Space Warfighting Modeling and Simulation Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Space Control Systems Group within APL's Space Exploration Sector applies modeling, simulation, and analysis to national security space problems. Our team works to understand and assess capabilities, systems, and technologies that support U.S. Space Force operations and inform future operational decisions and investments. Our work spans Space Situational Awareness, Defensive Space Control, and Offensive Space Control. We apply modeling and simulation, multi-domain operational planning, tactics and techniques, test and evaluation, threat analysis, performance assessments, space warfighting operations, and force design to assess space control effectiveness. Our staff bring expertise from fields including engineering, physics, astronomy, applied mathematics, and computer science and frequently leverage programming tools such as C, C++, MATLAB, and Python, as well as modeling tools such as Systems Tool Kit (STK), Astrogator, Thermal Desktop, and PTC Creo. As a Space Warfighting Modeling and Simulation Engineer, you will work alongside experienced analysts to develop new models and leverage existing models to conduct system- and mission-level analyses supporting national security space missions. You will translate operational and technical questions into well-defined simulation studies and analytical approaches, design and execute modeling and simulation experiments, analyze results, and develop technically defensible conclusions. You will investigate sensor performance in support of tracking and object discrimination, evaluate expected system and mission performance resulting from hardware or operational modifications, and analyze the impact of data latency and other system-level factors on mission success. You will apply programming and computational tools such as C, C++, MATLAB, and Python to support modeling, simulation, and analysis efforts, and use modeling and engineering tools such as Systems Tool Kit (STK), Astrogator, Thermal Desktop, and PTC Creo, as appropriate, to support technical investigations. You will collaborate with experienced analysts and technical experts while building your knowledge of space systems, operations, and mission-level analysis. You will explore Space Situational Awareness, including the knowledge and characterization of space objects and the operational environment for space operations. You will support Defensive Space Control analyses focused on protecting U.S. and coalition partners' space capabilities from attack, interference, and unintentional hazards. You will support Offensive Space Control analyses focused on capabilities designed to deter or counter adversary hostile actions in space. You will communicate analytical approaches, results, and technically sound conclusions through briefings, reports, visualizations, and other technical products. You will grow your expertise in the space domain while applying your technical skills to increasingly complex mission-level modeling and simulation challenges. Because our work supports defense and intelligence community sponsors, staff in this role must successfully complete the required security screening process to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and be able to work primarily in classified environments.

Requirements

Possess a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related technical field
Have 2+ years of professional experience in modeling, simulation, computational analysis, or a related technical area. Relevant coursework, research, internships, or technical project experience may also be considered.
Have experience using programming or scripting languages such as Python, MATLAB, Linux/BASH, or similar tools
Have demonstrated ability to analyze technical data and draw conclusions from the results
Are able to communicate technical approaches and results to others
Are willing and able to occasionally travel to sponsor locations
Are self-directed and detail oriented
Able to obtain a TS/SCI level security clearance with accesses. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Possess a Master's or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related technical field
Have hands-on experience developing, modifying, executing, or analyzing simulations through coursework, research, internships, or technical projects
Have experience with AFSIM or comparable modeling and simulation environments
Have experience using Python, MATLAB, Linux/BASH, or similar tools to develop, execute, or analyze simulations
Have research or internship experience involving space systems, weapon systems, sensors, tracking, or other national security applications
Hold a security clearance or have experience working in the national security community

Responsibilities

Work alongside experienced analysts to develop new models and leverage existing models to conduct system- and mission-level analyses supporting national security space missions.
Translate operational and technical questions into well-defined simulation studies and analytical approaches.
Design and execute modeling and simulation experiments, analyze results, and develop technically defensible conclusions.
Investigate sensor performance in support of tracking and object discrimination.
Evaluate expected system and mission performance resulting from hardware or operational modifications.
Analyze the impact of data latency and other system-level factors on mission success.
Apply programming and computational tools such as C, C++, MATLAB, and Python to support modeling, simulation, and analysis efforts.
Use modeling and engineering tools such as Systems Tool Kit (STK), Astrogator, Thermal Desktop, and PTC Creo, as appropriate, to support technical investigations.
Collaborate with experienced analysts and technical experts while building your knowledge of space systems, operations, and mission-level analysis.
Explore Space Situational Awareness, including the knowledge and characterization of space objects and the operational environment for space operations.
Support Defensive Space Control analyses focused on protecting U.S. and coalition partners' space capabilities from attack, interference, and unintentional hazards.
Support Offensive Space Control analyses focused on capabilities designed to deter or counter adversary hostile actions in space.
Communicate analytical approaches, results, and technically sound conclusions through briefings, reports, visualizations, and other technical products.
Grow your expertise in the space domain while applying your technical skills to increasingly complex mission-level modeling and simulation challenges.