Systems Engineer - IR Plume Production

Caribou Thunder; Colorado Springs (CO); Sur place; USD 100 000 - 117 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Caribou Thunder is seeking a Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer II specializing in Infrared (IR) Plume Modeling and Simulation for the Threat Systems Engineering mission. This onsite role supports high-fidelity threat models and simulations used by MDA and BMDS, including data engineering, validation, and troubleshooting across Linux-based environments.

You will develop scripts in Python, MATLAB, C++, and related tools, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and travel up to 10% as

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with approximately 2 years of technical experience, or a Master's with 0–2 years.
• Active, current, and in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance at the time of application.
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or other scripting languages.
• Foundational understanding of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, and molecular spectroscopy.
• Foundational understanding of data analysis, data validation, and scientific computing concepts.
• Basic conceptual understanding of flight dynamics and aerodynamics.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, including the ability to investigate complex technical issues and identify root causes.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to verify large, complex technical datasets.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet schedules, and work effectively within collaborative engineering teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10%.

Responsabilités

• Develop, validate, and sustain high-fidelity threat modeling and simulation products supporting MDA and BMDS mission requirements.
• Perform data engineering and validation activities involving large-scale, multidimensional datasets generated by modeling and simulation tools.
• Analyze simulated infrared signature and plume data and validate results against measured test data, flight data, and applicable engineering references.
• Apply foundational knowledge of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, molecular spectroscopy, flight dynamics, and aerodynamics to evaluate modeling results.
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot scripts and analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, C++, or other applicable programming languages.
• Investigate simulation failures through systematic root-cause analysis, isolating potential issues involving input data, software defects, model configurations, or computational environments.
• Review simulation logs, console outputs, error messages, and stack traces to identify failures in simulation execution and data conversion processes.
• Conduct detailed data verification to identify anomalies, inconsistencies, and silent failures that may produce mathematically or physically incorrect results.

Connaissances

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Formation

B.S. in STEM

M.S. (0–2 yrs)

Outils

MODTRAN

JANNAF radiative codes

Linux

Description du poste

Back Systems Engineer - IR Plume Production
Engineering Colorado Springs , Colorado Direct Hire Nov 3, 2026

Systems Engineer– IR Plume Production

Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, CO | Salary: $100,000 - $117,000| Active Secret Clearance Required | 100% Onsite

Caribou Thunder is seeking a Modeling & Simulation Systems Engineer II specializing in Infrared (IR) Plume Modeling and Simulation to support the Threat Systems Engineering (TSE) mission supporting MDA modernization efforts. This position supports the development, validation, and sustainment of high-fidelity threat models and simulations used by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS).

The successful candidate will apply scripting, data engineering, scientific analysis, and troubleshooting skills to support IR signature modeling, simulated data production, and verification activities. Working with multidisciplinary engineering teams, you will analyze large technical datasets, validate simulation outputs against measured test and flight data, and investigate complex software and modeling issues. This is an onsite position at Schriever Space Force Base with no remote or hybrid work option.

A Day in the Life – What you’ll do

• Support the development, integration, testing, and sustainment of high-fidelity threat modeling and simulation products supporting MDA and BMDS mission requirements.

• Perform data engineering and validation activities involving large-scale, multidimensional datasets generated by modeling and simulation tools.

• Analyze simulated infrared signature and plume data and validate results against measured test data, flight data, and applicable engineering references.

• Apply foundational knowledge of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, molecular spectroscopy, flight dynamics, and aerodynamics to evaluate modeling results.

• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot scripts and analysis tools using Python, MATLAB, C++, or other applicable programming languages.

• Investigate simulation failures through systematic root-cause analysis, isolating potential issues involving input data, software defects, model configurations, or computational environments.

• Debug legacy and custom software tools, including undocumented scripts and in-house applications, to identify errors and restore expected functionality.

• Review simulation logs, console outputs, error messages, and stack traces to identify failures in simulation execution and data conversion processes.

• Conduct detailed data verification to identify anomalies, inconsistencies, and silent failures that may produce mathematically or physically incorrect results.

• Evaluate simulation outputs for accuracy, completeness, and consistency with expected physical and engineering behavior.

• Support data production, analysis, and maintenance activities across the TSE software baseline.

• Work within Linux-based computational environments to execute modeling tools, analyze results, and support distributed processing activities.

• Collaborate with modeling, simulation, software, and systems engineering teams to resolve technical issues and deliver accurate, validated products.

• Document technical findings, analysis results, software issues, and corrective actions to support engineering reviews and program deliverables.

• Coordinate task execution and deliverables within established schedules and timelines while prioritizing competing technical requirements.

• Travel up to 10% as needed to support program and business requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM discipline with approximately 2 years of technical experience, or a Master's degree with 0–2 years of technical experience.

• Active, current, and in-scope U.S. Government Secret security clearance at the time of application.

• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or other scripting languages.

• Foundational understanding of aerothermodynamics, radiative transfer, fluid dynamics, and molecular spectroscopy.

• Foundational understanding of data analysis, data validation, and scientific computing concepts.

• Basic conceptual understanding of flight dynamics and aerodynamics.

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, including the ability to investigate complex technical issues and identify root causes.

• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to verify large, complex technical datasets.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to prioritize tasks, meet schedules, and work effectively within collaborative engineering teams.

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Optical Sciences, or a related STEM discipline.

• Strong mathematics, physics, or engineering background.

• Experience with modeling and simulation development, execution, analysis, or automation.

• Experience working with atmospheric modeling codes such as MODTRAN.

• Experience with JANNAF radiative signature codes.

• Experience working in Linux-based distributed computational environments.

• Experience validating simulated data against measured test, experimental, or flight data.

• Experience handling large-scale, multidimensional technical datasets.

• Experience debugging scientific software, legacy scripts, and custom engineering tools using Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar languages.

• Familiarity with infrared signature modeling, missile plume characterization, radiative transfer, or atmospheric effects modeling.

Work Environment

This position is located at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado and requires daily onsite attendance. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available.

Who is Caribou Thunder?

Caribou Thunder is a HUBZone-certified small business providing advanced technical and engineering services to the U.S. Department of War and its mission partners. 35+ states and 20+ countries. We’ve delivered trusted solutions for over two decades — strengthening national readiness across missions on land, undersea, in the air, and throughout LEO, MEO, GEO, and deep space.

Why Caribou Thunder?

TEAM THUNDER — Mission Focused. Delivery Proven. Ready to Serve.

Employee Advocacy Mission Proven Global Reach Skilled Teams Modern Tools Empowering Culture

Our engineers and innovators ensure capability from sea floor to space frontier — delivering on time, maintaining compliance, and performing with precision in high-consequence environments.

We specialize in Engineering Services, Cybersecurity, Software Development, Modeling & Simulation, Digital Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence — disciplines powering the nation’s most complex technical missions.

Employee Advocacy + Benefits

Our people are the heart of Caribou Thunder. We invest in their growth, flexibility, and well-being — knowing their success drives ours.

• Premium Health, Dental & Vision Insurance

• 401(k) with 6% Company Match

• Flexible PTO & Work Schedule

• Education & Certification Reimbursement

• Support for Military Leave

• Work–Life Balance & Traditional Family Values

Your future, your flexibility, your well-being — we invest in you.