Principal Simulation Engineer – Modeling & Simulation

Stellenbeschreibung:

Design and implement mission- and campaign-level simulation capabilities in modern C++ and Python
Build and extend event-driven, discrete-event, agent-based, and constructive simulation frameworks
Own event scheduling, simulation time, state transitions, platform abstractions, scenario execution, data collection, and deterministic replay
Develop models for platforms, sensors, weapons, communications, electronic warfare, jamming, command and control, logistics, and environmental effects
Extend AFSIM and comparable simulation environments through C++ plugins, framework services, SDK integrations, new platform types, and reusable model interfaces
Translate operational concepts, system specifications, and subject-matter expertise into maintainable software models with explicit assumptions and testable behavior
Modernize legacy campaign and mission-analysis tools and integrate them into a coherent simulation architecture
Build scenario-generation, Monte Carlo, sensitivity-analysis, campaign-execution, and evaluation workflows
Scale simulations across workstations, on-premises infrastructure, and cloud compute while preserving reproducibility and model provenance
Connect constructive simulations with distributed, operational, hardware-in-the-loop, or human-in-the-loop environments
Establish verification and validation practices, reference scenarios, regression suites, and quantitative measures of model credibility
Work directly with government, Air Force, and broader DoD stakeholders to understand acquisition questions and deliver usable capabilities
Collaborate with physics, backend, geospatial, AI, and product teams to integrate the simulation kernel into a larger interactive platform
Lead design and code reviews, mentor teammates, and improve architecture, documentation, testing, and release practices
Set department-wide quality and correctness standards, provide architectural guidance, scope major initiatives, lead architectural reviews, and mentor staff at scale

Requirements

Five or more years of professional software-development experience building simulation, autonomy, robotics, game-engine, digital-twin, or similarly complex systems
Principal level expectation: 10+ years of experience
Strong production experience in modern C++, with proficiency in Python for tooling, orchestration, analysis, or automation
Hands-on experience developing or extending a simulation framework
Experience with event-driven, discrete-event, agent-based, constructive, or distributed simulation architectures
Ability to represent complex real-world entities, interactions, rules, and edge cases as clear software abstractions
Experience building plugins, SDKs, reusable model interfaces, framework services, platform types, or similar extension mechanisms
Strong understanding of software architecture, data structures, algorithms, APIs, testing, debugging, and performance engineering
Experience making substantial changes within a large existing codebase while maintaining ongoing delivery
Experience with model verification, validation, calibration, or regression testing
Ability to turn ambiguous operational or technical requirements into executable engineering plans
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including documenting model assumptions, limitations, interfaces, and intended use
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in computer science, engineering, applied mathematics, operations research, physics, or a related discipline
Active Secret clearance or eligibility to obtain one
Strongly preferred: direct AFSIM experience; behavior trees, finite state machines, and PDDL; Air Force, Space Force, joint, or broader DoD acquisition and mission-analysis experience; sensor, weapons, electronic warfare, jamming, communications, logistics, or command-and-control modeling; legacy system modernization into C++; simulation framework or campaign system design; familiarity with HLA, DIS, OneSAF, JSAF, NGTS, STK, or other simulation environments; operational and constructive simulation experience; active TS/SCI clearance
U.S. work authorization may be required for certain project assignments involving security clearance

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in modern C++ and Python for simulation development, with a strong focus on building and extending complex simulation frameworks. Proven ability to integrate various simulation architectures and collaborate with cross-functional teams while maintaining high standards of quality and performance.