Weapons Effects SME

Noblis; Fort Belvoir (VA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 208,000; Full time

Job summary

Noblis seeks a Weapons Effects SME for high-impact government contracts in Fort Belvoir, VA. You will lead multiphysics modeling and simulation of weapons effects, energetic materials, and high‑fidelity analyses to inform assessments and decisions.

You will collaborate with engineering, scientific, and government teams to develop models, verify results, and communicate findings through reports and briefings. A TS/SCI–level clearance and strong documentation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related STEM field with 8+ years of experience, or Master’s with 6+ years, or PhD with 4+ years in multiphysics modeling and simulation.
• Experience with energetic materials, reactive materials, shock physics, weapons effects, or related defense materials research.
• Experience with experimental and/or computational studies of material behavior under extreme conditions.
• Knowledge of high-strain-rate phenomena, reaction mechanisms, and material response in weapons-effects phenomenology.
• Ability to translate complex technical data into actionable engineering recommendations.
• Experience with laboratory testing, diagnostic equipment, and safe handling of energetic materials.
• Experience supporting validation, verification, qualification, or certification activities.
• Strong documentation and communication skills for reports and briefings.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and analyze high-fidelity modeling and simulation efforts for Weapons Effects Phenomenology (WEP) assessments.
• Perform kinetics modeling and Integrated Munitions Effects Assessments (IMEA) to evaluate weapon effectiveness.
• Support Hard and Deeply Buried Target (HDBT) analysis including functional defeat and vulnerability assessments.
• Develop and refine physics-based models of weapon-target interactions.
• Analyze simulation results and data to assess damage mechanisms and mission effectiveness.
• Conduct model verification, validation, sensitivity, and uncertainty analyses.
• Integrate modeling results with engineering data to support technical recommendations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to address complex weapons-effects challenges.
• Prepare technical docs, reports, and briefings for technical and government stakeholders.

Skills

multiphysics modeling

weapons effects

shock physics

energetic materials

high-strain-rate phenomena

data analysis

technical communication

team collaboration

security clearance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Physics/Applied Physics/Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree with 6+ years experience

PhD with 4+ years experience

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Fortran

Job description

• This position is for upcoming work and is contingent upon task award/funding.
• This will be an onsite position in Fort Belvoir, VA.

We are seeking a talented and motivated Weopons Effects SME in Fort Belovoir, VA. In this role, you will contribute to high-impact government contracts focused on conventional weapons effects, computational structural dynamics, computational fluid dynamics, and multi-spectrum functional defeat modeling.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and analyze high-fidelity modeling and simulation efforts supporting Weapons Effects Phenomenology (WEP) assessments.
• Perform kinetics modeling and Integrated Munitions Effects Assessment (IMEA) to evaluate weapon effectiveness and target response.
• Support Hard and Deeply Buried Target (HDBT) analysis, including functional defeat and target vulnerability assessments.
• Develop and refine physics-based models representing weapon-target interactions and associated effects.
• Analyze simulation results, test data, and engineering information to assess damage mechanisms, system vulnerabilities, and mission effectiveness.
• Conduct model verification, validation, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty assessments to ensure technically defensible results.
• Integrate modeling and simulation results with engineering and operational data to support weapons-effects assessments and technical recommendations.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering, scientific, intelligence, and government teams to address complex weapons-effects and target-analysis challenges.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, presentations, and briefings communicating methodologies, assumptions, results, and recommendations to technical and government stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Physics, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related STEM discipline & 8 years of experience. Will also consider a Master's degree & 6 years of experience, or a PHD & 4 years of experience in multiphysics modeling and simulation, consistent with a journeyman proficiency level
• Experience with energetic materials, reactive materials, shock physics, weapons effects, or other defense-related materials research.
• Experience developing, conducting, or analyzing experimental and/or computational studies of material behavior under extreme conditions.
• Knowledge of high-strain-rate phenomena, reaction mechanisms, material response, or related weapons-effects phenomenology.
• Experience using experimental results to develop, validate, or improve predictive modeling and simulation capabilities.
• Familiarity with laboratory testing, specialized diagnostic equipment, and safe handling/testing of energetic or hazardous materials.
• Experience supporting technical validation, verification, qualification, or certification activities.
• Ability to analyze complex technical data and translate findings into actionable engineering or program recommendations.
• Strong technical documentation and communication skills, including preparation of reports, analyses, and technical briefings.
• Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering, scientific, modeling, and government teams supporting national security or DoD programs.
• US Citizen with a Top Secret / SCI security clearance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to document and present technical findings clearly to both technical and programmatic audiences.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with conventional munitions, terminal ballistics, or weapons effects modeling in a DoW or DOE-related program environment
• Familiarity with multi-spectrum target defeat analysis or vulnerability/lethality (V/L) assessments
• Experience working within a government contracting environment, including adherence to SOW deliverables, CDRLs, and program schedules
• Proficiency in scripting or programming languages (Python, MATLAB, or Fortran) for pre/post-processing and automation of simulation workflows

Overview

Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI and Noblis MSD, take on some of the nation’s toughest challenges, delivering advanced solutions to our customers’ most critical missions. We bring together leading scientific, engineering, and management expertise in a culture grounded in objectivity and collaboration, ensuring our work creates lasting impact across federal missions.

We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org

Why Work at Noblis

At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission‑driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.

Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well‑being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug‑free workplace.

Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.

EEO is the Law | E-Verify | Right to Work

Total Rewards

At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well‑being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.

Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionally adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package.

Posted Salary Range

USD $132,900.00 - USD $207,750.00 /Yr.