AFSIM Software Engineer/Architect

John H Northrop And Associates; Ozark (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

John H Northrop And Associates is seeking a Software Engineer/Architect to support the U.S. Army's Aviation modernization initiatives through advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis. The role involves working with AFSIM and collaborating with engineers and operators to develop next-generation simulation capabilities.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field and strong programming skills in languages such as C++ and C#. An Active DoD Secret Clearance is required. This position supports Army Aviation's innovative needs in mission engineering and operational analysis.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Experience developing, integrating, or extending AFSIM or comparable military simulation frameworks.
• Understanding of systems engineering principles and simulation development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Support Army Aviation modernization through MS&A capabilities development.
• Design and maintain software and hardware components for mission-level simulations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to model Army Aviation platforms and systems.

Skills

Software development

C++ programming

C# programming

Modeling Simulation and Analysis

Modular Open Systems Approach

AI/ML algorithms

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Operations Research

Tools

AFSIM

Job description

Software Engineer/Architect – AFSIM Modeling & Simulation

Overview

Aether Aerospace has an immediate opening for Software Engineer/Architect specializing in Modeling, Simulation and Analysis (MS&A) to support the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maneuver Air, U.S. Army Air Maneuver Battle Lab (AMBL) at Fort Rucker, AL. This role will directly support Army Aviation modernization initiatives by advancing the transition from legacy Modeling, Simulation and Analysis (MS&A) environment to a modernized integrated digital environment (IDE) including tools like the Air Force Synthetic Environment for Integrated Simulation (AFSIM). The selected candidate, working as part of a MS&A team, will help develop next‑generation simulation capabilities as part of the IDE supporting Mission Engineering activities such as operational simulation, experimentation, concept development, mission analysis, and future aviation requirements.

The ideal candidate has strong software development skills, experience with Department of War Modeling & Simulation environments focused around AFSIM and enjoys solving complex engineering problems while working closely with Army engineers, operators, and capability developers.

Roles/Responsibilities

• Support Army Aviation modernization efforts through development and integration of advanced MS&A capabilities utilizing AFSIM as part of an integrated digital environment (IDE).
• Assist Government engineers in transitioning legacy ATCOM models, data, and analytical workflows into AFSIM-based architectures.
• Design, develop, test, and maintain software and hardware components as part of the IDE supporting mission-level simulations, operational analyses, and aviation experimentation.
• Applying AI/ML and other algorithms, develop Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) compliant software modules, plugins and reusable simulation components within AFSIM and other tools. Ensure scalability of software and the IDE.
• Collaborate within-house and external government engineers and subject matter experts to model Army Aviation platforms, sensors, weapons, communications, electronic warfare systems, threat environments, aircraft survivability and operational behaviors.
• Support development of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) and launched effects scenarios and emerging Army aviation operational concepts including implementation in the MS&A environment.
• Participate in mission engineering and mission effectiveness analyses.
• Develop and maintain simulation scenarios supporting concept experimentation, mission analysis, and capability development.
• Participate in software architecture, code reviews, configuration management, and Agile software development activities.
• Integrate new capabilities into the new IDE MS&A environments while ensuring interoperability between Government-directed simulation tools.
• Troubleshoot software and hardware issues, optimize simulation performance, and improve model fidelity.
• Support verification, validation, accreditation, and configuration control activities for AFSIM and other simulation and analysis models and software components to attain and retain Authorization to Operate within the IDE.
• Analyze simulation outputs and communicate technical findings through reports, presentations, and engineering documentation.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including systems engineers and architects, software developers, information technology specialists, military analysts, aviators, and operational users.
• Support prototype development, experimentation events, and technology demonstrations in support of Army Aviation capability development.
• Maintain familiarity with emerging Army Aviation concepts, Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiatives, and evolving operational requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen with an Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Operations Research technical fields.
• Experience developing, integrating, or extending AFSIM or comparable military simulation frameworks.
• Understanding of modular open systems approach software architecture, systems engineering principles, and simulation development lifecycle.
• Experience developing software using C++, C#, or similar object‑oriented programming languages in MOSA compliant applications.
• Experience supporting Modeling Simulation and Analysis software development within a Department of War or aerospace environment.

JHNA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.