Algorithm Development Engineer
Laurel, MD

Job Description

Do you love to push the bounds of science and technology while working to take on challenging problems? Do you want to make meaningful contributions to algorithms for signal processing, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI)? Are you passionate about working in a dynamic, collaborative team?

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

We are seeking a creative algorithm developer to contribute and thrive as an integral member of our conceptual algorithm development team. We strive to nurture an environment of collaboration and partnership within our staff. We value substance, impact, and innovation. We are committed to integrity and honesty. You will be part of our algorithm development teams adapting and extending cutting-edge research to address automation of some of the country's toughest national security problems, identifying the most important information from the sea of sensor data being presented to our military operators, and enabling them to focus their vital attention and cognitive capacity on the most critical information. You will develop algorithms and algorithm strings for the undersea domain, applying advanced signal processing, information processing, and machine learning techniques, including deep learning, to transform raw sensor data into actionable information for our warfighters. As examples, you may develop algorithms to process active and passive sonar returns to hunt for submarines or use signal processing and deep learning with imaging sonar to identify sea bottom-mounted mines. You will join a hardworking team of engineers and scientists with a stellar 20-year track record of generating new algorithm concepts and transitioning them to real-time algorithms running in operational embedded military systems, who tirelessly expand the state-of-the-art in undersea active, passive, and imaging sonar algorithm performance. We are passionate about building new and exciting solutions for our sponsors.

As an Algorithm Development Engineer...

* Your primary responsibility will be to apply signal processing, machine learning, and deep learning to develop cutting-edge algorithms and algorithm strings for passive sonar, active sonar, and imaging sonar systems in support of U.S. government sponsors. (60%)
* You will perform analyses of acoustic sensor data to inform, refine, and extend algorithm designs. (25%)
* You will develop and evaluate metrics that quantify the performance of our algorithms and algorithm strings. (10%)
* You will prepare presentations of your algorithm designs and performance results and brief team leadership, line leadership, program leadership, and sponsors as required. (5%)

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

* Possess a B.S. or higher in the Physical Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
* Have 2-5 or more years of relevant experience working with signal processing, ML, stochastic processes, AI, or related disciplines.
* Have significant software development experience in languages like MATLAB, and Python.
* Are able to communicate clearly and concisely to APL staff as well as to external government sponsors, both verbally and in written form.
* Are able to obtain a Secret level security 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...

* Possess a M.S. or Ph.D. in the Physical Sciences, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
* Have 2-5 or more years of experience applying signal processing, ML, stochastic processes, AI, or related disciplines to algorithm development for undersea domain problems for passive sonar, active sonar, or imaging sonar.
* Have a current Secret security 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. With a wide selection of challenging, impactful work and a robust education assistance program, APL promotes a culture of life-long learning. Our employees enjoy generous benefits and healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

APL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.