Modeling & Simulation Engineer

Waypoint Human Capital; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Waypoint Human Capital is seeking a Modeling & Simulation Engineer to support a critical government client in Chantilly, VA. The role focuses on developing end-to-end models, automating scenario generation, and evaluating ISR constellation performance using Python and AFSIM.

The candidate will create phenomenological models, work with atmospheric radiative transfer tools, and assess space environment impacts on payloads, aiming for robust verification and analysis in aerospace systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field required.
• 5+ years of modeling and simulation experience in aerospace.
• Strong proficiency in Python programming.
• Familiarity with AFSIM or similar tools.
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics and space systems.
• Experience with BRDF, thermal emissions, and RCS modeling.
• Experience with atmospheric models (MODTRAN/LibRadtran).

Responsibilities

• Define modeling requirements from user needs and system architecture.
• Develop models of the end-to-end phenomenology chain, including generating BRDF and thermal effects.
• Oversee mission-level simulation to assess ISR constellation performance.
• Conduct trade studies on future ISR constellations.
• Assess space environment impacts on payload performance and RF signatures.
• Use Python for modeling, data analysis, and simulation execution.
• Leverage AFSIM for analysis and performance prediction.

Skills

Python

AFSIM

Orbital mechanics

Phenomenological models

RCS modeling

BRDF & thermal modeling

MODTRAN/LibRadtran

Background modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering (preferred)

Tools

MODTRAN

LibRadtran

AWS

Azure

AFSIM

Job description

Position Title: Modeling & Simulation Engineer

Position Type: Full-time; Onsite

Position Location: Chantilly, VA

Clearance Required: Active TS/SCI CI Poly

Waypoint’s client is seeking a highly motivated and skilled Modeling & Simulation Engineer to join their team supporting a critical government client. This position offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects within the aerospace domain.

Responsibilities

• Define modeling requirements from user needs and system architecture and develop scripts to automate scenario modeling and performance analysis.
• Develop models of the end-to-end phenomenology chain, including generating complex EO/IR target signatures (BRDF, thermal), modeling atmospheric radiative transfer using tools like MODTRAN, and integrating realistic cloud clutter and terrain backgrounds.
• Oversee mission-level simulation to assess ISR constellation performance.
• Conduct trade studies on future ISR constellations.
• Assess the resilience of specificized ISR architecture; model the space environment's impact on payload performance, including radiation effects on focal plane arrays, and analyze the vulnerability of established PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) systems to RF interference.
• Utilize Python for model development, data analysis, and simulation execution.
• Leverage AFSIM (or similar aerospace simulation software) for analysis and performance prediction.
• Incorporate phenomenological modeling principles into relevant models and simulations.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Poly.
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in modeling and simulation, preferably within the aerospace industry.
• Strong proficiency in Python programming.
• Familiarity with AFSIM or similar aerospace simulation tools.
• Solid understanding of orbital mechanics and space systems.
• Experience with phenomenological models, including a demonstrated ability to model relevant physical phenomena and validate those models.
• Experience modeling solar illumination effects, thermal emissions, Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) for material identification, and temperature dynamics of a target.
• Experience modeling Radar Cross Section (RCS) for various frequencies and polarizations, and the signatures of active RF emitters.
• Experience with atmospheric models (like MODTRAN or LibRadtran) to simulate absorption, scattering, turbulence (seeing effects), and path radiance.
• Experience generating realistic backgrounds, including Earth limb radiance, cloud clutter models, terrain-specific thermal and optical properties, and celestial backgrounds (stars, zodiacal light).
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with other simulation tools and programming languages.
• Experience with non-cooperative target tracking.
• Experience with collection & revisit modeling.
• Experience modeling the dynamics of rapid slewing and settling of the spacecraft bus and pointing systems.
• Demonstrated experience modeling the end-to-end Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) chain.
• Knowledge of cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure).

*Waypoint Human Capital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.