Aerospace Simulation & ML Analyst (TS/SCI)

Vantor Services • Herndon, VA

60d • $90,000 - $180,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world. To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person , defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee. Note on Cleared Roles: If this position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status. Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Please review the job details below. Are you interested in working as a simulation and AI/ML analyst on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) study efforts? Do you want to directly influence the design and procurement of future space and airborne systems by leveraging both high-fidelity modeling and advanced AI/ML capabilities, particularly foundation models? We are looking for a highly skilled individual who enjoys working on multiple short-term studies concurrently along with long-term analysis, has a passion for dissecting large datasets, and can express complex information using compelling visualizations. Vantor is seeking an aerospace and AI/ML analyst to perform high-fidelity modeling of satellites, aircraft, and their ISR sensor suites. This role will involve not only instantiating complex vignettes, architecting studies and trades, and developing tools for data analysis, but also integrating and leveraging AI/ML, especially foundation models, to enhance our simulation capabilities, analyze vast datasets, and inform system design. You will perform detailed Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) checks of both simulation inputs/results and model performance, and present your findings to senior-level decision-makers and customers. Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills are essential to quickly adapt existing models and scenarios to reflect the unique capabilities and solutions being considered. You should be able to work both independently and in dynamic team environments. This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between traditional aerospace systems analysis and the transformative power of artificial intelligence.

Requirements

• US Citizenship Required with an active or current TS/SCI clearance.
• Bachelors degree from an accredited college/university in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Willingness to work on-site in the greater Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C./Maryland area.
• 3+ years of experience in AI/ML engineering, with a significant focus on deep learning and neural networks, OR demonstrable hands-on experience leveraging AI/ML in a simulation or scientific computing context.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience with foundation models or equivalent advanced AI/ML techniques , including: Familiarity with Large Language Models (LLMs): concepts of fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and understanding of transformer architectures. Experience with generative models or vision models (e.g., diffusion models, Vision Transformers) applied to data analysis or synthetic data generation is a strong plus.
• Proficiency in Python and relevant AI/ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face Transformers) as well as scientific computing libraries.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of the theory and applications of astrodynamics, remote sensing, spacecraft design, aerospace systems operations, and complex systems integration.
• Experience with the design, development, and software implementation of complex mathematical algorithms for both simulation and AI applications.
• Ability to develop standalone engineering tools/scripts via Python and/or Excel.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and MLOps principles for deploying and managing AI models.
• Ability to identify, analyze, resolve technical risks and issues, develop comprehensive technical reports, and collaborate effectively with government and other stakeholders to implement recommended solutions.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts and establish collaborative relationships with both clients and teammates to achieve program goals.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Highly motivated and dynamic work ethic with a strong desire to contribute to national security missions.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-fidelity modeling and simulation of space and airborne ISR systems (satellites, aircraft, sensors).
• Design, develop, and implement AI/ML systems primarily focused on leveraging and customizing foundation models (e.g., Large Language Models, Generative Models, Vision Transformers) to enhance simulation analysis, data interpretation, and predictive capabilities.
• Fine-tune and adapt pre-trained foundation models for specific ISR tasks and domains, optimizing for performance, efficiency, and robustness within simulation contexts.
• Conduct research and experimentation with novel foundation model architectures, prompting techniques, and few-shot learning strategies to improve analysis outcomes.
• Instantiate complex operational vignettes, architect studies, and conduct trade-off analyses.
• Develop and integrate tools for data analysis, visualization, and AI model evaluation.
• Perform detailed Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) checks of both simulation input/results and AI model outputs.
• Analyze large amounts of simulation and real-world data to find patterns, anomalies, and insights, presenting findings clearly through charts, graphs, and technical reports.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product managers, data scientists, and government stakeholders, to integrate AI-enhanced simulation solutions into critical decision-making processes.
• Present study results and AI-driven insights to senior-level decision-makers and customers.
• Stay abreast of the latest research and developments in simulation techniques, foundation models, deep learning, and artificial intelligence.

Benefits

• Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level