Senior Python Engineer – Space Modeling and Simulation

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies - collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose - and help shape the future.

Department Summary:

Shape the Future of National Security-Join MITRE and Tackle the Toughest Challenges with Innovation and Impact!

Are you an experienced professional passionate about solving complex challenges to safeguard our nation? At MITRE, you’ll collaborate with top minds in engineering, science, and technology, leveraging cutting-edge research and experimentation to address the nation’s most pressing challenges.

MITRE is a nonprofit systems engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization that operates federally funded R&D centers to deliver deep technical and systems integration, rapid prototype development, and mission-driven innovation in the public interest. Headquarters are in McLean, Virginia and Bedford, Massachusetts are supported by over 60 sites across the U.S. and globe to bring solutions to the field.

MITRE Technology and Engineering Modeling and Analysis (M&A) Division brings together researchers, autonomy engineers, mission specialists, and systems experts to translate advanced research into operationally relevant solutions. M&A is seeking modeling and simulation engineers and operations research analysts to support the operations analysis and complex systems modeling work across MITRE’s national security and public sector missions.

Roles & Responsibilities:

We are seeking an experienced, highly motivated Space Modeling and Simulation Python Engineer to support critical national security missions, such as homeland defense, Space Domain Awareness, orbital warfare, Missile Warning/Tracking/Defense, Space Command and Control, operational test/training, force design, etc. In this role, you will partner with operational stakeholders to develop and apply advanced modeling, simulation, and analytical tools-integrating mathematics, physics, engineering, and programming-to generate actionable insights, analysis tools, and novel data products in support of sponsor, operator, and mission needs.

You will tackle complex, real-world problems at the intersection of technology and national security while expanding your skills through hands-on work. We value curiosity, innovation, and a passion for learning, and we’re looking for candidates who thrive in collaborative, diverse teams and are committed to delivering solutions that make a real impact.

Responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the development, application, and validation of physics-based modeling and simulation tools by providing technical expertise and support.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to refine methodologies and address technical challenges.
• Shape project strategies by identifying and recommending innovative techniques and tools to improve modeling, simulation, and analysis capabilities.
• Conduct applied research to develop, advance, and mature innovative technical concepts and solutions that address emerging Department of War (DoW) priorities and mission challenges.
• Communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders to ensure alignment with mission goals.
• Support collaboration across teams to enhance the effectiveness and scalability of modeling, simulation, and analysis initiatives.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with relevant experience who can immediately contribute at this job step; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Experience with conducting analysis upon large datasets of various formats.
• Professional experience developing and deploying scientific tools using Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).
• Experience with scientific computing libraries, for example: NumPy/Scipy, Pandas/Polars, Numba/Dask/CuPy/CUDA Python, PyTorch/TensorFlow/Keras
• Experience with contributing to large repositories and contemporary DevOps practices.
• Proven experience delivering data-based insights to diverse stakeholder base.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience designing, implementing, integrating and validating computational models.
• Experience with COTS/GOTS simulation and analysis tools, for example:ANSYS Zemax/FLUENT/Mechanical or other FEM-based toolsSTK/GMAT/FreeFlyerAstrodynamics Standards (SAAL)
• Experience with data analysis and data visualization tools or environments
• Experience in space systems modeling and analysis and astrodynamics.
• Experience in collaborative development using AI tools to rapidly analyze data and develop solutions.
• Experience in analysis of complex system of systems architectures, interfaces, data flows, and operational dependencies to identify capability gaps, integration risks, and design tradespace options.
• Experience applying modeling, simulation, or operations analysis to test and evaluation, wargaming, experimentation, or operational planning.
• Hands-on experience in adapting research done in academia and industry to "real-world" challenging data sources and problems sets
• Active DoD Top Secret clearance with access to Secure Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$124,400 - $155,500 - $186,600 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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