Senior Defense Technologist – Modeling and Simulation

MTSI is seeking a Senior Defense Technologist – Modeling & Simulation. The SDT-M&S will serve as a senior Mission Engineering Modeler supporting the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research & Engineering (OUSW(R&E)) Mission Engineering Integration Activity (MEIA). This position supports mission-focused analysis of future military capabilities, kill chains, kill webs, and advanced concepts through the application of first-principles physics, mission engineering, modeling and simulation, and digital prototyping.

The successful candidate will operate at the intersection of operational analysis, systems engineering, and software-based modeling and simulation. Daily activities will include developing and executing advanced mission-level analyses, designing physics-based simulation capabilities, constructing digital prototypes, supporting campaign and mission assessments, and providing technical recommendations to senior government leadership.

Daily responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining high-fidelity AFSIM models, scenarios, and custom C++ plug-ins.
• Creating physics-based models of sensors, communications systems, weapons, autonomy, space systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.
• Translating operational problems, mission threads, and kill chains into executable simulation models and mission engineering analyses.
• Supporting mission characterization activities through collaboration with operational planners, intelligence analysts, technologists, and mission engineers.
• Conducting mission-level trade studies, sensitivity analyses, and Design of Experiments (DOE) to assess capability effectiveness and mission outcomes.
• Integrating data, models, architectures, and simulation outputs into a repeatable mission engineering framework.
• Supporting development of mission architectures, mission engineering threads (METs), kill web architectures, and system-of-systems analytical products.
• Producing clear, defensible technical findings and recommendations for senior government decision makers.
• Serving as a trusted technical advisor supporting OUSW(R&E) priorities, technology investment decisions, experimentation activities, and acquisition initiatives.

How you will contribute to our National Security and Defense mission:

Your work will directly support the Department's most challenging mission engineering and capability development activities. You will help evaluate emerging concepts, identify operational capability gaps, assess future kill web architectures, and inform technology investment decisions that shape future Joint Force capabilities. Through rigorous modeling, simulation, and analytical methods, you will provide decision-quality insights to senior defense leaders responsible for future warfighting concepts and advanced capability development.

This position is located in the National Capital Region (NCR).

You’ll be a great fit for this role if:

• You are naturally curious and enjoy solving complex national security problems.
• You understand both operational warfare concepts and technical implementation details.
• You can move comfortably between engineers, analysts, operators, intelligence professionals, and senior leaders.
• You think from first principles and challenge assumptions.
• You are equally comfortable discussing C++ software development, sensor physics, mission threads, and operational outcomes.
• You thrive in small, elite, mission-focused teams executing high-visibility work.

Responsibilities:

Your essential job functions will include but may not be limited to:

• Execute mission engineering studies supporting emerging operational concepts and future warfighting capabilities.
• Develop, integrate, and execute advanced mission-level modeling and simulation environments.
• Design and develop AFSIM scenarios, architectures, and custom plug-ins supporting mission analysis activities.
• Apply first-principles engineering methods to assess weapons, sensors, communications architectures, autonomy, cyber, space, and electronic warfare systems.
• Develop mission threads, kill chains, and resilient kill web architectures within mission engineering studies.
• Perform Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analyses, sensitivity analyses, and trade-space exploration.
• Evaluate mission effectiveness using Measures of Success (MoS), Measures of Effectiveness (MoE), and Measures of Performance (MoP).
• Support digital prototyping and advanced capability assessment activities.
• Integrate modeling and simulation outputs with mission architecture and systems engineering products.
• Develop technical reports, white papers, executive briefings, and decision-support products.
• Support Government technical reviews, mission engineering working groups, and senior leader engagements.
• Maintain compliance with all security, classification, and data handling requirements.

Qualifications Required:

Minimum 15 years of experience with emphasis on:

• Mission-level or operational-level Modeling, Simulation and Analysis (MS&A).
• Advanced mission engineering methodologies.
• Development and execution of AFSIM simulations.
• Development of custom AFSIM plug-ins using modern C++.
• Physics-based modeling and simulation.
• Kill chain and kill web analysis.
• Design of Experiments (DOE), simulation campaign planning, and quantitative analysis.
• Operational assessment of advanced military technologies and concepts.
• Leading complex analytical efforts within classified DoD, IC, Service, Joint Staff, Combatant Command, DARPA, SCO, AFRCO, AFRL, MDA, or warfare center environments.
• Development of technical recommendations supporting acquisition, experimentation, or capability development decisions.
• Senior-level technical communication and executive briefing preparation.

Education:

• Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or related technical disciplines requiring modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Doctoral/Terminal degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline requiring modeling, simulation, and analysis (preferred).

Even better if you have these desired skills/experiences:

• Modeling & Simulation: Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM); EADSIM; STK; ITASE; Mission-level simulation environments; System-of-systems analysis
• Mission Engineering: Mission Engineering Threads (MET); Mission Threads; Kill Chain Analysis; Kill Web Architecture Development; MBSE (SysML/UAF); Model-Based Mission Engineering
• Technical Specialties: RF Engineering; Electronic Warfare; Radar Systems; Sen sor Fusion; Multi-Sensor Tracking; State Estimation; Electronic Attack/Electronic Protection; Aerospace Systems; Guidance, Navigation & Control; Hypersonics; Space Systems; Orbital Mechanics; Assured PNT; EO/IR Phenomenology; Communications Systems; Autonomous Systems
• Desired Experience: DARPA; Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO); Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (AFRCO); Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL); Missile Defense Agency (MDA); NRO; NGA; ONR; Warfare Centers; Combatant Commands; Joint Staff; OSD analytical organizations
• Experience transitioning advanced capabilities from R&D to acquisition or operational use.
• Experience supporting senior OUSW(R&E), Joint Staff, Combatant Command, or Service leadership.
• Experience conducting mission engineering studies supporting high-priority defense initiatives.

Clearance Requirements:

An active Top Secret (TS) security clearance (with SCI and SAP/CAP eligibility) is required.

he pay range for this position is $160,000/year to $190,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. This posting will be renewed periodically until the position is filled.