Battlefield Simulation System Engineer (m/f)

Airbus; Marignane; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus Helicopters in Marignane seeks a Senior Simulation Architect to lead battlefield simulation initiatives for next‑generation rotorcraft programs. You will model end‑to‑end effects, run operational simulations, and analyze system‑of‑systems gaps to inform roadmaps and CONOPS across multiple epochs.

The role emphasizes MBSE using Cameo/SysML, VR‑Forces, and integration with Airbus assets, with a focus on rigorous validation, documentation, and end‑user training.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive Systems Engineering experience.
• Experience with MBSE, modeling and simulation tools.
• Project management and collaboration across teams.
• Familiarity with Agile (Scrum/SAFe) is a plus.
• Security clearance required due to military constraints.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate battlefield simulation activities with European partners.
• Implement battlefield simulation into operations and develop CONOPS across epochs.
• Digital Mission Architecture & MBSE using Cameo and SysML.
• Operational Modeling & Simulation with VR-Forces; design analysis frameworks.
• Testing, validation, and documentation; training end-users.

Skills

Systems Engineering

MBSE

Project management

Agile/Scrum

Team collaboration

English proficiency

Tools

CAMEO

VR-Forces

SysML

CATIA

Job description

Job Description

As our organization embarks on the development of Next-Generation Rotorcrafts, the need for advanced battlefield simulation capabilities has become increasingly critical. This cutting-edge next generation rotorcraft will operate in highly complex and contested environments, requiring our pilots, crews, and mission planners to be prepared for a wide range of challenges and scenarios. Battlefield simulations will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our personnel are fully prepared to leverage the capabilities of these next-generation aircraft and give us the capability to exchange with MOD and operational customers. Furthermore, the simulations must incorporate realistic representations of the operational environments in which these aircraft will be deployed. Moving beyond single-platform performance ("building things right"), your focus will be on Mission efficacy ("building the right things"). You will model end-to-end effects chains, run operational simulations, and analyze system-of-systems capability gaps to inform strategic developments, technology roadmaps, and concepts of employment. By creating immersive and challenging scenarios, we will have the opportunity to experience and respond to a wide range of situations, from air-to-air combat and air-to-ground operations to joint operations with ground and naval forces. This will not only enhance our skills and decision-making abilities but also foster a deeper understanding of the capabilities and limitations of these Next-Generation platforms. You will join the “Situational Awareness and Mission Management” department and will integrate multifunctional and transnational teams. You will be responsible to develop & mature a common Battlefield understanding and common frameworks inside Airbus Group for architecting and developing in the right way (effective & efficient) and to optimise the Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) and high-level requirements (HLR) of the Helicopters and/or System of Systems with a Mission Engineering approach. Join us to shape the future of aeronautics and help protect lives during missions accomplished thanks to our helicopters. The Marignane site, the 3rd largest industrial site in France, near Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, is undergoing a deep transformation to offer a high-tech, inclusive, and environmentally friendly working environment. You will live a unique professional experience, at the heart of the manufacturing of our helicopters. To learn more about our site and our activities: Airbus Helicopters - Marignane

Responsibilities

• Coordinating Battlefield simulation activities for the following projects: ENGRT2, in collaboration with European industry partners NGRC, with the objective to demonstrate to NATO Airbus Helicopters Concept Design proposal effectiveness through simulated missions; Various R&T projects, to develop synergies within Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Group (ADS)
• Implementing Battlefield simulation into concrete operations such as: Mission Characterization & Context Development: Collaborate with subject matter experts to analyse or contribute to the definition of operational scenarios, threat environments, and concepts of operation (CONOPS) across near-, mid-, and far-term epochs, establishing a hierarchical metrics framework that bridges system-level parameters to task-level military effects and overall mission success.
• Digital Mission Architecture & MBSE: Architect solution-agnostic Mission Threads (MTs) and system-allocated Mission Engineering Threads (METs) using standard modelling frameworks in Cameo (UAF, SysML), establishing baseline and alternative architectures to quantitatively assess the operational impact of emerging technology insertions.
• Operational Modeling & Simulation (M&S): Translate digital mission architectures into executable constructive operational simulations (e.g. VR-Forces), design Design-of-Analysis frameworks to explore trade spaces and sensitivity analysis under contested or degraded conditions; with particular focus on Airbus Helicopters assets contributions.
• Testing and Validation: Conduct rigorous testing and validation of simulation components, scenarios, and overall system performance, ensuring compliance with established standards and requirements.
• Documentation and Training: Develop comprehensive documentation (High level Requirements, CONOPS into NAF framework, …) and provide training to end-users (A/C Architect, Projects, Chief Eng....), ensuring effective utilisation of the simulation capabilities.
• Partnering or subcontracting for: Physics Modeling: Develop and/or integrate realistic physics models for aircraft dynamics, weapon systems, and sensor simulations, ensuring accurate behaviour and performance in simulated scenarios. Terrain Modeling: Integrate high-fidelity terrain data and create realistic virtual environments, including accurate representations of terrains, weather conditions, and environmental factors. Data Integration: Integrate external data sources, such as flight data, mission planning systems, and intelligence data, to enhance the realism and accuracy of simulations. Artificial Intelligence: Implement advanced AI algorithms to simulate realistic behaviour of friendly and enemy forces, including aircraft, ground units, and air defence systems.

Transversal Military Squad Contributions

• Develop Battlefield Simulation Competencies within Engineering Methodology; adopt a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach for simulation development, leveraging tools like CAMEO, and various Computer Generated Forces (CGF) tools (VR-Forces in particular).
• Implement a comprehensive simulation lifecycle, encompassing requirements analysis, design, implementation, verification, and validation.
• Establish processes for continuous integration of real-world data, intelligence, and operational feedback to maintain simulation fidelity.

Tools

• Leverage state-of-the-art simulation frameworks like VR-Forces for multi-domain battlefield simulations, incorporating air, land, sea, and space domains.
• Implement physics-based models for accurate simulation of rotorcraft dynamics, weapon systems, and sensor performance.
• Integrate high-fidelity terrain data, weather models, and sensor simulations for realistic environmental representations with the support of Metier Experts.
• Develop advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models to simulate realistic behaviour of friendly and adversary forces.
• Software development (C++, Python, LUA, etc.) and integration.
• Physics modelling and computational fluid dynamics.
• Geospatial data processing and terrain visualisation.
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies.
• User experience (UX) and interface design.
• Verification, validation (VV) processes.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Comprehensive Systems Engineering experience.
• Operational & functional analysis.
• Project management experience.
• MBSE, Modelling & Simulation experience (CAMEO & CATIA) will be a plus.
• A/C Program operations experience would be a plus.
• Synthesis spirit.
• A previous experience with agile methodology (Scrum, SAFe) will be a plus.
• Ability to work in a team environment and coordinate with cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with aeronautics, helicopter dynamics, and military operations.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Experience with geospatial data integration and terrain modelling will be a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Language skills

French negotiation level, English negotiation level

Compliance and Security

Due to military security constraints (data classification, French-eyes-only constraints, export control), this position will require a security clearance.

Reasons to join us

• Our Values: Six essential values form the core of our company. Defined for employees by employees, our Airbus values shape the DNA of our business, reflecting the unique mix of qualities found in each member of our global family.
• Inclusion and diversity: We foster an inclusive and rewarding work environment, where everyone's diversity is valued and respected. An inclusive and diverse workforce is the engine of innovation at Airbus. It makes us unique and contributes to better problem-solving.
• Compensation and benefits: At Airbus, we build the future together and your success is our priority. Expect a global, competitive, and transparent compensation package (including salaries, bonuses, profit-sharing, participation, and preferred share ownership plan), designed to reward the impact and performance you bring, both individually and collectively. We invest in your complete well-being: professional development (training, mentoring, international mobility), health coverage, retirement, and a commitment to a supported work-life balance (parental support, flexibility). And for your daily life, benefits that make a difference: A dynamic CSE (Social and Economic Committee) offering many advantages (company restaurant, children's leisure centre, associations and sports complex, travel allowances, etc.). Transport facilities: Take advantage of our company shuttles or the reimbursement of our annual transport pass.

Location

The Marignane site, the 3rd largest industrial site in France, near Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, is undergoing a deep transformation to offer a high-tech, inclusive, and environmentally friendly working environment.

Job Details

• Employment Type: Permanent.
• Classe Emploi (France): Classe G14.
• Experience Level: Professional.
• Job Family: Sub-system development.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to [e-mail].