification activities to ensure the necessary quality evidence and certification artifacts for safety, security, control, and reliability are identified, defined, understood, and available to sponsors.
• We create nuclear surety risk assessment methods, models, and probability estimates for mishap scenarios and assess mitigation factors.
• We conduct risk analyses and develop mitigation strategies to protect nuclear systems.
• We analyze vulnerabilities and security risks, including support for authorized special read-in programs such as Unauthorized Launch Analysis.
• We prepare technical products, reports, and other deliverables for sponsors and stakeholders.

• Support
• Security
• LESS

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We are the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and we tackle the nations most critical defense, security, space, and science challenges. Our culture is collaborative, welcoming, and innovative, giving our people the chance to bring their authentic selves to work, grow professionally, and build meaningful connections with talented teammates. We value diverse perspectives and bold ideas, and we offer generous benefits including education assistance, strong retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. Our campus is in the Baltimore-Washington metro area, and we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, education support, and training and development. The salary range for this role is $100,000 to $245,000 annually, with additional compensation options possible depending on internal policy and eligibility.

last updated 26 week of 2026

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