Senior Python Engineer – Space Modeling and Simulation

The MITRE Corporation•Colorado Springs, CO

2d•$124,400 - $186,600•Onsite

About The Position

MITRE is seeking an experienced Space Modeling and Simulation Python Engineer to support critical national security missions, including homeland defense, Space Domain Awareness, orbital warfare, missile warning, tracking and defense, Space Command and Control, operational test and training, and force design. The engineer will partner with operational stakeholders to develop and apply advanced modeling, simulation, and analytical tools, combining mathematics, physics, engineering, and programming to produce actionable insights, analysis tools, and data products that address sponsor, operator, and mission needs. The role contributes technical expertise to developing, applying, and validating physics-based modeling and simulation tools; works with multidisciplinary teams to refine methods and resolve technical challenges; and helps shape project strategies through innovative techniques and tools. The position also involves applied research to develop and mature solutions for emerging Department of War priorities, communicating findings to stakeholders, and supporting collaboration to improve modeling, simulation, and analysis initiatives. The position requires working onsite at least four days a week.

Requirements

Typically requires at least 5 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree, 3 years with a master's degree, or a PhD with relevant experience; an equivalent combination of related education and work experience may qualify.
Experience analyzing large datasets in various formats.
Professional experience developing and deploying scientific tools using object-oriented programming.
Experience with scientific computing libraries, such as NumPy/SciPy, Pandas/Polars, Numba/Dask/CuPy/CUDA Python, or PyTorch/TensorFlow/Keras.
Experience contributing to large repositories and using contemporary DevOps practices.
Proven experience delivering data-based insights to diverse stakeholders.
Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI U.S. Government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for clearance eligibility.
Must work onsite at least four days a week.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing, implementing, integrating, and validating computational models.
Experience with commercial or government simulation and analysis tools, such as ANSYS Zemax/FLUENT/Mechanical, other FEM-based tools, STK, GMAT, FreeFlyer, or Astrodynamics Standards (SAAL).
Experience with data analysis and data visualization tools or environments.
Experience in space systems modeling and analysis and astrodynamics.
Experience using AI tools in collaborative development to rapidly analyze data and develop solutions.
Experience analyzing complex systems-of-systems architectures, interfaces, data flows, and operational dependencies to identify capability gaps, integration risks, and design tradespace options.
Experience applying modeling, simulation, or operations analysis to test and evaluation, wargaming, experimentation, or operational planning.
Hands-on experience adapting academic or industry research to real-world, challenging data sources and problem sets.
Active DoD Top Secret clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).

Responsibilities

Contribute technical expertise and support to the development, application, and validation of physics-based modeling and simulation tools.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to refine methodologies and address technical challenges.
Identify and recommend innovative techniques and tools to improve modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities and help shape project strategies.
Conduct applied research to develop, advance, and mature technical concepts and solutions addressing emerging Department of War priorities and mission challenges.
Communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission goals.
Support collaboration across teams to enhance the effectiveness and scalability of modeling, simulation, and analysis initiatives.