SOF Space & Satellite Communications Systems Integrator / Simulation SME

Culmen International LLC • Alexandria, VA

3d

About The Position

Culmen International is hiring for a SOF Space & Satellite Communications Systems Integrator / Simulation SME to provide support for a senior government program at the intersection of special operations, space domain awareness, and advanced simulation. This role uniquely blends deep operational SOF expertise with technical proficiency in satellite communications, flight dynamics, and mission planning. You will serve as a subject matter expert, translating complex space and satellite capabilities into actionable solutions for sensitive activities and contingency planning.

Requirements

• Clearance: Active DoD Top Secret / SCI (CI Poly preferred).
• Experience: 15+ years of significant SOF or interagency operational background, including direct service within SOCOM, JSOC, or TSOCs.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated familiarity with orbital mechanics, space-based ISR, and flight dynamics concepts.
• Software Expertise: Hands-on experience with M&S tools such as STK, TAOS, or FreeFlyer, and proficiency in MATLAB or Python.
• Operational Core Competencies: Direct experience in SOF activities, including Direct Action (DA), Special Reconnaissance (SR), Unconventional Warfare (UW), and sensitive technical operations.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, International Studies, or National Security.
• Planning Skills: Strong understanding of SOF-specific communications planning, non-standard communications, and electronic signature management

Nice To Haves

• Advanced Education: Completed or in-progress Master’s degree in a technical engineering discipline or Strategic Studies.
• Specialized Training: Completion of Advanced Army Space Control/Cadre courses, IJSTO Planners Course, or SOF MILDEC Course.
• Program Exposure: Experience working within Special Access Programs (SAP) and Special Technical Operations (STO) environments.
• Advanced Integration: Experience integrating commercial sensing platforms or unmanned/semi-submersible platforms into operational frameworks.
• Theater Experience: International operational experience across European, Central Asian, Middle Eastern, or African theaters.

Responsibilities

• Systems Integration: Provide software integration and subject matter expertise on satellite communications planning, orbital mechanics, and space-enabled mission support.
• Strategic Advising: Advise senior leadership on integrating satellite navigation and communications systems into SOF-specific C4ISR architectures, focusing on resilient and low-probability-of-intercept (LPI/LPD) waveforms.
• Modeling & Simulation: Utilize industry-standard tools (STK, TAOS, FreeFlyer) and programming environments (MATLAB, Python) to generate trajectory data and conduct 6-DoF/3-DoF performance assessments.
• Operational Planning: Apply Joint Operations Planning Process (JOPP) expertise to develop operational concepts and contingency plans, incorporating space control planning into SOF campaign design.
• Mission Support: Contribute to Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) engineering advisory and assess space-based system vulnerabilities to support offensive and defensive planning.
• Interagency Coordination: Liaise with stakeholders across Combatant Commands, JSOC, the Intelligence Community, and allied partner nations to synchronize space-enabled planning.

What This Job Offers

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