Sr. Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer

MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; Herndon (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

Vantor is seeking a Senior Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer to support advanced ISR studies for government and commercial customers. You will lead modeling of satellites, aircraft, sensor systems, mission scenarios, and operational concepts to evaluate performance and inform decisions.

This is a senior technical role requiring leadership of complex analysis, collaboration with customers, and mentoring of junior analysts.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship with active TS/SCI clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.
• 8+ years of professional experience in space systems modeling and simulation.
• Willing to work on-site.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-fidelity modeling and simulation efforts for space, airborne, and ISR studies.
• Engage customers and program leadership to clarify mission needs and translate objectives into plans.
• Define technical approaches, performance measures, scenarios, and acceptance criteria.
• Maintain technical quality through review of models and inputs.
• Standardize workflows, reusable components, automation, verification and documentation.
• Guide execution of large simulation campaigns using cloud and HPC resources.
• Interpret complex results and deliver defensible recommendations.
• Plan and prioritize technical work and advise on scope, schedule, and staffing.
• Lead technical reviews and mentor junior analysts.
• Identify opportunities for future ModSim tool investments.

Skills

Modeling & simulation

Leadership

Customer engagement

Mentoring

High-performance computing

Python scripting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science

Tools

Python

Excel

Job description

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently.

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Citizen. This position requires an active U.S. Government security clearance, applicants who do not currently hold the required clearance will not be eligible for consideration. Employment for cleared roles is contingent upon verification of clearance status. Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Please review the job details below.

Senior Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer

Vantor is seeking a Senior Aerospace Modeling & Simulation Engineer to support advanced ISR studies for government and commercial customers. In this role, you will model satellites, aircraft, sensor systems, mission scenarios, and operational concepts to evaluate performance, explore trade-offs, and inform decisions on future space and airborne capabilities. This is a senior technical role for an engineer who can lead complex modeling and simulation efforts, serve as a trusted technical intermediary with customers, and guide teams from mission need through defensible recommendations. You will shape analysis approaches, lead technical workstreams, strengthen common practices, and mentor less-experienced analysts.

What You’ll Do

• Lead high-fidelity modeling and simulation efforts for complex space, airborne, and ISR architecture studies, system trades, performance assessments, and mission analyses.
• Engage customers and program leadership to clarify mission needs, shape technical solutions, and translate objectives into analysis plans, priorities, and executable work packages.
• Define technical approaches, assumptions, measures of performance and effectiveness, scenario designs, and acceptance criteria for major workstreams.
• Maintain technical quality for assigned efforts through rigorous review of models, inputs, assumptions, methods, outputs, conclusions, and limitations.
• Standardize simulation workflows and advance common modeling approaches, reusable scenario components, automation, verification and validation, and technical documentation.
• Guide efficient execution of large simulation campaigns, including effective use of cloud, distributed, and high-performance computing resources.
• Lead interpretation of complex results, identify cross-project risks and capability gaps, and deliver clear, defensible recommendations to customers and senior decision-makers.
• Plan and prioritize technical work, coordinate multidisciplinary contributors, and advise program leadership on scope, schedule, staffing, and technical risk.
• Lead technical reviews, mentor junior analysts, and promote knowledge sharing and consistent engineering practices.
• Identify opportunities for future investment in ModSim tools, infrastructure, methods, data, and workforce capabilities.

Note: US citizenship and an active TS/SCI clearance are mandatory for this position and required for consideration.

Required

• US Citizenship Required with an active or current TS/SCI clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university, in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.
• 8+ years of professional experience in space systems modeling and simulation, including knowledge of the theory and applications of astrodynamics, remote sensing, spacecraft design, aerospace systems operations, or complex systems integration.
• Willing to work on-site.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Experience with the design, development and software implementation of complex mathematical algorithms.
• Ability to develop standalone engineering tools/scripts via Python and/or Excel.
• Ability to identify, analyze, resolve technical risks and issues, develop technical reports, and collaborate with government and other stakeholders to implement recommended solutions.
• Ability to communicate and establish collaborative relationships with both clients and teammates to achieve program goals.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Highly motivated and dynamic work ethic with a strong desire to contribute to the mission.

Pay Transparency

To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.

• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $140,000.00 - $187,000.00 - $205,700.00 annually.

Benefits

Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers

Application Window

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.

EEO Policy

Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities in compliance with federal and state laws. If you need assistance with the online application or hiring process, please email [e-mail].

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