Modeling and Simulation Solution Architect

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. 

The Vehicle Engineering & Integration Department (VEID) is part of VSD, the premier satellite and launch vehicle technical organization within the Aerospace Corporation. The Vehicle Modeling and Analysis Section within VEID is responsible for implementing multi-disciplinary analytical models and developing software tools required to execute the desired analyses with respect to satellite, ground, and launch vehicle development and operations. We are looking for a Modeling and Simulation Solutions Architect (Engineering Specialist/Senior Engineering Specialist - Software Architecture Engineering) to design and develop a Live Virtual Constructive framework for testing multiple functionalities across the space enterprise to support acquisition of new capabilities and Warfighter training. This person will need to have outstanding technical and programming skills, an understanding of physics/physical hardware systems, be inquisitive and motivated to learn, and have uncompromising integrity and objectivity. 

This position requires 100% onsite work and can located in Chantilly, VA., Colorado Springs, CO., El Segundo, CA., or Albuquerque, NM. 

What You'll Be Doing 

• Design and develop full solutions architecture for the LVC effort including: the distributed simulation implementing common standards with time and federation management services; User Interface; Data Management; and AI platform components 

• Create simulation models optimized for federated environments with distributed time management, synchronization, and entity transfer protocols 

• Integrate heterogeneous simulation systems across multiple sites, developing FOMs, SOMs, and gateways between different protocols 

• Ensure Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) interoperability with cross-domain solutions for classified/unclassified integration 

• Design and optimize network communication protocols with multicast, publish-subscribe messaging, QoS strategies, and latency compensation 

• Implement distributed state management, replication, conflict resolution, and entity ownership protocols across federation nodes

• Optimize federation performance with interest management, load balancing, and distributed workload optimization strategies 

• Design fault detection, recovery, graceful degradation, health monitoring, and failover capabilities for distributed simulations 

• Develop test harnesses, validation frameworks, and conduct integration, scalability, and interoperability testing across sites 

• Implement monitoring, logging, alerting systems, and provide operational support for live distributed simulation exercises 

• Ensure compliance with standards (e.g. IEEE 1516 (HLA) / IEEE 1278 (DIS)) specifications with comprehensive documentation 

• Collaborate with simulation developers, data engineers, external organizations, and provide training on distributed simulation best practices 

• Maintain effective working relationships with Government leadership, contractors, supporting contractors, and engineering matrix reach back personnel 

• Develop and effectively communicate technical recommendations and solutions to Aerospace and Government leadership 

• Work with subject matter experts in physics and engineering to understand and incorporate models and algorithms into distributed software simulations 

What You Need to be Successful  

Minimum Requirements for Engineering Specialist: 

• Bachelor's degree from accredited university in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, or related subject area/STEM degree 

• 6 or more years of experience including experience in any of the following areas: distributed simulation systems development, modeling and simulation capabilities, implementation of HLA/DIS/TENA standards, software development and integration, network protocols and distributed systems architecture 

• Expert Knowledge of distributed simulation standards (e.g. HLA, DIS, TENA) and experience with time synchronization across federates 

• Strong Programming skills in languages commonly used for simulation development (e.g., Java, C++, Python) 

• Experience with working with subject matter expert engineers to implement and maintain physics and/or engineering models 

• Understanding of distributed systems, network protocols, and time management algorithms 

• Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain and maintan a TS/SCI and Special Access (SAP) clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance 

• Ability to travel as required approximately 10% of the time 

In addition to the requirements above, the minimum requirements for a Sr. Engineering Specialist are:

• 10 or more total years of experience including experience in any of the following areas: distributed simulation systems development, modeling and simulation capabilities, implementation of HLA/DIS/TENA standards, software development and integration, network protocols and distributed systems architecture 

• Experience working with integrated, multidisciplinary, multi-organizational teams 

How You Can Stand Out 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Advanced academic degree in systems engineering, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or a related engineering or scientific field 

• Experience with cloud platforms, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and real-time systems 

• Strong debugging skills for complex distributed systems 

• Demonstrated experience in the development, integration, and test of software and/or data-intensive system architectures in federated simulation environments 

• Experience with processes associated with a government system acquisition and lifecycle 

• Demonstrated experience leading the development of modeling and simulation and/or digital engineering capabilities for Government applications 

• Practical knowledge of space mission operations, M&S, and training capabilities and processes to include space warfighting and wargaming 

• Knowledge and experience with system assessment processes and implementation 

• Experience with cross-domain solutions and classified/unclassified integration 

• Experience with NI or other automated hardware-in-the-loop test equipment such as PXIs, DAQs, ATEs, etc. 

• Experience working with flight hardware, flight software, or equivalent from other industries 

• Current TS/SCI and Special Access (SAP) clearance