Job Description

Do you enjoy analyzing systems to understand how they work and where they might fail?

Are you passionate about ensuring space missions achieve their impact in the world?

If so, we are looking for someone like you to join our team at APL!

Be Part of Something Innovative

Over the past 25 years, the Space Exploration Sector at APL, has pushed the boundaries of what is possible; delivering game-changing impacts to sponsors like NASA and the Department of Defense. This includes historic, science space firsts like New Horizons reaching Pluto, Parker Solar Probe being the first to “touch” the sun, and the DART mission that redirected an asteroid for planetary defense. As a not-for-profit university affiliated research center, APL also delivered solutions to our nation’s national security challenges, as proven with the recent Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) Tech Demo, and acts as a trusted partner with the US Space Force in space domain awareness and space-integrated warfare.

APL teams are currently developing missions that will advance the search for life in the Solar System through programs such as Europa Clipper and Dragonfly, exploring the lunar and cislunar domains, and providing fundamental knowledge of our Sun’s influence on the near-Earth environment through IMAP and other research and technology endeavors.  To learn about these APL’s mission and projects, https://civspace.jhuapl.edu/ and https://www.jhuapl.edu/OurWork/NationalSecuritySpace.

We are seeking a creative test engineer eager to evaluate sophisticated space mission ground software and systems. The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHUAPL) Space Exploration Sector develops spacecraft for both National Security applications and NASA funded exploration missions. Our group is a diverse, collaborative team of software engineers who develop ground software system solutions for JHUAPL-developed spacecraft. Our test engineers work closely with systems, software, hardware, and other engineering teams to ensure that we have rock-solid, continuously tested software capable of commanding and relaying data across the solar system. We push the boundaries of the possible, stay up to date with software practices, and constantly infuse our knowledge into our spacecraft and the systems that support them.

As a test engineer, your responsibilities include:

• Evaluating published system test plans, working with software engineers to understand the functions and configurations of software systems.
• Using applicable test environments to craft, automate, evaluate, and record the results of tests.
• Collaborating with technical leads to support strategies for scenario, stress/performance, and requirements-based testing.

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

• A Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of software testing experience.
• A passion to stay on top of quality, testing trends, and tools.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Experience developing techniques and tools to automate testing.
• Experience creating test documentation (test plans, reports, metrics).
• Experience with Python, scripting languages, and testing frameworks.
• Experience with Unix, Linux, and network computing.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• The ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, and follow-through.
• An ability to acquire Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government secret clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
• Can demonstrate that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To ensure the safety and well-being of the community, APL has established a policy requiring that all staff be vaccinated against COVID-19. All staff members must provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation by their start date.

You 'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you have...

• A MS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent discipline.
• Familiarity with ground system concepts, space systems acquisition, system architecture development.
• Experience with software development life-cycles.
• Familiarity with the Java, C, and C++ programming languages.
• An Active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Why work at APL?

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 APL, we celebrate our differences and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at http://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

APL is committed to promoting an innovative environment that embraces diversity, encourages creativity, and supports inclusion of new ideas. In doing so, we are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accommodations@jhuapl.edu. Only by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard are we empowered to be bold, do great things, and make the world a better place.

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