Senior Defense Technologist

JHNA; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Aether Aerospace, formed by JHNA, CTSi and EXPANSIA, seeks a Senior Defense Technologist to translate complex defense concepts into actionable insights for senior leaders and technical teams in Alexandria, VA.

The role requires TS/SCI (with SAP/CAP eligibility), 7+ years in operations research or mission engineering, and deep knowledge of US Navy, Army, Air Force, and other defense perspectives. You will evaluate technologies and collaborate with MBSE and modeling teams.

Qualifications

• Active TS clearance (SCI and SAP/CAP eligibility) is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics, Computer Science, Management Science, or Physics.
• 7+ years in operations research/mission engineering or related field.
• 3+ years collaborating with diverse teams including engineering, planners, and technologists.
• Broad knowledge across defense technologies and military operational concepts.

Responsibilities

• Conduct wide-ranging research across multiple technology areas (emerging systems, fires, autonomy, AI/ML, sensing, weapons, C3, platform tech).
• Develop cross-Service, cross-domain insights informed by CONOPS, DOTMLPF, and warfighter needs.
• Rapidly evaluate new technologies and assess integration pathways for defense force design.
• Engage with MBSE practitioners and modeling teams to parameterize and implement technologies in analytical tools.
• Collaborate with engineers, program managers, and Service representatives to align assessments with doctrine and acquisition processes.
• Produce concise, technically rigorous analyses for senior leaders and non-technical audiences.
• Provide thought leadership across multi-domain ops and future force concepts.
• Maintain compliance with classification and data handling requirements.

Skills

Top Secret clearance

MBSE familiarity

Modeling & simulation

Cross-service knowledge

Strong communication

Education

Bachelors degree

Tools

Modeling & Simulation tools

Job description

Start Date: Immediate JHNA, CTSi, and EXPANSIA have come together to form a Defense Technology platform named Aether Aerospace focused on delivering high-impact technologies, technology-enabled services and advanced manufacturing solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense and related national security customers. Backed by Falfurrias Management Partners, the platform brings together deep domain expertise across Army, Navy, and Air Force and Space Force programs, digital engineering, systems integration, and specialized manufacturing capabilities.

Overview

Full-time/Permanent Employee

Location: Alexandria, VA

Aether Aerospace is seeking a highly versatile Senior Defense Technologist with broad technical curiosity, strong analytical skills, and deep familiarity with the perspectives, priorities, and operational concepts of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, and other defense organizations. This role is ideal for someone who excels at exploring emerging technologies, rapidly assimilating new technical domains, and translating complex concepts into actionable insights for senior leaders, system engineers, MBSE practitioners, and modeling and simulation teams.

The salary range for this position is: $170,000 - $180,000 a year

There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

Roles

• Conduct wide-ranging research and assessments across multiple technology areas, including emerging systems, fires, autonomy, AI/ML, sensing, weapons, C3, and platform technologies.
• Develop cross-Service, cross-domain technical insights informed by operational context, CONOPS, CONEMPS, DOTMLPF considerations, and warfighter needs.
• Rapidly evaluate new technologies, identify potential military applications, and assess integration pathways within existing or future force designs.
• Engage closely with MBSE practitioners and modeling and simulation teams to determine how technologies should be represented, parameterized, and implemented within analytical tools and models (e.g., system-of-systems simulations, wargames, physics-based models).
• Collaborate with engineers, program managers, operational planners, and Service representatives to ensure technical assessments align with doctrine, acquisition processes, and operational realities.
• Produce concise, technically rigorous analyses for both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders.
• Provide thought leadership across multi-domain operations, future force concepts, and cross-cutting technology trends.
• Maintain compliance with all classification, data handling, and disclosure requirements.

Key Qualifications

Clearance: An active Top Secret (TS) security clearance (with SCI and SAP/CAP eligibility) is required

Education and Years of Experience: Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics, Computer Science, Management Science, or Physics.

• 7+ years of experience in operations research with a focus on mission engineering, systems engineering, or operational analysis.
• 5+ years of experience with mission planning and analysis, including the development or evaluation of mission threads, operational plans (OPLANs), concepts of operations (CONOPS), concepts of employment (CONEMPS), and defense systems.
• 3+ years of experience collaborating with diverse teams including engineering, operational planners, and technologists to accomplish complex tasks. This includes interactions with the Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, Intelligence Community, or 3+ years of working knowledge and experience with modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) techniques to support operational planning, system performance analysis, or mission design in defense contexts.
• 2+ years of experience within the military or defense sector in areas related to joint operations, combat systems, research and development (R&D), science and technology (S&T), or mission planning.
• Broad knowledge across defense technologies, systems engineering principles, and military operational concepts.
• Strong familiarity with USN, USA, USAF, USMC, and Joint perspectives and how each Service approaches domain challenges, acquisition, and problem solving.
• Proven ability to learn and assess new technologies quickly and apply insights within analytical or conceptual frameworks.
• Experience collaborating with MBSE practitioners and M&S modelers; able to communicate technical details in a modeling-relevant manner.
• Technical depth in at least one major domain (e.g., autonomy, electronic warfare, C4ISR, propulsion, cyber, sensors, advanced materials, weapons).
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to distill complex technical topics for diverse audiences.

Aether Aerospace 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.

Salary: $170000.00 - $180000.00 per year