Modeling Simulation Engineer Operations Analysis

HIKINEX; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and equity package

Comprehensive healthcare coverage

401(k) matching

PTO flexibility

Relocation assistance

Job summary

HIKINEX in the Greater Los Angeles area seeks a Modeling & Simulation Engineer to support operational analysis and mission effectiveness studies. The role involves executing simulations to evaluate defense systems like sensors and missiles.

The ideal candidate has a strong analytical background, 5+ years in defense or aerospace, and experience with simulation tools like AFSIM and MATLAB. A competitive compensation package, healthcare, and relocation assistance are offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in defense, aerospace, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of mission analysis and operational kill chains.
• Experience with operational simulation tools and statistical analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze mission-level modeling and simulation studies.
• Evaluate system performance in defense scenarios.
• Develop Python/MATLAB tools for automation and data analysis.

Skills

Analytical capability

Statistical experience

Simulation software experience

Python programming

MATLAB programming

Operational analysis

Collaboration skills

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant technical discipline

Tools

AFSIM

ESAMS

STK

Brawler

Job description

Location: The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA (Onsite)

If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity or beginning the interview process, feel free to connect directly via LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ra...

Modeling & Simulation Engineer – Operations Analysis

An advanced defense technology company is seeking a Modeling & Simulation Engineer to support operational analysis, mission effectiveness studies, and system performance evaluation across next-generation defense and aerospace programs.

This role focuses on building and executing high-fidelity simulations that help evaluate sensors, communications systems, missiles, aircraft, autonomous systems, and mission-level engagements in operationally relevant scenarios.

The ideal candidate combines strong analytical and statistical capability with hands-on simulation experience and a deep understanding of mission systems, kill chains, and operational environments.

This is a highly technical role suited for engineers who thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy solving complex defense and mission-analysis problems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, execute, and analyze mission-level modeling and simulation studies
• Evaluate system performance and operational effectiveness across complex defense scenarios
• Build and refine models for sensors, communications systems, aircraft, autonomous systems, missiles, and other mission assets
• Perform operational analysis using simulation environments such as AFSIM, ESAMS, STK, Brawler, or equivalent mission-level frameworks
• Apply rigorous statistical analysis methods to simulation outputs to quantify effectiveness, identify trends, and support decision-making
• Develop Python- and/or MATLAB-based tools for simulation automation, data processing, visualization, and analysis
• Support modeling efforts spanning radar performance, weapon employment, tracking, guidance, and engagement analysis
• Create technical reports, visualizations, briefing materials, and operational assessments for technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Collaborate closely with engineering, systems, and customer-facing teams to translate operational questions into analytical studies
• Maintain software development best practices including version control, reproducibility, and scalable workflows

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Data Science, or related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience supporting defense, aerospace, intelligence, or advanced technology programs
• Strong understanding of mission analysis, weapon employment concepts, or operational kill chains
• Experience with one or more operational simulation tools such as:
• AFSIM
• ESAMS
• STK
• Brawler
• Physics-based simulation environments
• Strong Python and/or MATLAB programming skills for scientific computing and analysis
• Solid statistical analysis and data interpretation capability
• Experience building analytical workflows, simulations, or mission-level studies with minimal oversight
• Strong understanding of physics, kinematics, and system-level interactions in operational environments
• Comfortable working in Linux-based environments and developing scalable analysis tools
• U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance required

Preferred Experience

• Radar performance analysis and sensor effectiveness modeling
• Missile systems, guidance, tracking, or engagement analysis
• Modeling and simulation of aircraft, autonomous systems, spacecraft, or communications systems
• Operations analysis or mission engineering experience within defense organizations or government programs
• Familiarity with Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), SIMDIS, VR-Forces, or related visualization environments
• Experience with software-in-the-loop simulation, autonomy systems, or guidance/navigation/control frameworks
• Experience supporting DoD, DARPA, AFRL, ONR, intelligence community, or related government programs
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Familiarity with machine learning workflows, GPU acceleration, or advanced scientific computing libraries is a plus

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

This role offers the opportunity to help build a new operational analysis and modeling capability within a rapidly growing advanced defense environment.

The team is looking for engineers who can bridge rigorous analytical thinking with practical mission understanding — people who understand not only how to build simulations, but also how to interpret operational outcomes and identify what truly matters in mission execution.

You’ll work on technically challenging problems spanning sensors, weapons, autonomous systems, and mission-level performance evaluation in support of high-impact national security programs.

Additional Information

• Competitive compensation and equity package
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage
• 401(k) matching
• PTO flexibility
• Relocation assistance may be available
• Full-time onsite collaboration environment
• U.S. citizenship required due to security and export control requirements