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Applied Physicist Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

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Applied Physicist information

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How much do applied physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for applied physicist in Silver Spring, MD is $98,007.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,000.00 and $115,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is applied physics a good degree?

Applied physics is a valuable degree for roles such as applied physicist, as it provides a strong foundation in physics principles and practical problem-solving skills. Graduates can work in research, development, engineering, and technology sectors, often requiring proficiency with laboratory tools and programming. The degree offers good job prospects, especially when combined with internships or specialized certifications.

What is an applied physicist?

Applied physicists are scientists who use principles and theories of physics to solve practical problems and develop new technologies. Unlike theoretical physicists, who focus on understanding the fundamental laws of nature, applied physicists work on translating those principles into real-world applications. They may work in diverse fields such as engineering, materials science, electronics, medical technology, and energy. Their work often involves research, experimentation, and collaboration with engineers and other scientists to innovate and improve products, processes, or instruments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an applied physicist?

To thrive as an Applied Physicist, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and problem-solving, typically supported by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in physics or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instruments, simulation software (such as MATLAB or COMSOL), and data analysis tools is commonly required, and additional certifications in specialized areas can be advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, creativity, and clear communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and presenting complex findings. These skills and qualities are crucial for developing practical solutions to real-world problems and advancing innovation in scientific and technological industries.

What are some common interdisciplinary collaborations involved in an applied physicist role?

Applied Physicists frequently work alongside engineers, material scientists, computer scientists, and industry specialists to develop practical solutions based on physical principles. These collaborations often involve joint research projects, product development, and troubleshooting complex technical challenges. Teamwork is essential, as applied physics projects typically require input from multiple fields to move from theoretical concepts to real-world applications, such as developing medical devices, renewable energy technologies, or advanced manufacturing processes.
What are popular job titles related to Applied Physicist jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Applied Physicist jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Applied Physicist jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Applied Physicist jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Applied Physicist jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Applied Physicist job openings:
Infographic showing various Applied Physicist job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,007 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

2026 Graduate - Synthetic Aperture Radar ML Engineer - Imaging Systems

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 hours ago


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 73 rated research


Job description

Description
Are you passionate about machine learning, edge processing, and synthetic aperture radar imaging?
Do you seek a position to apply your engineering skills in an innovative and collaborative laboratory environment?
If so, we are looking for someone like you to join our team at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)!
We are seeking an entry-level engineer or scientist to support the growth of RF/machine learning capabilities. The selected candidate will contribute in two primary areas: optimization of SAR-related processing for GPU-enabled edge hardware, and support of machine learning workflows including curated dataset development, model training, evaluation, and deployment to edge devices. This role is intended for a candidate with strong technical fundamentals and the potential to grow into a broader RF/ML contributor through mentorship and hands-on experience. Deep SAR expertise is not required.
As a member of our team, you will...
  • Support development and optimization of SAR-related algorithms and processing workflows for execution on GPU-enabled edge hardware.
  • Assist with profiling, debugging, and improving computational performance to meet edge-device constraints such as latency, memory, throughput, and power.
  • Build, organize, and maintain curated datasets for machine learning training, validation, and testing.
  • Develop and apply data preprocessing, labeling, and quality-check workflows to prepare data for analysis and model development.
  • Train, evaluate, and help refine machine learning models for deployment in edge or resource-constrained environments.
  • Support integration and deployment of algorithms and trained models onto edge computing platforms.
  • Collaborate with senior staff to transition prototypes into robust, testable implementations.
  • Document technical approaches, results, implementation details, and performance tradeoffs.
  • Work closely with mentors and team members to grow technical depth in RF, SAR, machine learning, and edge deployment applications.
  • Contribute to the team's emerging RF/ML capabilities through applied development, experimentation, and technical learning.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications if you have...
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or relevant field.
  • Foundation in signal processing, linear algebra, and related applied mathematical methods.
  • Programming experience in Python, C++, or similar languages for technical computing, data processing, or algorithm development.
  • Familiarity with basic machine learning workflows, including data preparation, model training, evaluation, and performance assessment.
  • Ability to work with raw and processed data to create organized, curated datasets for analysis and model development.
  • Interest in performance optimization of computational pipelines, including familiarity with GPU or parallel computing concepts.
  • Awareness of edge or embedded computing constraints such as memory, latency, throughput, and power limitations.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Willingness to learn RF, SAR, and edge-deployed ML methods through mentorship and hands-on work.
  • Are able to obtain an Interim Secret Clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI. 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...
  • Experience with GPU programming, accelerated computing, or performance optimization tools and frameworks.
  • Exposure to deploying software or machine learning models on embedded or edge computing platforms.
  • Familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar toolkits.
  • Exposure to RF systems, remote sensing, image formation, SAR, or related sensing modalities.
  • Experience with data curation, labeling, preprocessing, or dataset management for machine learning applications.
  • Experience working in Linux-based development environments.

About Us
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 of perspectives 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 https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
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 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 Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$165,000 Annually

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