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Phd Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

DevOps Systems Engineer TALO092

Herndon, VA · On-site

$54.25 - $74.25/hr

... Engineer : Candidate will develop CI/CD build and deploy pipelines; integrate tools into the ... Staff (Level 5) : * 14+ Years with BS * 12+ Years with Masters * 9+ Years with PhD * + additional 4 ...

Job Duties: • Database engineering and management activities associated with high volume, multi ... OR A PhD with no experience; an additional 4 years of experience maybe considered in lieu of a ...

Showing results 21-40

Phd Engineer information

What is a PhD engineer?

A PhD Engineer is an individual who has completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in an engineering discipline. This advanced degree signifies deep expertise in a specialized area of engineering, often involving original research and the completion of a dissertation. PhD Engineers typically work in academia, research and development, or advanced industry roles where they contribute to scientific innovation and technological advancements. Their work often includes conducting research, publishing scholarly articles, and mentoring students or junior engineers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD engineer?

To thrive as a PhD Engineer, you need advanced expertise in engineering principles, research methodology, and problem-solving, typically supported by a doctoral degree in an engineering discipline. Familiarity with specialized technical tools, modeling software, data analysis platforms, and sometimes professional certifications are commonly required. Exceptional analytical thinking, innovation, and strong communication skills set top PhD Engineers apart in collaborative and research-driven environments. These competencies are vital for driving technological advancements, publishing impactful research, and leading complex engineering projects.

What are the typical career advancement opportunities for a PhD engineer in an industrial setting?

PhD Engineers in industry often start in research and development roles, where they apply their advanced technical expertise to solve complex problems. Over time, they may progress into senior scientist or technical lead positions, and can also transition into management roles such as R&D manager or director. Career growth is often driven by demonstrated innovation, successful project leadership, and strong collaboration skills. Additionally, PhD Engineers frequently have opportunities to shape company strategy, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to patent portfolios.

What is the difference between Phd Engineer vs Research Scientist?

AspectPhd EngineerResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in Engineering or related fieldPhD in relevant scientific discipline
Work EnvironmentIndustry labs, R&D departments, manufacturingAcademic labs, research institutions, industry R&D
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, manufacturing firms, engineering firmsUniversities, government agencies, private research firms
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Phd Engineers and Research Scientists hold doctoral degrees and work in research-intensive environments. Phd Engineers typically focus on applied engineering projects within industry, while Research Scientists often work on fundamental scientific research in academic or government settings. The choice depends on whether you prefer industry application or scientific exploration.

Is a Phd engineer useful in engineering?

A PhD engineer brings advanced technical expertise, research skills, and problem-solving abilities to engineering projects. They are often involved in innovation, development, and complex analysis, making them valuable for specialized roles, research positions, and leadership in technical fields.

What jobs can I get with a Phd engineer?

A PhD in engineering qualifies individuals for advanced roles such as research scientist, university professor, R&D engineer, or technical consultant. These positions often require strong analytical skills, expertise in specialized tools or software, and may involve project management or collaboration in innovative environments.
Infographic showing various Phd Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

2026 PhD Graduate - Engineering/Mathematician - Simulation & Analysis

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days 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 75 rated research


Job description

Description
Are you looking for exciting opportunities to help determine how to best defend the United States, our armed forces, and our allies from all forms of air and missle threats?
Do you love to study something and find ways to make it better?
If you are graduating with a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, Mathematics, or similar degrees and want to work in an exciting and collaborative environment to solve challenging technical national security problems, we'd love to have you join our team.
We are seeking innovative and talented technical graduates to join our Multi-Domain System Concepts Group to conduct modeling and analysis, identify defensive systems gaps, and develop new system concepts to revolutionize defensive capabilities for the U.S. You would apply math, engineering, and physics knowledge to implement models and simulations and analyze new concepts including sensors, battle management and communications systems, and kinetic and non-kinetic defensive systems. You would develop expertise in analysis, algorithm development, optimization, and modeling and simulation of a wide variety of U.S. Navy, Missile Defense, and Space systems.
As a member of our team...
• Your primary responsibility will be contributing to the development and assessment of Missile Defense systems.
• You will model, analyze, and perform assessments of fielded systems and find opportunities for improvement, propose and develop innovative concepts/algorithms to improve capabilties, and conduct analysis to assess potential future systems performance. You will often conduct parametric analyses using high performance computing capabilities. You will sometimes develop prototype capabilities and work with real-world systems to transition ideas to fielded capabilities.
• You will develop presentations to effectively communicate technical recommendations to APL leadership, government sponsors, and the engineering community.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
• Have a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, Mathematics, or similar program
• Are skilled in and/or have knowledge of programming and analysis, technical writing and presentation, as well as fundamental math and physics knowledge
• Have proficiency in using MATLAB to conduct analysis, conduct algorithm development, and/or create visualizations of data
• Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level 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...
• Have direct experience with or domain knowledge of Navy, Missile Defense Agency, or Space Force systems
• Have a final Secret or Top Secret clearance.
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
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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