The Space Enterprise Design and Optimization Department (SEDOD) is in EED’s Enterprise Design Subdivision (EDS). We bring to bear expertise in a wide variety of fields to tackle tough problems and explore novel ideas, focusing on the performance modeling, analysis, and optimization of orbits, mission architectures, and acquisition portfolios to inform the future of the national space enterprise.  

We are seeking a Project Leader in Modeling & Simulation Engineering to design and execute studies for a portfolio of high-impact projects across the department and division. This leader will direct teams of analysts, providing guidance, structure, and advice while also cultivating technical and leadership skills in the team. Additionally, they will leverage and grow their own domain knowledge by performing space and ground design, optimization, and analysis in support of architecture concept trade studies, requirements verification, and analyses-of-alternatives to meet the most pressing needs of our US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers. 

Work Model 

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA; El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; or Huntsville, AL, offering an in-person work model that combines 4 or more regular onsite workdays per week and remote flexibility as the business needs allow.   

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Leading teams of skilled analysts to conduct technical deep dives, trade studies, and assessments to satisfy project objectives and tasks 

• Independently and collaboratively providing subject matter expertise to program offices and government customers in the areas of space architecture design and optimization, tradespace exploration, and portfolio analysis 

• Coordinating and organizing analysis efforts using modeling and simulation capabilities through a combination of agent-based simulation and multi-objective optimization 

• Planning and executing studies, providing technical insights to customers, and supporting recommendations for customer research, development, and acquisition decisions 

• Helping to sustain, develop, grow, and deploy simulation and analysis capabilities to support new functional areas for a wide-ranging and expanding customer base 

• Supporting workforce development by assisting management with long-range planning, business development, resource acquisition, training, and mentorship 

What You Need to be Successful: Project Leader – Modeling & Simulation Engineering 

Minimum Requirements: 

• B.S. degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering 

• 8+ years of relevant and progressive professional or academic experience  

• Significant history of consistent contribution to multiple technical, analytical, and/or development projects through their successful fruition 

• History of leading teams delivering substantial technical analyses or development efforts in support of customer-driven projects 

• Background in one or more of the following: optimization techniques, orbital mechanics, satellite constellation performance modeling, or satellite orbit access analysis 

• Knowledge of Python, C, C++, Matlab, or another programming language 

• Willing to support occasional travel domestically 

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

How You Can Stand Out 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• A graduate degree in aerospace, astronautical, or mechanical engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field of science or engineering  

• Experience with Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration, and Modeling (AFSIM) or other agent-based simulations  

• Work history in one of these specific national security space or intelligence mission areas: missile warning, tracking, and defense; geo-spatial intelligence; signals intelligence; space surveillance; space protection; ground systems or communications infrastructure supporting defense or intelligence capabilities  

• Thorough knowledge of Intelligence Community or U.S. Department of Defense business practices, acquisition policies, or space mission portfolios 

• Extensive experience producing analyses and communicating results to various sized audiences 

• Prior experience as the lead for matrixed teams with a broad range of skill sets to solve multi-disciplinary challenges 

• Current and active Top-Secret (TS) clearance with SCI access