AFSIM/KCAT Modeling and Simulation Engineer

The Aerospace Corporation•Pentagon, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. The Defense Systems Group (DSG) provides analysis-based decision support to senior leaders on space architectures, policy and strategy, technology development, warfighter capability enablers, systems integration, defense industrial base, and threat reduction to help shape existing and future space missions across the national security space (NSS) enterprise. DSG is unique at Aerospace as it not only directly supports major customers, including the U.S. Space Force, U.S. Space Command, Air Force Material Command, and senior leadership at the Pentagon, but also provides a broad range of technical support across the national space enterprise, maintaining vertical responsibilities with customers’ portfolios as well as horizontal, matrixed responsibilities across the corporation. Additionally, DSG provides deep technical expertise to the Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) in the conception, design, acquisition, launch and operations of satellite, launch vehicle, ground control, and range systems. The AFSIM/KCAT Modeling and Simulation Engineer for Department of the Air Force Studies and Analysis, will focus support by conducting and facilitating modeling, simulation and analysis (MS&A) efforts primarily in AFSIM and/or space control models such as KCAT, etc. This role will work on additional activities associated with increasing SAF/SA’s space analysis capacity to help augment SAF/SA’s effort to bring higher fidelity space information into DAF mission and campaign analysis. This position will also support the Secretariat Office of the Director, Department of the Air Force (DAF) Studies and Analysis (SAF/SA) in their role to lead DAF studies, analyses, and assessments across air, space, and cyberspace and be the DAF focal point for modeling, simulation, and analysis for Congress, Joint Staff, industry, academia, and allies and partners. The selected candidate will be required to work full-time on-site at the Pentagon with occasional visits to Aerospace locations in Crystal City, VA and Chantilly, VA.

Requirements

Bachelor's or higher degree in operations research, engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, or other technical discipline
8 or more years of responsible professional operations research/engineering/scientific experience
AFSIM expertise
Coding expertise (Python, C++, etc)
Possess outstanding interpersonal skills and must be adept at oral and written communication
Proven track record to work effectively with senior government, military personnel, FFRDC, and SETA contractors
Willing to travel up to 15%
This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance and special access programs, which is issued by the U.S. government.
U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
Master’s or higher degree in operations research, engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, or other technical discipline
12 or more years of coding and professional operations research/engineering/scientific experience
Highly adept at collecting and integrating data inputs required for MS&A efforts
Lead MS&A projects, to include planning and execution activities
Anticipate customer analysis needs and proactively work in advance of formal tasking

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in operations research or computer science
KCAT experience
Familiarity with space control M&S tools
Directed multi-disciplinary teams across departments to achieve strategic goals, ensuring seamless collaboration and timely project deliverables
Experience supporting USSF, NRO, or USAF customers
Experience with and/or working knowledge of the Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group (ETG) span of technical capabilities and organization construct
A current and active TS/SCI with SAP accesses security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government, is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct analysis using AFSIM and/or KCAT and be willing to learn other space control tools as needed
Participate as part of the collective Government, Aerospace, and SETA team supporting the Analysis Operations (SAF/SAO) Directorate
Ensures customer’s MS&A efforts capturing USAF and USSF warfighter capabilities across the DAF have accurate space representation
Routinely collaborates across the USSF ensuring accurate and cross-organizational consistency of MS&A representation of space effects (at all security classification levels to include the program level)
Leverages Aerospace’s space expertise to improve model capabilities relevant to the joint warfighter
Supports mission and campaign scenario build outs and works with other members of the SAF/SA team to support all domain analysis providing insight on DAF acquisition decisions and Program Objective Force (POM) recommendations
Contribute to Aerospace efforts to bring in appropriate Aerospace tools to the customer’s spaces (e.g. KCAT, GRIPS, etc.) on the appropriate customer operated systems, and work with other program/ETG offices to keep models current and address model issues resulting from supporting customer analysis needs
The selected candidate must work optimally in an onsite environment with the customer and be able to work with senior Government leaders, contractors, other government agencies, various Aerospace program offices, and the Aerospace Engineering and Technical Group (ETG) to address issues and provide the customer with the best available technical and programmatic analyses.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
Flexible spending accounts
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
Relocation assistance
Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
Education assistance programs
An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect