Search for Hypersonic Weapon System Software Integration Lead roles in Laurel, MD, requiring a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science, with 3+ years of software project management experience, and needing an active Top Secret security clearance.

Okay, I've searched for Hypersonic Weapon System Software Integration Lead roles in Laurel, MD that require a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Computer Science, 3+ years of software project management experience, and an active Top Secret security clearance. I have found 27 positions matching your criteria.

Hypersonic Weapon System Software Integration Lead

Laurel, MD

Bachelor

3 years + Experience

Top Secret

Can you help me to analyze the job description and company culture?

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Hypersonic Weapon System Software Integration Lead plays a pivotal role in advancing one of the nation's most cutting-edge defense capabilities—hypersonic weaponry. This position is fundamentally about bridging the gap between complex software components developed by multiple contractors to ensure seamless integration across the weapon system's entire kill-chain. The lead must possess not only deep technical expertise in software engineering, aerospace systems, and hypersonic flight challenges, but also strong project management and coordination skills to navigate the fast-moving, high-stakes DoD environment. Success in this role hinges on the ability to translate broad system-level requirements into actionable software standards and schedules, while balancing technical risks and opportunities for technology insertion. They will routinely face intricate integration challenges, juggling diverse stakeholder expectations—from government officials to industry partners—requiring diplomacy and clarity in communication. Autonomous judgment will be crucial, as the lead must proactively identify potential bottlenecks or technological mismatches, suggest mitigations, and keep the program on-track despite evolving priorities. The role demands comprehensive knowledge of safety-critical software practices, rigorous systems engineering, and the flexibility to respond quickly to emerging program needs. Within 6–12 months, the lead is expected to have established effective integration processes, built consensus across stakeholders on software standards, and demonstrated steady progress toward delivering a robust, field-ready hypersonic weapon system software baseline.

Company Analysis:

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) stands at the forefront of defense and scientific innovation as a respected not-for-profit research entity tightly linked to a world-class university. Its status as a University-Affiliated Research Center offers employees a unique blend of academic rigor, mission-driven focus, and government partnership dynamics. APL's culture emphasizes inclusion, creativity, and intellectual rigor, offering a supportive environment that values authenticity and cross-pollination of ideas—a crucial factor for someone navigating the complexity of hypersonics software integration. The organization's prestige and connection to the Department of Defense create a fast-paced yet mission-oriented atmosphere, prioritizing delivering pioneering solutions under tight timeframes and security constraints. For the Integration Lead role, this means working within a multidisciplinary, decentralized team structure with significant interface across various contractors and government stakeholders. Given the sensitive nature of the work and security clearance requirements, trust and reliability are non-negotiable. The candidate will likely enjoy visibility among senior technical leadership due to the program's strategic importance. The role directly aligns with APL's strategic goal to support emerging defense capabilities, making this a growth and impact-oriented hire essential for scaling and stabilizing a breakthrough technology program in an evolving national security context.

Mock up some interview questions based on the job description.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

Behavioral Questions:
1. Tell me about a time when you had to coordinate multiple stakeholders with differing priorities to achieve a common technical goal. How did you manage communication and alignment?
1. Describe an experience where you identified a significant risk or bottleneck in a complex software integration effort. What steps did you take to mitigate it?
1. Can you share an example of leading a software project on a fast-moving defense or aerospace program? How did you adapt to changing requirements or schedules?
1. Give an example of when you had to work independently with limited supervision on a critical technical issue. How did you ensure you made the right decisions?
Technical/Role-Specific Questions:
1. How would you approach defining and managing software interface standards across multiple contractors developing components of a hypersonic weapon system?
1. What are the key considerations when integrating flight software with mission planning and post-flight analysis tools in a safety-critical weapons system?
1. Describe your experience with software project management tools or methodologies that ensure timely delivery in complex, multi-team programs.
1. What challenges unique to hypersonic flight and weapon systems software must be accounted for during integration, and how would you address them?
Situational Questions:
1. Imagine a contractor delivers software that does not fully meet agreed interface requirements close to a key program milestone. How would you handle this situation to keep the program on track?
1. Suppose you identify an emerging technology that could improve the software baseline but introduces additional risk and cost. How would you evaluate and present this to government and industry stakeholders?
1. You are managing a distributed team with remote and on-site contractors, and communication gaps are causing delays. What strategies would you employ to improve coordination?
Company Fit/Motivation Questions:
1. Why are you interested in joining APL and specifically working on hypersonic weapon systems integration?
1. How do you see APL’s mission and culture aligning with your own values and professional approach?
1. What motivates you about working in a government-contracted, highly secure research environment dealing with national security projects?
Questions for the Candidate to Ask the Interviewer:
1. How does APL facilitate collaboration and communication between government, contractors, and internal teams on fast-paced programs like this one?
1. Can you describe the typical career growth path for someone in this software integration lead role within APL?
1. What are the biggest challenges currently facing the hypersonic weapon system program, and how can this role help address them?

Software Integration Lead

$90k/y-$230k/y

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

5 days ago

Highlight

OnsiteFull-time3+ yearsMid

Summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is seeking a Hypersonic Weapon System Software Integration Lead to join their team in Laurel, MD. The role involves leading the software integration of a hypersonic weapon system and coordinating contractor software across the weapons system.

About the Role

As a Hypersonic Weapon System Software Integration Lead, you will provide systems-level technical expertise on software system development, manage and support the government and industry team to ensure timely delivery of capabilities, review and track software interfaces and requirements, identify promising technologies for insertion into the software baseline, and communicate regularly with the government and industry team to keep the program on track.

About You

Required:

B.S. in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering; Computer Science; applied mathematics; or related technical fields.
Understanding of the challenges of hypersonic flight and strategic weapon systems.
Prior experience with weapon system software integration and collaborating with multiple stakeholders.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 30% of the time.
Ability to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by the start date and ultimately obtain a Top Secret level clearance.

Preferred:

Experience working on fast-moving DoD programs and demonstrated ability to lead from anywhere.
Experience developing safety-critical software related to weapon control and/or flight software.
Experience defining a comprehensive software architecture for multiple stakeholders.
3+ years of experience in software project management with outstanding organization skills.
Active Top Secret security clearance or higher.

Benefits

Generous benefits including a robust education assistance program.
Unparalleled retirement contributions.
Healthy work/life balance.
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.

Laurel, MD