Senior Defense Technologist – Modeling and Simulation

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Senior Defense Technologist – Modeling & Simulation. This role plays a crucial part in providing advanced modeling and simulation support, enabling better decision-making for military capabilities.

With a focus on creating a coherent M&S architecture, the ideal candidate will have at least 15 years of experience, a Master's degree in a technical field, and an active Top Secret security clearance. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in modeling and simulation architectures.
• Experience leading integration efforts in classified environments.
• Ability to design data structures and workflows.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of M&S architecture frameworks.
• Define architectural requirements from mission objectives.
• Collaborate with teams to align architecture components.

Skills

Modeling and simulation architectures

Systems engineering methods

Analytical frameworks

Technical documentation

Quantitative mission analysis

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in relevant technical disciplines

Doctoral degree preferred

Job description

MTSI is seeking a Senior Defense Technologist – Modeling & Simulation (SDT-M&S) will serve as a senior technical architecture integrator within OUSW(R&E), providing advanced modeling, simulation, and analytic architecture support. The role focuses on building an integrated analytical environment (e.g., models, data structures, workflows, assumptions, and governance) that supports evaluation of new capabilities and investment decisions. Your work will shape the analytical backbone MEIA uses to improve how the Department evaluates new concepts and capabilities. By developing a coherent MEIA M&S architecture, you will enable more timely, evidence-based acquisition decisions and strengthen mission focused capability integration.

This position is located in the National Capital Region (NCR). You’ll be a great fit for this role if: You can think architecturally—connecting models, tools, data, workflows, and mission engineering processes into a coherent whole. You enjoy working in environments that require both technical precision and operational awareness. You excel at designing structures that improve analytical rigor, transparency, and repeatability. You communicate complex architectural ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. You are energized by contributing to acquisition reform through better analytical foundations.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maturation of MEIA’s M&S architecture, including frameworks, taxonomies, data standards, and integration patterns.
• Define and document architectural requirements derived from mission engineering objectives, operational needs, and analytical workflows.
• Identify, integrate, and align analytical tools, modeling environments, and data sources supporting MEIA’s mission engineering processes.
• Ensure M&S architectural components support defensible decision-making, traceability of assumptions, and repeatable analysis.
• Develop model governance structures, version control approaches, and analytic quality standards.
• Collaborate with technical teams to align architecture components with operational constructs, mission threads, and capability concepts.
• Lead technical reviews of architecture components, integration plans, model assumptions, and data structures.
• Support scenario development, mission engineering decomposition, and architecture to analysis mapping.
• Communicate architectural insights, integration findings, and modernization recommendations to senior DoW leadership.
• Maintain compliance with all classification, data handling, and disclosure requirements.

Qualifications Required

Minimum 15 years of experience with emphasis on:

• Developing or integrating modeling and simulation architectures, analytical frameworks, or system-of-systems analytical environments.
• Applying mission engineering, operations research, or systems engineering methods to evaluate military capabilities.
• Leading complex analytical or technical integration efforts within classified DoW environments.
• Designing data structures, workflows, or toolchains supporting quantitative mission analysis.
• Translating operational concepts and mission level problems into structured analytical constructs.
• Supporting capability development, concept maturation, or acquisition processes with analytical products.
• Producing high-quality technical documentation and senior-level briefings.

Education

Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or related technical disciplines requiring modeling, simulation, and analysis. Doctoral/Terminal degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline requiring modeling, simulation, and analysis (preferred).

Even better if you have these desired skills

• Experience transitioning efforts across the lifecycle.
• Military Service Staff/Headquarters, Joint Staff, or similar level analytical experience.
• Demonstrated ability to connect tactical, operational, and strategic considerations into coherent recommendations.
• Experience architecting M&S ecosystems that integrate disparate models, tools, datasets, or mission engineering products.
• Strong systems engineering grounding, especially in decomposition, requirements development, and architecture modeling.
• Knowledge of enterprise M&S frameworks, standards, and best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to work across technical and operational communities to align processes and architectures.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills in integrated government–contractor teams.
• Strong quantitative reasoning and ability to collaborate with M&S and campaign analysis personnel.

Clearance Requirements

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